The Golden Age of Florence (1300-1500) - Part I
Dr. Rocky Ruggiero
Florence, Italy, was the cradle of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world. From Dante to Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, this central Italian town produced the greatest concentration of artistic genius in history. The legacy of this creative explosion is still very much present in the city. Whether it is Brunelleschi’s crowning dome above the titanic cathedral, Ghiberti’s stunning golden doors known as The Gates of Paradise, Botticelli’s beautiful painting of the Birth of Venus or Michelangelo’s unrivaled statue of David, beauty and inspiration are found in every corner of this open-air museum that is Florence. This online course will tell the story of Florence through its art, architecture and history – a story that is simply magnificent!
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LECTURE 1 "The Rise of the City State: Palazzo della Signoria"
The Palazzo and Piazza della Signoria were the great political nerve centers of the medieval Republic of Florence. The architecture of the palace and the sculptures within the piazza each reflect the political history of Florence. We will examine the major aspects of the architecture and history ...
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LECTURE 2 "The Florence Cathedral Complex"
The Baptistery is one of the oldest monuments in Florence and we will enjoy its breathtaking mosaic decorations and unique architecture. We shall then continue to the Cathedral of Florence, named Santa Maria del Fiore, which is the religious center of the great medieval city and for two centuries...
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LECTURE 3 "The Cathedral Museum"
Despite its name, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is not a music museum, but rather a museum of the extraordinary artwork that was commissioned by the Opera, or “building committee,” of Florence Cathedral. All the artwork contained in this museum was intended for or removed from the breathtaking c...
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LECTURE 4 "The Rise of the Medicant Orders (1): The Basilica of Santa Maria Nov
"The Rise of the Medicant Orders (1): The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella"
This lecture will examine the great Dominican church and convent of Santa Maria Novella. From its 13th-century Gothic-style architecture of its interior to its early Renaissance façade, the great basilica reflects the cha...
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LECTURE 5 "The Rise of the Mendicant Orders (2): The Basilica of Santa Croce
The Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its size and magnificence are the result of a perfect historical storm. The combined forces of St. Francis of Assisi’s popularity and Florence’s great wealth resulted in an extraordinary amount of artistic patronage for th...
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LECTURE 6 "The Rise of the Guilds: Early Renaissance Sculpture at Orsanmichele"
The medieval-grain-market-turned-church of Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy, was the commercial heart of the Renaissance city. Begun in 1337, the ground floor was originally a loggia-style market, before being closed in when the building was transformed into a church. The major guilds of Florence ...
