Monica Bellucci

Born in Città di Castello, Umbria, Italy, Monica Bellucci started modeling at the age of 16. Since then, she has appeared in numerous magazines and is the current face of Dior Cosmetics. She has also starred in many films, including Bram Stoker's Dracula, Maléna, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Passion of the Christ. She is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world and has been photographed by famous and renowned photographers. After beginning her career as a model for Dolce & Gabbana, she went on to grace the covers of numerous magazines including Elle and Esquire. In 2004 she topped AskMen's 100 Most Beautiful Women in the World annual list and was also featured nude in the Italian edition of Vanity Fair while pregnant as part of her protest against Italy's ban on artificial insemination with donor sperm. This glamorous volume will feature 150 of the most stunning and exquisite photographs of the Italian beauty celebrating her unique charm and beauty along with her work with some of the most important photographers at work today. Among the photographers whose work is featured are Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, Fabrizio Ferri, Richard Avedon, and Ellen von Unwerth

Monica Bellucci achieved early stardom as the cover girl for the 1991 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Since then, she has appeared in countless fashion campaigns as well as in many acclaimed films. Currently, she is the face of Dior Cosmetics. Giuseppe Tornatore is one of Italy’s most important contemporary film directors best known for Cinema Paradiso, which won the 1989 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. His latest film, Baarìa, has been critically acclaimed and is a 2010 Academy Award nominee.