Italian art has always enjoyed great popularity. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raphael da Urbino are among the most famous faces in art history. The origin of Italian art can be traced back above all to antiquity, whose reference remains recognizable over the centuries to this day. As a highly respected commodity, art in Italy was always promoted by politics and the church. Architecture also played an important role, as it often happened that famous artists were involved in the construction of large Italian cathedrals or churches. Iconic features were, among other things, the geometric design, magnificent paintings inside the buildings and domed roofs. In addition to the Christian faith, Italian art since the Middle Ages has also been influenced by other countries and their cultures. For example, by the Byzantine Empire, France and Germany, and also by some Islamic countries. The fabulous diversity that can be seen in the artistic landscape of Italy is undoubtedly the result of these influences, which run through the various periods of art history. The Renaissance, as one of the most important art epochs in Italy, is especially known for its three-dimensional works of art. The main themes here were beauty, harmony and perfection in the form of statues, based on ancient models. However, nudity as natural perfection was also captured on canvas in as much detail as possible. While cities such as Florence and Venice were of central importance for art during the Renaissance, the Baroque era took place primarily in Rome. Here, architecture and painting worked primarily with colors such as white and gold, as well as with powerful and lush forms. Ceiling painting as such reached its peak during the Baroque period and was of great importance for this epoch. In the classicism one finally broke away from the expansive style of the Baroque and recalled in the design rather the simplicity and elegance, which followed a strict symmetry. With Historicism, which to
![Madonna and Child with Saints John and Joseph [recto]](/uploads/derivatives/w400/museum/thumbnails/madonna-and-child-with-saints-john-and-joseph-recto-2_thumb.webp)
