Book review of: Margaretha Rossholm Lagerlöf, Fate, Glory, and Love in Early Modern Gallery Decoration: Visualizing Supreme Power (Ashgate, 2013), in: Renaissance Quarterly 68/1, Spring 2015, 259-261 (original) (raw)

Margaretha Rossholm Lagerl€ of's study focuses on the decorations of four significant galleries from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, examining their role as visual manifestations of sovereign power. Through in-depth analysis, Lagerl€ of presents interpretations and 'webs of allusions' that explore the intended meanings and the viewers' perceptions, although some interpretations diverge notably from established scholarship. The review critiques the balance between Lagerl€ of's personal insights and the historical context of the artworks, raising questions about the validity and implications of her conclusions.