Archive for Category: Insights

Throughout the history of Western art, Ugliness has undergone a fascinating evolution. Initially viewed as a mere negation of beauty, it gradually acquired the status of an aesthetic category. This shift in taste and culture makes it even harder to define what is considered beautiful or ugly in art.
We’ve selected a few themes that highlight the concept of ugliness between the 15th and 16th centuries.

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.

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.

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 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.

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, focusing on some of its most significant figures.

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 design.

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

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.