Curated Video
Italy, Florence - Old Sacristy in the Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of Saint Lawrence)
The structure was begun 1421 and largely complete in 1440. When finished, it was, however, quite isolated, the reason being that construction for the new building for San Lorenzo, the design for which Brunelleschi was also responsible,...
Curated Video
Italy, Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore)
The typical Italian Gothic building, the Cathedral of Florence, is dedicated to "Santa Maria del Fiore". The church was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (c1245-1302) who considerably enlarged the existing religious structure. Finished...
Amor Sciendi
Allegory of Calumny: Changing the Canon of Art History
Here is our argument that Botticelli's Calumny of Apelles is the greatest example of the High Renaissance. Another example of resurrection in 15th century.
Amor Sciendi
Battle of San Romano: Big Fluffy Hats
We discuss Uccello's 1453 Battle of San Romano, one of the earliest examples of Renaissance perspective, and attempt to gauge the volume of a huge hat.
Amor Sciendi
Andy Warhol and the Mimetic Theory of Art | AmorSciendi
I've been reading a lot of art theory lately and this video is a product of that. I also have been inspired by the long videos of the Art Assignment.
Amor Sciendi
St. Peter's Basilica: Beauty from Strife
St. Peter's Basilica was built during one of the darkest times in the Church's history. This is its story.
Amor Sciendi
Elizabeth and the Iconography of Ubiquity
Queen Elizabeth never looks quite real in her portraits... I propose a couple reasons why.
Curated Video
Italy, Florence, Orsanmichele church
Between 1380 and 1404, it was converted into a church used as the chapel of Florence's powerful craft and trade guilds. On the ground floor of the square building are the 13th-century arches that originally formed the loggia of the grain...
Curated Video
Spain, Tomar - Convent of Christ
The convent was founded by the Order of Poor Knights of the Temple (or Templar Knights) in 1118. Its construction continued until the final part of the 12th century with the construction of the oratory, in one of the angles of the...
The Art Assignment
Better Know the Mona Lisa | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios
She's probably the most famous artwork of all time, but what do you know about her? It's time to better know the Mona Lisa.
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - Church of San Zaccaria
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.
Amor Sciendi
Storm Troops and Mustard Gas
Here we discuss Storm Troops Advancing Under Gas by Otto Dix from Der Krieg (1924).
Weird History
Why Do Babies Look Creepy In Medieval Art
Infants in medieval art all have one thing in common: They don't look like babies. Instead, they resemble miniature versions of middle-aged men, sometimes complete with receding hairlines and ripped muscles. Depictions of weird,...
Curated Video
Discover the Magic of Renaissance Festivals
Throughout the summer, towns across the United States transform into medieval villages at the Renaissance Fair. Wear your most creative Elizabethan outfit, read a Shakespeare story, and join in the festivities!
Oxford Comma
Love Poem or Insulting: My Misstress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun
Scholars debate what exactly Shakespeare meant when he wrote these famous words in his mysterious sonnets. For some, including my wife, it's the greatest love poem of all time. For others, it's one big burn. We'll try to answer that...
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - Santa Maria Formosa church
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - San Salvador church
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - San Moise church
The church was built initially in the 8th century. It is dedicated to Moses since like the Byzantines, the Venetians often considered Old Testament prophets as canonized saints. It also honors Moisc Venier, the aristocrat who funded the...
Cerebellum
The Renaissance - The Protestant Reformation
No period of history can boast of greater beauty than The Renaissance. This was the period, from approximately early 14th century to late 16th century, that gave us Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare. This video focuses on...
Jack Rackam
The Fox of Florence | The Life & Times of Machiavelli
Turns out the method to Machiavelli's madness was mollifying mad Medici after a mountain of madness above the Mediterranean. Special thanks to Blue for lending me his expertise on the subject and coming in to talk about Machiavelli's...
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - Santa Maria della Salute church
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.
Amor Sciendi
Melancholia I: Astrology, Medicine, and Magic Squares
Here we discuss the role of Astrology in Renaissance Medicine while looking at Albrecht Durer's famous print from 1514. The plate can be found in the Staatliche Kunsthalle gallery in Karlsruhe Germany.
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - San Giacomo di Rialto church
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.
Curated Video
Italy, Orvieto Cathedral
The construction of the cathedral lasted almost three centuries with the design and style evolving from Romanesque to Gothic as construction progressed. The flagstone of the cathedral was laid on 13 November 1290 by Pope Nicholas IV, The...