Livio Orazio Valentini: An Artist's Spiritual Odyssey Hardcover – April 1, 2018

"This much anticipated book, teeming with magnificent color illustrations, pays tribute to one of Italy's prominent modern artists, who transformed wartime suffering into an affirmation of the human spirit. A biography of both an individual and a nation, Alexander and Elliott's work celebrates the bonds of friendship that unite two cultural centers, Orvieto in central Italy and Aiken, South Carolina."―Robert Neuman, Florida State University

"This is a marvelous book about a man, an artist: Livio Orazio Valentini of Orvieto, Italy. It tells of his journey through life, including his time as a prisoner of war during WWII, his own spiritual growth and how his paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints are a reflection of this legacy. As well, it is the story of his special relationship with the community of Aiken, SC and of Livio's appreciation of Luca Signorelli and his fresco cycle in the Orvieto Cathedral, which he adapted into his own works and writings. Written in an approachable, intimate style, this book makes an important contribution to art history and culture by bringing Livio to the world. It is a compelling work of which the authors should be proud."―Katherine McIver, professor emerita of art history

"This splendidly illustrated study mines primary sources and numerous interviews tracing the trajectory of Valentini's odyssey from the cruelty of Buchenwald to the gentility of Aiken, South Carolina. An important contribution to contemporary studies, this book presents not only the artist's biography and legacy but also a triumph of the human spirit."―Debra Murphy, University of North Florida

"Alexander and Elliott have achieved an informative, vividly illustrated biography and art historical study of post-modern painter Livio Orazio Valentini. A beloved artist, whose talent, honesty, and wit are palpable, Valentini's exceptional and heartfelt impact on the University of South Carolina Aiken conveys the significant benefit of comingling European and American visual arts culture."―Deborah C. Pollack, author and art historian, Palm Beach, Florida

Robert E. Alexander earned a bachelor's degree in political science, a master's of divinity from Duke University, and a doctorate in higher education from the University of South Carolina. He also attended the Management Program at Harvard Business School. Alexander retired from the University of South Carolina Aiken after seventeen years as chancellor and more than thirty-four years as a professor and administrator.

John A. Elliott earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Latin from Indiana State University and a doctorate in humanities from Florida State University. His research has been published in the journal Studi Etruschi. Elliott is a professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina Aiken, having retired after teaching art history for twenty-six years.

Erika Pauli Bizzarri, who offered editorial assistance on this volume, has worked as a research and translation assistant on countless volumes including McGraw Hill's English edition of Encyclopedia of World Art. She taught art history at Gonzaga University in Florence, Italy.