Introducing... Loyd Grossman
‘Introducing…’ is our online interview series to introduce you to some of the amazing authors we’re working with and the brilliant books they have coming up!
While previous instalments of this series have focused on up-and-coming writers such as Scarlett Sabet, John Marrs and Natalia Borges Polesso, today’s Introducing… turns to household name Loyd Grossman, who has followed his 2015 book on the 18th century American painter Benjamin West with an incredible study of the art and architecture of Baroque Rome in An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, the Pope and the Making of the Eternal City (Pallas Athene, July 2020).
Loyd recently took some time to talk to us about his new book, his career in writing, arts and heritage, and much more.
Introducing… Loyd Grossman
Welcome! To start with, could you tell us a little bit about yourself…
I live in London and spend as much time as possible in Italy. I was educated as a historian at Boston University, the London School of Economics and Magdalene College, Cambridge. Beginning when I was eighteen, I began writing a lot for the music press including Rolling Stone and after failing as a rock guitarist, I went back into journalism and from there to television where I was lucky enough to be involved with two hugely successful shows- Through the Keyhole and MasterChef. I have never lost my interest in history and since the mid 1990’s have been heavily involved in a number of organisations related to the arts and heritage among them English Heritage, National Museums Liverpool, The Churches Conservation Trust and The Heritage Alliance. I am now proud to be Chairman of The Royal Parks.
An Elephant in Rome is out 30th July 2020. In your own words, could you give us an overview of the book?
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the most celebrated artist in seventeenth century Europe and thanks to the friendship and patronage of a number of popes he was able to transform Rome into one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In particular, An Elephant in Rome looks at the intense creative relationship he had with the aesthetic and intellectual Pope Alexander VII.
What was your inspiration for the book…
Rome is an endlessly fascinating city and I wanted to satisfy my own curiosity about why it looks the way it does.
How did you find the writing process? Do you work to a set schedule?
I am a constant reader and thanks to my education absolutely love research. When I’m seriously stuck into writing, I spend three or four hours most mornings, writing in a library away from the distractions of my iPhone and my guitars. Writing is hard work, but I have always loved it.
‘Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the most celebrated artist in seventeenth century Europe … he was able to transform Rome into one of the most beautiful cities in the world.’
What are you most excited about for the launch of the book?
Everything.
The pandemic has had a profound impact on people around the world. How has it been for you personally?
For those of us fortunate enough not to have actually got the bug and with access to outdoor space, lockdown has been of course weird, but an interesting chance to do less and to think more. But I’m conscious that it’s been a frightening and disturbing experience for many. I also don’t know how long it will take us to emerge from the wreckage of the economy and the terrible damage that’s done to the aspirations of so many young people.
‘Writing is hard work, but I have always loved it.’
And finally, can you tell us what you’ve got on your own reading list?
At the moment, I am enjoying The Bells of Old Tokyo by Anna Sherman, Balzac’s Old Goriot and The Complete Essays of Michel de Montaigne a sixteenth century French writer who had ideas and opinions about everything!
An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, the Pope and the Making of the Eternal City by Loyd Grossman is published on 30 July by Pallas Athene. For more information, visit: http://www.loyd-grossman.com/
For all media enquiries please contact Ashton Bainbridge at Ashtonb@fmcm.co.uk.
