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The Chimera di Arezzo: the Etruscan masterpiece of myth, art, and mystery
It was discovered on November 15, 1553, just outside the gates of Arezzo, during excavations for the construction of new city walls. It was rusted and dirty, its tail in fragments, two legs broken, and both eyes and jaws missing. And yet, there was no doubt: it was an Etruscan
Beato Angelico and beyond: what to see at the Museo di San Marco in Florence
Located in the monumental complex of the Dominican convent, the Museo di San Marco houses the largest collection of works by Beato Angelico, who lived and worked here for many years.
But that’s just one reason to visit.
Inside, you’ll also find masterpieces by Fra Bartolomeo, Paolo Uccello,
Caricature: an art on the edge between satire and beauty
Ironic, exaggerated, sharp: caricature is, by definition, a controversial art form. The artist strikes where it hurts the most, the subjects portrayed are often offended, and the audience laughs. The history of caricature blends personal, social, and political aspects. In this article, we’ll explore its origins and development in Europe,
Vico Magistretti: life and works of an architect and designer awarded the Compasso d’Oro
World-renowned architect and designer Vico Magistretti (1920–2006) reinterpreted tradition with innovative materials and technologies, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Italian design – and beyond.
From the 1950s to today, his furniture designs have continuously adorned international homes and museums, defining new ways of living and understanding
The Annunciazione by Beato Angelico at the Museo di San Marco, between Gothic and Renaissance
There are many aspects that make the Museo di San Marco in Florence a truly unique place. Originally established as a convent, it was partially secularized in the latter half of the 19th century when it was declared a national monument.
Inside, it now houses the largest collection of
Brunelleschi’s dome: symbol of Florence and Renaissance architecture worldwide
An emblem of Florence, the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore towers over the city and, six centuries after its construction, still dazzles with its unsurpassed grandeur. Indeed, it remains the largest masonry dome ever built – a testament to the brilliance of Filippo Brunelleschi, a visionary architect with a
Dogs, cats and exotic species: animals in Renaissance art
A newfound interest in nature and the legacy of medieval symbolism are the keys to interpreting Renaissance paintings in which animals appear. The figurative art of this period focuses on a realistic depiction of the world while still preserving the rich repertoire of metaphors and allusions inherited from earlier times.
Landscape painting: a journey through the genre’s leading figures, from Giotto to the Macchiaioli
Symbolic, realistic, evocative: over the centuries, landscapes have taken on different meanings depending on the historical period, artistic movement, and each artist’s interpretation. Here, we will retrace its evolution by looking at some of the most significant milestones, from its early days right up to the threshold of Impressionism.
Bronzino’s works in Florence: a guide to discovering a Mannerist genius
An artist and a literary figure, Agnolo Bronzino (1503 – 1572) was one of the most versatile and prolific creators of the Florentine Mannerist period, and for this was greatly praised even by his contemporaries. As the official painter at the court of Cosimo I de’ Medici, he portrayed the
The Battaglia di San Romano by Paolo Uccello, between geometry and bold perspectives
It happens almost every day. Someone, while visiting the Uffizi, finds themselves spellbound before the Battaglia di San Romano by Paolo Uccello – not only because it’s the first non-religious subject in the Galleria’s display, but also for its strikingly unusual appearance. Its colors, composition, and style stand apart from
Hidden treasures of Florence: 5 lesser-known museums worth visiting
Renowned worldwide for its unparalleled artistic heritage, Florence abounds with so-called “lesser-known” museums – though that’s simply a technical label and in no way a reflection of their worth.
In this article, we’ve selected five often overlooked gems, typically absent from the usual tourist itineraries, yet brimming with unique
An example of a Medieval Florentine house: curiosities of Palazzo Davanzati
If, while strolling through the narrow streets of Florence’s historic center, you’ve ever wondered what it was like to live during the time of the guelfi and ghibellini or the Renaissance, then you must not miss a visit to Palazzo Davanzati on the ancient Via di Porta Rossa. This authentic
The Macchiaioli adventure and their unforgettable works
When, on November 3, 1861, a journalist from the Gazzetta del Popolo used the term “Macchiaioli” for the first time, he could hardly have imagined that this derogatory epithet would become the official name of the movement that had emerged in Florence only a few years earlier and later became
The Ratto delle Sabine by Giambologna, the pinnacle of Mannerism in sculpture
Under the right arch of the monumental open-air museum that is the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence stands a sculptural group of unparalleled dynamism and expressive intensity. Created in marble in 1582, the Ratto delle Sabine by Giambologna still amazes today with its colossal dimensions and bold composition: three nude
Baroque Rome: an itinerary to discover 17th century architecture between Bernini and Borromini
If Florence is the capital of the Renaissance, Rome is certainly the homeland of Italian Baroque: it is here that, starting from 1630, some of the most successful works of this incredible era were created. An era marked by the search for a new artistic language capable of responding to
Women artists in the 16th century: female art before Artemisia Gentileschi
Isabella d’Este, Elizabeth I of England, Isabella I of Castile… Retracing the history of the 16th century, we encounter many powerful and strong-willed women known for their decisive roles in the political and strategic events of Europe at the time.
This is not the case for the women artists
Maestà by Simone Martini, a leading work of Gothic painting in Italy
In our guide to museums to visit in Siena, the Museo Civico is certainly not missing, which houses – among others – the marvelous Maestà by Simone Martini. An imposing fresco that surprises visitors not only for its size but also for the uniqueness of its style and message. An
3 artists to illustrate the style and characteristics of 15th century Flemish painting
If there is a period in the history of Western art characterized by a profound and widespread revitalization of the arts, it is certainly the 15th century. During this century, we witnessed an intense succession of both technical and formal innovations, based on a new ideological framework, then uniquely interpreted
The kiss in art: a love story in 10 works
How much can a kiss convey? And how many forms of love can it express? When you think about it, such a simple and human gesture hides a great variety of meanings, so it’s natural to find it in art, represented in countless ways and styles.
To showcase the
Venere by Botticelli: beauty and renaissance symbolism
It’s impossible not to know it: the Nascita di Venere (circa 1485, Florence, Uffizi) is one of the most admired and emblematic works of the Italian Renaissance. Yet, what we know today about Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece is very little compared to the fame that accompanies it.
An aura of
The art of Florentine commesso: origin, technique, and examples of hard stone work
Among the unique works of high Tuscan craftsmanship is the art of hard stones, realized through the creation of pieces in commesso or Florentine mosaic. A tradition that established itself in the 16th century, leaving us enchanting examples of unsurpassed mastery and originality that endure to this day.
But
Jewelry in art: curiosities and meanings of painted ornaments
Clergymen, knights, kings, and princes, but also children, noblewomen, saints, and courtesans: many subjects are portrayed wearing or handling jewelry and precious objects. But what are the functions of these painted ornaments? And what are the intentions behind them?
Tracing the history of jewelry in art means simultaneously retracing
Leonardo in Florence: his most important works
Among the many honors that Florence can boast, one is being the place where Leonardo Da Vinci took his first steps in the art world, honing his extraordinary talent. Today, the works of Leonardo present in the city allow us to appreciate his evolution. All preserved in the Gallerie degli
Gestures in Renaissance art: meanings and interpretations of non-verbal communication
In his essay “the gesture in art,” André Chastel warns readers about an unconscious mechanism that occurs whenever we encounter a painting with human figures. If the subject or scene depicted is familiar to us, then the gestures represented seem simple to understand; but when we do not know them,
