Arts and Architecture in Florence
In 1982 Unesco identified the whole old city of Florence as one of the most important World Heritage site. During the Renaissance Florence lived an extraordinary period of artistic, literary and scientific creativity. From the 14th century through the 15th and the 16th centuries a rediscovery of Greek classical writings and imperial Roman art and architecture awakened a strong curiosity in young thinkers and artists. Instead of thinking with superstitious minds, people began to search for human explanations and to scientifical solutions.
The blossoming of the Renaissance in Florence clashed largely with its wealth. In that time, the city was one of Europe`s most prosperous trading and banking centres. The rich families of Florence willingly invested their money in art to improve both their own and the city`s image. If during the past the mercantile dynasties had contributed to the realization of the great religious buildings of the city, the richest families of the Renaissance didn’t abandon this old tradition of patronage.
Architects, painters and sculptors were often masters of more than one medium. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, was a big scientist but, at the same time was a great painter too. Similarly, Michelangelo in addition to be an excellent sculptor was as well an outstanding architect and painter.
Less remembered by those who do not read Italian is the literary flowering that preceeded and accompanied the Renaissance. The use of Italian language in literature, to replace Latin, can be attributed to Tuscan writers, among which Dante Alighieri is worth of occupying a preeminent position
At the end of the 16th century the Renaissance began its natural fall. By the time mannerism, and, later, baroque style were in vogue, Florence was living a moment of cultural decline. Reduced to a marginalized position in European politics and finance, the city seemed equally uninspired in the arts. Brief bursts, notably that of the French Impressionist-inspired painters known as Macchiaoli, attracted the cultural interest back to the city in the 19th century but the arts never regained the relevant position they held during Florence`s golden age: the Renaissance time.
