In 1515, Medici Pope Leo X commissioned Raphael to produce a series of 16 full-scale cartoons from which an equal number silver and gold-threaded tapestries were to be produced in Brussels. The final location of the tapestries was the Sistine Chapel and would have allowed Raphael’s work to be mea...

This new lecture will retell “the greatest story ever told” through the creative genius of the great Renaissance masters. Come get into the holiday spirit with artists such as Duccio, Raphael, Titian, Giorgione, Tintoretto and Caravaggio and their moving visual interpretations of the story that d...

Although not as famous as many other Renaissance paintings, the Holy Trinity by Masaccio might just be the most important painting in Florence, and is one of the most important of all time. The reason is that it was the first painting to ever apply a technology known as linear or single-point per...

Brunelleschi’s basilica of Santo Spirito in Florence, Italy, is one of the defining architectural works of the Renaissance. The building of this great church was a perfect historical storm - a celebrity architect, who was bordering on apotheosis as he neared the completion of the dome of Florence...

Join Dr. Rocky for this video lecture dedicated to the patron saint of Florence on his very own feast day. Dr. Rocky will examine significant representations of the saint by Renaissance masters such as Duccio, Donatello, Ghiberti, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio. He will also discuss t...

On April 26, 1478, Giuliano de’ Medici lay dead on the pavement of Florence cathedral with 19 stab wounds serving as testimony to the vicious attack that he had just suffered. Had his assassins – who were backed by Pope Sixtus IV - succeeded in eliminating his older brother, Lorenzo “il Magnifico...

Extraordinary exhibition on Donatello at the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence; join Dr. Rocky for this video lecture that will focus on the singular artistic genius of the 15th-century sculptor Donatello. Through an in-depth analysis of selected works from throughout his prolific career, you will come...

The extraordinary exhibition currently at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence, Italy, displays Michelangelo's recently restored Bandini Pietà next to casts of his two other interpretations of the subject located in St. Peter's Basilica and the Sforza Castle respectively. In light of the un...

In 1483, the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception commissioned Leonardo to paint an altarpiece for their chapel at the church of San Francesco Grande in Milan. Due to a disagreement regarding payment to the artist, it appears that the altarpiece was never delivered. This exclusive webinar w...

Join Dr. Rocky for this video lecture in honor of the current restoration of the marvelous frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence, Italy. There is no better place in the world in which to illustrate the evolution of late Gothic to Early Renaissance painting than this chapel. It was here tha...

Although Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” is by far the most iconic version of the subject, various other celebrated Italian Renaissance artists have interpreted it as well. Join Dr. Rocky for this exclusive webinar where he will explore the evolution of the Last Supper image in Italian art with...

When Leonardo returned to Florence in the early 1500s, he immediately made his presence felt. Giorgio Vasari recounts how a Leonardo cartoon was put on display in the church of Santissima Annunziata and how great crowds “would gaze in amazement at the marvels he had created.” Shortly thereafter, ...

Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will examine the ancient Roman origins of the city of Florence and trace its urban and historic development from its foundation in 59 BCE. to the modern city that we see today, which served as the capital of the newly formed nation of Italy from 1865-70.

The island of Capri in the Bay of Naples has been appreciated for its striking natural beauty ever since ancient times when Roman emperors such as Tiberius began building villas on the island. In the 19th century, the island became famous throughout Europe because many artists and authors sojourn...

Florence, Italy, is home to some of history’s greatest monuments in architectural history. Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will count down the 10 best buildings in the Renaissance city!

Siena, Italy, is home to some of the world’s greatest art treasures. Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will count down the 10 best works of art in the great medieval city!

Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will explore famous works of art from the Italian Renaissance that inspired later big-screen films. From Giotto, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Caravaggio to Coppola, Brooks, Spielberg and Gibson, bring some popcorn and enjoy the show!

Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will count down Italy’s best museums and explore the amazing art treasures that they contain.

Duke Federico da Montefeltro transformed the town of Urbino in the Marches into an ideal Renaissance court. Not only did he commission works by artists of the caliber of Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Francesco di Giorgio and Leon Battista Alberti, the duke also assembled one of Europe’s t...

Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will explore the numerous masterpieces by the “Father of Venetian Painting” in various museums throughout the United States. In fact, more of Titian’s greatest paintings can be found in museums such as the Met in New York, the MFA and Isabella Stewart Gard...

Michelangelo spent nearly half of his life in Rome producing some of his most famous masterpieces such as the “Pietà,” “The Sistine Chapel Ceiling,” the “Moses” and the “Last Judgment.” Join Dr. Rocky for this webinar where he will explore the extraordinary relationship between the “Divine Michel...

Much of the history of medieval and Renaissance Italy was determined by mercenary military commanders who hired out their armies to the highest bidders. Yet, when not occupied by war, condottieri exercised their minds by amassing some of Europe’s most impressive libraries and commissioning some o...