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Sculpting space: discovering Michelangelo the architect
A supreme sculptor, an outstanding painter, Michelangelo was also an architect and writer – even though, by his own admission, he claimed he was neither. Yet he produced numerous verses in rhyme (published posthumously) and designed several buildings in both Florence and Rome. Many of his architectural projects were never even started, but among those that did take shape, we have chosen three that profoundly revolutionized traditional forms – an innovative spirit Michelangelo brought to every art form he mastered.
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BeCulture is the platform dedicated to culture, created to accompany and facilitate travellers, art enthusiasts and the curious in visiting cities, museums and cultural institutions. Through in-depth information and thematic routes, you can create a customised visit built around your interests. A unique and secure purchase that includes tickets, publishing and official and certified merchandise. AVOID THE
Greek mythology: stories of gods and heroes in painting and sculpture
From its earliest origins to the dawn of civilization and beyond, Greek myth has never ceased to captivate writers, philosophers, and artists. It survived Roman conquests, barbarian invasions, Christian reinterpretations, and more, arriving down through the ages largely thanks to the works of painters and sculptors who immortalized its stories. From the Renaissance onward, gods, heroes, and ancient figures reemerged, rediscovered and celebrated for their feats or their political, ethical, and moral significance. Let’s explore some of the most famous masterpieces dedicated to classical mythology.
Allegoria del Buon Governo by Ambrogio Lorenzetti: a guide to interpretation
Between 1338 and 1339, the Sienese magistracy of the Nove (citizens chosen to administer the city) commissioned Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1290–1348) to paint the walls of the Sala della Pace in the Palazzo Pubblico, where government meetings were held. The result is a monumental cycle of frescoes, for a long time titled La Pace e la guerra but now known as L’allegoria del buon governo. It depicts the metaphor of just versus unjust government and their respective effects on the city and countryside: a remarkable political painting that has much to say, both symbolically and historically. Let’s take a closer look.
The Annunciation in painting: a journey through the most enchanting depictions from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
The Annunciation is one of the most recurring themes in Christian art: since the 6th century, painters and sculptors alike have tackled the portrayal of this sacred scene, each in their own distinct way. In this article, we’d like to recall a few examples produced between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that, thanks to their qualities or the innovations they introduced, stand out from all the others.
Achille Castiglioni’s life and works: innovation, functionality, and wit
When talking about Italian design, it’s hard not to immediately think of Achille Castiglioni and his brother Pier Giacomo. Both were award-winning architects and designers who, starting in the 1940s, created some of the most original projects on the Italian and international scene, producing objects still found in our homes and in museums around the world. To understand how much we owe to the Castiglioni brothers, and especially to Achille, let’s review his life and works with a focus on his industrial products.
The nude through the centuries: from the Greeks to Tiziano in 5 masterpieces
The human body has always captivated artists, and depictions of nudity can be found as far back as antiquity. Yet their meaning shifts with evolving tastes, sensibilities, and social values. To better understand this progression, we have chosen five artworks where the nude plays a leading role – sometimes even boldly so – revealing the aesthetic and cultural standards of their time.
Sculpting space: discovering Michelangelo the architect
A supreme sculptor, an outstanding painter, Michelangelo was also an architect and writer – even though, by his own admission, he claimed he was neither. Yet he produced numerous verses in rhyme (published posthumously) and designed several buildings in both Florence and Rome. Many of his architectural projects were never even started, but among those that did take shape, we have chosen three that profoundly revolutionized traditional forms – an innovative spirit Michelangelo brought to every art form he mastered.
Greek mythology: stories of gods and heroes in painting and sculpture
From its earliest origins to the dawn of civilization and beyond, Greek myth has never ceased to captivate writers, philosophers, and artists. It survived Roman conquests, barbarian invasions, Christian reinterpretations, and more, arriving down through the ages largely thanks to the works of painters and sculptors who immortalized its stories. From the Renaissance onward, gods, heroes, and ancient figures reemerged, rediscovered and celebrated for their feats or their political, ethical, and moral significance. Let’s explore some of the most famous masterpieces dedicated to classical mythology.
Allegoria del Buon Governo by Ambrogio Lorenzetti: a guide to interpretation
Between 1338 and 1339, the Sienese magistracy of the Nove (citizens chosen to administer the city) commissioned Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1290–1348) to paint the walls of the Sala della Pace in the Palazzo Pubblico, where government meetings were held. The result is a monumental cycle of frescoes, for a long time titled La Pace e la guerra but now known as L’allegoria del buon governo. It depicts the metaphor of just versus unjust government and their respective effects on the city and countryside: a remarkable political painting that has much to say, both symbolically and historically. Let’s take a closer look.
The Annunciation in painting: a journey through the most enchanting depictions from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
The Annunciation is one of the most recurring themes in Christian art: since the 6th century, painters and sculptors alike have tackled the portrayal of this sacred scene, each in their own distinct way. In this article, we’d like to recall a few examples produced between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that, thanks to their qualities or the innovations they introduced, stand out from all the others.
Achille Castiglioni’s life and works: innovation, functionality, and wit
When talking about Italian design, it’s hard not to immediately think of Achille Castiglioni and his brother Pier Giacomo. Both were award-winning architects and designers who, starting in the 1940s, created some of the most original projects on the Italian and international scene, producing objects still found in our homes and in museums around the world. To understand how much we owe to the Castiglioni brothers, and especially to Achille, let’s review his life and works with a focus on his industrial products.
The nude through the centuries: from the Greeks to Tiziano in 5 masterpieces
The human body has always captivated artists, and depictions of nudity can be found as far back as antiquity. Yet their meaning shifts with evolving tastes, sensibilities, and social values. To better understand this progression, we have chosen five artworks where the nude plays a leading role – sometimes even boldly so – revealing the aesthetic and cultural standards of their time.
