Renaissance

Richard Cavendish marks the demise of an important Renaissance figure, on March 20th, 1656.

Jon Cook identifies the mix of factors that helps explain the Florentine Renaissance.

Stewart MacDonald introduces the humanist scholar whose writings made him one of the most significant figures of 16th-century Europe.  

Valery Rees looks at the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino and finds a man whose work still speaks to us today.

Robert Hole examines the often misunderstood careers of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, whose power in Renaissance Florence was wielded with great subtlety and skill.

Renaissance Venetians developed a sophisticated technology for keeping the city’s vital waterways free from silt and in the process, as Joseph Black explains, created a unique landscape that inspired travellers and painters.

Richard Hodges wanders through the medieval village of Rocca in Tuscany.

Chris O’ Donnell’s codpiece in ‘Batman Forever’ echoes men’s historical urge to reveal their assets – Lois Banner looks at coded messages of gender, sexuality and domination that preceded baggy trousers.

Luke Syson examines how artifice, art and political calculation combined to produce medal portraits by Sperandio of Mantua for two of Renaissance Italy's "warhorses", Giovanni Bentivoglio and Federico da Montelfeltro.