Elizabeth Lev

Elizabeth Lev is an art historian, cultural correspondent and lecturer based in Rome, Italy, where she has resided since 1990. She is an internationally-renown lecturer and author who provides a unique insight into the grand masterpieces of Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical art, and connects this with church teachings and other important aspects of the Catholic faith.

Born and raised in Chicago, Lev received her Ph.D. in art history at the Institute of Fine Arts in New York City before relocating to Rome. In the early 2000s, she began writing and lecturing extensively on the subject of Vatican art and its relationship to the Catholic faith, and the results of her work have been published in a variety of books, magazines and online sources.

Lev’s books include numerous conversations and interviews with major figures from the art world as well as religious guidance from top-ranking Catholic leaders. In 2001, she wrote her first book, By His Grace and For His Glory: A Historical, Vintage and Theological Commentary on the Papal Court Presence in the Vatican and Its Art. In this work she expertly blends her knowledge of art history with insights from her conversations with Roman authorities and high-ranking priests, providing a unique perspective of the inner workings of the Papal Court and the motivations behind some of the most groundbreaking works of art created in modern times.

Lev’s 2009 book, Bartholomew and the Pope: The Life and Adventure of a Renaissance Artist, takes readers on a journey to explore the life and work of Michelangelo Buonarroti, up close. This captivating book follows the 15th-century artist's travels, his interactions with important Church figures, and his time spent working in the Papal Court. The book also contains rich insight into the spiritual motivation behind much of Buonarroti’s work and his close relationship with the papacy.

Further, Lev’s 2018 book, Veritas: A Pastorale Tale, provides an immersive narrative of the power of art to render faith visible. Taking readers on a journey from the golden age of the Renaissance to modern-day Rome, Veritas follows the lives of two artists whose work reveals a deep connection between faith and art. This book further delves into the politics, culture and stunning art works of Renaissance Italy and their influence on our understanding of faith and tradition today.

Elizabeth Lev’s books explore the relationship between art and faith and provide readers with a unique view of the lives and work of prominent artists from the last 500 years. By blending her knowledge of art with her understanding of the Catholic faith, Lev’s works inform and inspire, while opening up new ways of seeing the world with a deeper reverence for the divine.