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288 BOOK REVIEWS tive of Clement's efforts and only S. Clemente has survived intact. The less comprehensive projects at S. Teodoro, the Pantheon, S. Maria Egiziaca, S. Maria in Trastevere, S. Maria Maggiore, and S. Crisogono exhibit the same preservationist approach. Around 1705-1706 Clement turned his attention to the dilapidated chapel of Pope Saint Fabian at S. Sebastiano fuori le mura. Begun as a pietistic restoration , it later became die Albani family sepulchral chapel. Typically such chapels were located in the heart of Rome in churches of high visibility. Throughout his reign Clement de-emphasized familial associations in his projects . Although the Albani coats-of-arms are present, they are often located in an inconspicuous position. Moreover, as a pilgrimage church, S. Sebastiano had the proper pedigree. St. Fabian also appealed to Clement, because his history embodied the theme ofpapal absolutism and the predecence ofpopes over secular rulers. This theme was later taken up in more obvious form in die equestrian statue of Charlemagne in die narthex of St. Peter's. Johns ends with a discussion ofthe urban projects in which Clement stressed continuity from ancient to modern times, beautified the city, and provided for the public good. With the exception of the Porta di Ripetta, a project in which Clement took little personal interest, he did not create new urban spaces. He eidier reclaimed or regularized existing squares, in two cases adding fountains. However, he did prepare the way for the construction ofthe Spanish Stairs as a papal initiative. Johns also discusses the triumphal arch portico in the courtyard of the Conservators' Palace on the Capitoline Hill, which commemorates victories over the Turks by the Holy League in this chapter, although it is not strictly speaking an urban project. In conclusion, changed political circumstances forced Clement XI to reassess the position of Rome vis-à-vis Europe. The city itself became his most powerful ally in his attempt to re-establish papal hegemony in die political, spiritual, and cultural spheres. By preserving precious remains of the past and sponsoring rigorous scholarship, among other activities, he refocused papal patronage on the glorification of die institution itself. This was perhaps his most important and enduring reform, one which had important ramifications not only for the art and scholarship of his times, but also for developments of the second half of the century. Cathie C. Kelly University ofNevada, Las Vegas Storia delta Congregazione del Santissimo Redentore. Vol. I: Le Origini (1732—1793)· Edited by Francesco Chiovaro, C.SS.R. [Studia et Monumenta Congregationis SS. Redemptoris, series prima: Historia Congregationis , Vol. I.] (Rome: Edizioni Rogate. 1993. Pp. 627. Lire 80,000.) The Redemptorist order founded by St. Alfonso de' Liguori in the Kingdom of Naples in die early eighteenth century has long lacked a history corre- BOOK REVIEWS 289 sponding to the standards of modern scholarship. This first volume, covering the origins to 1793, of a projected comprehensive and collectively authored official account edited by Francesco Chiovaro avoids many of the expected pitfalls of a work of this kind. It is not written entirely from within the order nor entirely for the order's benefit, even though the latter may have been the original intent. It relies not only on die chronicle tradition discussed by Chiovaro in his introduction, but also on an impressive number of letter collections and archival sources, including the numerous complex versions of rule and constitution discussed in separate chapters by Sabatino Majorano and Frabriciano Ferrero. Furthermore, this book directly confronts some of the most controversial issues about the order's founding. For instance, it attempts to explain the role of the Neapolitan Chinese missionary college and founder Mateo Ripa in influencing Alfonso's ideas. It attempts to define the precise role of Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa, the Neapolitan mystic whose visions led to the founding of the female order and later became highly controversial reference points for the male one. It attempts to explain the roles of Tommaso Falcoia and Vincenzo Mannarini, whose plans, respectively, for big convents and urban missions collided with Liguori's desire to live in the midst of a rural flock. Indeed, in discussing these issues, the authors have deliberately steered clear of...

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