149 Paintings You Really Should See in Europe — Rome and Vatican City. Julian Porter

This chapter from Julian Porter’s essential companion to all the major European museums and galleries discusses some of the greatest paintings to be found in the museums and galleries of Rome and the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel. His passion for art began with the seven years he spent as a student tour guide in Europe. In this segment he discusses works by masters such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael. In the usually pretentious arena of art connoisseurs, Porter’s voice stands out as fresh and original. He finds the best of the best, which he describes with entertaining irreverence, and spares you hours of sore feet and superfluous information.