The Renaissance period marked a great cultural change throughout the whole of Europe; it is often said to be a bridge between medieval and modern ages. It was an explosion of free thinking and an intellectual movement of humanists that eventually reached the artists and architects of the 15th century.
The Renaissance was thought to begin in Tuscany, or, more specifically, Florence, where Italians were living in somewhat of a golden age. The civilians of Florence believed that the culture of painting, sculptures, music, poetry and architecture had been revived, superior to anything since the fall of the Roman Empire a thousand years before.
Nowadays, the Tuscan art of this period attracts visitors from all over the world, making it the perfect place to invest in property abroad. Every town, city and village in the region manages to retain its own creative individuality with pride and passion, inspired by the natural landscapes. Therefore, no two holidays to Tuscany are the same, and there’s a plethora of hidden gems and secluded spots to explore every time you visit.
The most well-known Tuscan paintings are in the cities of Florence, Pisa, Siena and Lucca. The monuments here, along with paintings, photographs, postcards and multimedia reproductions are renowned across Europe, and it is difficult not to recognise the iconic Tower of Pisa or the unique dome of the Florence Cathedral. By visiting cities such as Florence, you can appreciate the birthplace of the Renaissance, surrounded by buildings and monuments that take you back to a time of great Tuscan artists who contributed to making the city a symbol of elegance and urban harmony.
In the 13th century, Tuscan artists such as Nicola Pisano, Giovanni Pisano and Arnolfo di Cambio focussed on sculpture, whereas Cimabue and Giotti specialised in painting. The latter created an innovative painting technique, recognised for the depth of his characters, making him one of the main points of artistic reference for years to come.
The Tuscany Renaissance art also marks the beginning of the development of engineering and architecture, as shown by the prospective discoveries and buildings designed by Brunelleschi. Following these advances, new developments were created all over Florence and art workshops, artisans, new neighbourhoods and the merchant class started businesses throughout Europe. The development of the city was prioritised by nobles, resulting in the construction of religious buildings, gardens and large monuments.
By the end of the 15th century, Italy could boast world-famous artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Da Vinci is considered to be one of the most talented minds of his time, not only for producing masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the fresco of the Last Supper, but also for his extensive knowledge on science and engineering – and everything in between. Michelangelo was equally as talented, and is renowned for his great work in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. His creation of the statue of David is located in Florence, and is widely popular attraction for those who frequent the region.
There are various events and influences during the time that will have affected the way in which art was both produced and perceived. For example, The Black Death of 1348 wiped out almost a third of the population of Europe, resulting in major cultural changes and a society dependent on trade and industrial enterprise, rather than a land and rent-based structure. The invention of the printing press gave way for an array of developments in medicine, science and literature. Knowledge could be shared and distributed like never before, allowing leading brains to document their ideas and learn from the past. This led to the birth of the modern book, and was arguably the most vital intellectual development of the renaissance.
Tuscany is the perfect place for art enthusiasts and lovers of history alike, and the surrounding landscapes offer something to entertain everyone during your time away. The wide region has much to explore, and each town and village is vastly different to the next. Visitors to the region will lose themselves in a world of culture, history, literature and heritage that is bound to leave them coming back for more. Browse our extensive range of Tuscany property for sale to find the perfect fit for you and your priorities, whether this be as a holiday home for yourself or an abode to rent to others.
If you’d like to know more about the properties available in Tuscany, do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our expert team today.
Image Credit: Eric Huybrechts