Art in Italy
Artistic tradition until today
The artistic tradition is deeply rooted in Italy. Even in the Neolithic Age, the inhabitants of Italy produced artistic ornaments and artefacts. The art in Italy was properly strengthened and refined during Roman times. Many influences from different European regions and popular artists have enriched the country and left Italy many still significant artistic treasures. While many regions of Italy have developed independently after the fall of the Roman Empire, with the Italian Renaissance the next heyday of the art scene has been reached. Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci influenced the Renaissance, like Bernini and Borromini the baroque Italy. For lovers of art, Italy is a paradise with an invaluable wealth of works and places.
Roman art in Italy
In Roman art, politics and art were often closely linked. Unlike the Greek art, secular values stood in the foreground of Roman art. Decorations, interiors and frescoes were more important than outside facades. However, in addition to this direction, the Roman art in Italy brought three major changes: The art of portraits, landscape painting and the history presentation. Three art-historical achievements, which were used consequently by the emperors to show the fame and glory of their reign. Finally, with the advent and acceptance of Christianity came a significant change: the art was put in the service of the church, which should have a decisive impact on art in Italy and Europe in the coming centuries.
"The Feast in the house of Levi"
Italian Renaissance – harmony and perfection
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Roman art tradition continued to exist not only in the Byzantine Empire. Italian city-states developed into separate cultural and political centres, and knew perfectly how to combine the glorious past with the present. The Romanesque and Gothic art were followed by more nature-inspired illustrations until one rediscovered the ancient world and the Renaissance emerged in Italy. Starting from Florence, there was a new style of art dominating Italy, which was strongly supported by the church, but also from the rich cities. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1520), Michelangelo (1475-1564), Raphael (1483-1520) and Titian (1488/90-1576) marked the heyday of the Italian Renaissance and left many wonderful works that make the hearts of all lovers of art in Italy beat faster. Two artists with as important as fascinating works marked the transition to Baroque: Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610), whose works can be seen in Naples and Rome.
Rome- the baroque legacy in Italy
In order to strengthen the faith and fight the spread of Protestantism, the Church used art for a special purpose. The Baroque can therefore be regarded as an instrument of propaganda, which should present the importance of the Catholic Church. When we speak of Baroque in Italy, one cannot get away from Rome and the legacy of two great artists: Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) and Francesco Borromini (1599-1667). Rome owes its present appearance to these two artists - without the architectural achievements of Borromini and Bernini's magnificent sculptures, Rome would probably be a way less charming than it is today.
Modern art in Italy
Italian sculptors, painters, architects and artists dominated the art scene in Europe for 400 years and have continuously initiated new eras with their achievements. However, with the rise of nationalism and the unification of Italy, this primacy ended abruptly. At the end of the 19th and in the 20th century, Italian artists once more have caused a sensation with Futurism and the Italian pittura metafisica. However, the time of the great Italian artists who put all their skills under the service of the church, were finally over. But their legacy still makes the art in Italy a central element for tourists on a journey through the country.
