Books by John Varriano

Art history, food history and cultural history in print.

Books by John Varriano

John Varriano works as an art historian, food historian, author and artist. Across his published volumes he examines Italian Baroque and Rococo architecture, the art of Caravaggio, the links between food and art in Renaissance Italy, the cultural history of wine, and Edward Lear's years in Malta. A number of these titles have been reissued in revised editions or translated into other languages.

Book cover from John Varriano's published works
A sampling of Varriano's published books
Cover of an art history book by John Varriano
Titles on art history
Cover of a food and art history book by John Varriano
Food and art in Renaissance Italy
Cover of a book on wine culture by John Varriano
Wine: A Cultural History
Cover of Edward Lear in Malta by John Varriano
Edward Lear in Malta
Book cover image from John Varriano's bibliography
A featured publication

Published Works and Editions

  • Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture — Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford, 1986; translated as Arquitectura italiana del Barocco al Rococó, Alianza Editorial, Madrid, 1990.
  • Rome, A Literary Companion — John Murray Ltd, London, 1991; revised editions from St. Martin's Press, New York, 1995; Penguin Books, London, 2001; and Chameleon Books, Chesterfield, MA, 2007.
  • Caravaggio: The Art of Realism — The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, 2006, 2010.
  • Tastes and Temptations: Food and Art in Renaissance Italy — University of California Press, Berkeley, 2009.
  • Wine: A Cultural History — Reaktion Books, London / University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2010; translated as Vino: tra storia e cultura, Odoya srl, Bologna, 2011.
  • Edward Lear in Malta — Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Valletta, 2014; distributed by Book Distributors Limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books has John Varriano written?
His bibliography includes Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture (Oxford University Press, 1986), Rome, A Literary Companion (John Murray, 1991), Caravaggio: The Art of Realism (The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2006, 2010), Tastes and Temptations: Food and Art in Renaissance Italy (University of California Press, 2009), Wine: A Cultural History (Reaktion Books / University of Chicago Press, 2010), and Edward Lear in Malta (Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, 2014).
Have any of these books been translated into other languages?
Yes. Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture appeared in Spanish as Arquitectura italiana del Barocco al Rococó (Alianza Editorial, Madrid, 1990), and Wine: A Cultural History was published in Italian as Vino: tra storia e cultura (Odoya srl, Bologna, 2011).
Which of his books have appeared in revised editions?
Rome, A Literary Companion has been reissued in revised editions by St. Martin's Press (New York, 1995), Penguin Books (London, 2001), and Chameleon Books (Chesterfield, MA, 2007).
Do his books cover both art history and food history?
Yes. His work ranges across art history — including Baroque and Rococo architecture and Caravaggio — as well as food and gastronomic history, as shown in Tastes and Temptations and Wine: A Cultural History.
Where can I find out more about his articles and lectures?
Visit the Articles and Lectures pages, or read the Art historian and gastronomic historian page for background.

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Head back to the home page to learn more about John Varriano's work as an art historian, food historian, author and artist.

Articles Lectures Art Historian and Gastronomic Historian

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Each volume reflects Varriano's dual focus on visual culture and culinary history, from Baroque and Rococo buildings to the place of food and wine in Italian life. Use the links below to explore his articles, lectures and background.