As a History of Art graduate, any trip with Violet Glenton involves a stop at a museum or art gallery! Italy, a country incredibly rich in culture, history and art is a haven for a girl like Violet. Home to some of the most beautiful and famous pieces of art, here’s Violet’s list of where you can find the top paintings and sculptures in this beautiful country.
Elasticity, Boccioni located in Museo Novecento, Milan
Italy isn’t just famous for its Renaissance Art. Italian Futurism became a new artistic form and Boccioni was a huge driver for it. Elasticity is the epitome of what futurism was about. You can see the movement of horses, the rapid industrialization represented and the bright colours almost cubist in effect. Not to be missed on a trip to Milan.
Venus of Urbino, Titian located in Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Oh I wish I had as much sass as this Venus. Titian’s work harks to the famous Giorgione and reclining venus position. A very very sensual, exotic take on the Venus figure. Titian transports us to the inner sanctums of Venetian society.
School of Athens, Raphael located in the Raphael Rooms, Vatican Museums – Vatican City
What’s not to love about this painting? Arguably Raphael’s greatest masterpiece, this fresco represents philosophy and is a fine example of the Italians harking back to the classical period. Look close enough and you’ll catch a self-portrait of Raphael, a charming looking Michelangelo and many many other famous figures. Hey, if it’s good enough for the Pope, it has to be included on this.
The Sistene Chapel, Michelangelo located in the Vatican Museums- Vatican City
Another of my favourite art pieces in the world, the Sistene Chapel tells the most famous famous story of all. The beginning of life. The astounding amount of lapis lazuli on the Last Judgement wall creates a rich atmosphere that is overpowering and I’m always in awe of it.
St. Theresa in Ecstasy, Bernini located in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome
Bernini’s widely overlooked sculpture housed in a small church is my favourite of his work. The immense detail undertaken in this pushing forward the Baroque movement sends chills down my spine. Whilst a very religious topic, the slightly racy critics of it give the piece a massive jus. A typical story becomes sexual. Not at all in my opinion what Bernini was going for, but I do like to discuss the sensuality of St. Theresa.
Birth of Venus, Botticelli located in Uffizi Gallery – Florence
One of my favourite paintings. Head to the Uffizi to see this and Primavera. I’d recommending getting a guide book for this as you can check out every key piece of symbolism Botticelli injected into this.
Feast in the House of Levy, Veronese located in Academia, Venice
If you’ve never seen a Veronese painting, now is your chance! He is usually overlooked in the Louvre as most stare at the Mona Lisa, but his work sits opposite. In the Academia in Venice you can catch another of his feast works. Which actually became a series of works. So famous so that Napoleon asked for commissions to be as large as these when he was producing his propaganda images.
Annunciation, Fra Angelico located in Convent of San Marco, Florence
The Annunciation is one of the very first pieces I studied at University. Representing a key moment in Christian Story, Fra Angelico boosted this piece with Symbolism. Incredibly simple, but also incredibly beautiful.