Art History Italy

Virtually everyone would agree that Leonardo da Vinci was the most important artist of the High Renaissance. It was Leonardo who singlehandedly created the defining features of Western art: a realism based on subtle shading; depth using atmospheric effects; and dramatic contrasts between light and dark.

È l'alba del XVI secolo. L'Italia è divisa in una miriade di regni litigiosi e incapaci di opporsi alle mire delle grandi potenze. Tra quelle corti soggette ai capricci della guerra si aggira un personaggio bizzarro e affascinante, che sembra uscito dalla penna di uno scrittore. È un pittore e scultore che come nessun altro riesce a catturare l'anima di ciò che raffigura. È un inventore in grado di concepire monumenti di prodigiosa bellezza, architetture così ardite da superare ogni immaginazione, macchine belliche che sembrano provenire da un futuro lontano.

If you're traveling to Florence, Italy, you want to go home with a special souvenir: a leather bag, a gold bracelet, or a beautiful set of stationery. But selecting which wallet or jacket to buy can be an intimidating experience. How do you know if you're buying something authentic, made locally and in a traditional way? How do you determine if you've fallen prey to one of the city's many tourist traps?

If you're traveling to Venice, Italy, you want to go home with a special souvenir: a piece of Murano glass, a work of Burano lace, a carnival mask, or one of the city's famous luxury fabrics. But selecting which mask or which goblet to buy can be an intimidating experience. How do you know if you're buying something authentic, something made in Venice, something made in a traditional way? How do you determine if you've fallen prey to one of the city's many tourist traps?

The story of the countess Matilda and her Lands: The History, The Canossa (origins, family, estates), The People, Matilda of Canossa, Henry IV, Gregory VII, Henry V, The Castles, The Parish Churches, The Apennine Settlements, The Landscape, Matilda's Way, Arts and Crafts: L'ars canusina, Food and Wine.

The ingenious artist we know as Michelangelo lived during the Renaissance in Northern Italy, and you could say that he was indeed a Renaissance man - he was a painter, sculptor, poet, and engineer all rolled up into one. Even though it has been some 450 years since his passing, his legacy remains one of the strongest on record. If the burgeoning art student of today wishes to learn from the best, he takes his notes directly from Michelangelo.

The audioguide tells the story, describes the architecture and presents interesting facts about the basilica of the Saints Felice and Fortunato, a paleo-Christian monument that is rooted in the ancient history of the Roman Empire. One of the oldest and most important basilica sites is the Martyrion. This chapel was built in memory and in honor of the Saints Felice and Fortunato, but there are also relics of other saints.

If you would like to hear about the extremely rich history of Venice, and you find it hard to imagine the influence Venice underwent and absorbed for centuries, you can just listen to our audioguide, about the magnificent Saint Mark's Basilica - the symbol of the people and culture. The audioguide describes the unique history of Saint Mark's Basilica, made evident by the architecture and decorations, with elements of different styles.

If you would like to hear about the extremely rich history of Venice, and you find it hard to imagine the influence Venice underwent and absorbed for centuries, you can just listen to our audioguide, about the magnificent Saint Mark's Basilica - the symbol of the people and culture. The audioguide describes the unique history of Saint Mark's Basilica, made evident by the architecture and decorations, with elements of different styles. The audioguide has been made by professionals in the field of history and art.