Gerriann Brower
Consequential Conclaves
Three consequential sixteenth century conclaves illustrate the power wrangling and coalitions in electing a pope: the conclaves for Julius I
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Italian Art for Travelers
Your passport to culture, history, and art
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Gerriann Brower
Oct 111 min read
From Saul to Paul: Art Inspired by Paul the Apostle
Why are so many places and people named after Paul? Paul’s life story from persecutor to preacher inspired his namesake and art from convers
Gerriann Brower
Aug 2810 min read
The Well-Dressed Duke: Renaissance Menswear
Clothes made the man, from his velvet doublet, brocaded codpiece to his armor.
Gerriann Brower
Jun 59 min read
St. Catherine of Siena's Stigmata and Relics
St. Catherine of Siena, was a gutsy fourteenth century history making woman. She was determined to make a difference, even with doubters and
Gerriann Brower
Apr 2413 min read
The Secret Raphael Room
Need a peaceful place to enjoy art at the Vatican Museums? Look no further than the Raphael room. I call it the secret Raphael room because
Gerriann Brower
Mar 2214 min read
Palatine View: Julius Caesar to Mussolini
The view from the Palatine Hill conveys the storied history of ancient Rome, Christian Rome, and modern Rome.
Gerriann Brower
Dec 19, 202310 min read
Two Michelangelo Masterpieces: Pieta and David
Michelangelo’s fame was well founded after completing two early masterpieces, the Pietà and the David. Both speak to his creative genius.
Gerriann Brower
Oct 13, 202312 min read
Caravaggio’s Rome
Caravaggio was a violent man and a number of his paintings depict violent scenes. What was Caravaggio's Rome like?
Gerriann Brower
Aug 20, 202318 min read
Four Emperors that Built Rome
Debauchery and megalomania seem to define most Roman emperors. Four come to mind: Augustus, Nero, Vespasian, and Hadrian.
Gerriann Brower
Jul 18, 202320 min read
Four Popes that Built Rome
Four popes did much to shape the Rome we see today. The della Rovere, Farnese, Borghese, and the Barberini families each placed their own ma
Gerriann Brower
Apr 22, 202317 min read
Michelangelo and Titian: Endings
Michelangelo and Titian, the two sixteenth century powerhouse competitive artists, decided to create their own memorial as the end of their
Gerriann Brower
Feb 28, 202314 min read
Ancient Rome in Six Iconic Symbols
The Colosseum, public baths, togas, wall paintings are some of the iconic symbols of Rome, made possible through creativity and invention. A
Gerriann Brower
Mar 14, 202213 min read
Michelangelo: Artist, Poet, Lover
Was Michelangelo gay? It’s complicated. How does one say Michelangelo is gay when there isn’t even a word for it in the language of his...
Gerriann Brower
Feb 10, 202216 min read
That's Amore!
Meet three couples, real and mythical, and their romantic stories: Federico and Battista’s arranged marriage, Apollo’s longing for Daphne, a
Gerriann Brower
Jan 4, 20229 min read
Caesar's Calendar
Even the humble calendar has an intriguing history. Meet the Caesar and the Pope who shaped the calendar to what it is today.
Gerriann Brower
Dec 21, 202113 min read
Saturn, Solstice, and Christmas
December means special foods, decorating, libations, and gift giving. Families and neighbors gather to celebrate time together. December...
Gerriann Brower
Nov 22, 202110 min read
Eat Like an Italian
Salty fermented fish sauces really made Roman meals special. A piping hot bowl of cinnamon spiced pasta satisfied the medieval appetite. Pe
Gerriann Brower
Jun 7, 20218 min read
Afterthoughts on the Illicit Art Trade
With over 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites, is it any surprise Italy’s art has been looted and still is? A statue illicitly taken from Italy w
Gerriann Brower
May 30, 202120 min read
Finders Keepers: Looted Italian Art
A krater, an amphora, and a marble sculpture tell the story of the illegal art trade in Italy. The Italian art squad nabbed the culprits an
Gerriann Brower
Mar 3, 202112 min read
The Meander Tattoo
A better title for this post is “How My Wife Ended up with a Fifth Century Mosaic Tattooed on Her Foot.” It’s an odd connection between...
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