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Rick Steves' Europe
Art of the Renaissance
Around 1400, Europe rediscovered the aesthetics of ancient Greece and Rome. This rebirth of classical culture showed itself in the statues, paintings, and architecture of Florence, then spread to Spain, Holland, Germany, and beyond. The Renaissance—from art-loving popes to Leonardo’s Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s David—celebrated humanism and revolutionized how we think about our world.
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25:16
The turbulent century and its rule-breaking art—Picasso, Surrealism and edgy architecture.
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25:17
Shimmering Impressionist canvases by Monet and Renoir, plus Van Gogh, Gauguin and more.
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25:18
Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.
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25:36
We marvel at Baroque’s over-the-top churches, palaces, bubbly fountains, and theatric art.
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25:39
From Portugal to Germany, booming economies and new technologies produce exquisite art.
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25:18
Florence’s bold “rebirth” is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.
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25:36
Soaring Gothic cathedrals of radiant stained glass, plus art celebrating worldly pleasure.
25:18
Early Europeans produce diverse art: from Christians to Muslims and Byzantines to Vikings.
25:19
The grand cities of ancient Rome’s vast empire and majestic churches of its fall.
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25:37
Rome’s rise, as seen in its supersized monuments, colorful mosaics, and marble Caesars.
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25:19
Greece’s timeless art: Golden Age temples, alluring Venuses, and exuberant Winged Victory.
25:18
We marvel at Stone Age cave paintings, mighty megaliths, and mysterious goddesses.