WHY ITALY IS SO STYLISH
Impressive Italian tradition and innovation engendered a Renaissance that spread over Europe.
Because it is the symbol of the Renaissance, the cradle of Western art, fashion, and music Italy is renowned for its natural wonders, museums, centuries of history, and art. Art in Italy is everywhere, not only linked with the stunning architecture of palaces and churches but also found in the iconic paintings and sculptures, and artifacts housed in museums. Italian art also refers to fashion, historical gardens, and music through the centuries. Impressive Italian tradition and innovation engendered a Renaissance that spread over Europe and boldly launched a man-centered perspective. The god-centered focus of religion and the Church was no longer as influential on society and its constructions. The Renaissance provided a rebirth of energy and imaginative invention after an anxious period of crises, including wars, floods, earthquakes, fires, invasions, and the Black Death. During this medieval Dark Age, all energies were focused on survival. And during the Renaissance, independent cities such as Florence, Venice, and Rome grew wealthy through trade and banking. A new class of businessmen emerged, seeking visibility and identification through art, and paying tribute to the triumphs of the Roman Empire. Bankers became patrons of artists. Above all, the Medici family in Florence supported a new vision, ruled by arts and reflected in European styles and habits. It is not by chance that the greatest artists, such as Leonardo, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Titian came to prominence in that flourishing and fruitful era. Patrons supported art and artists, granting them fame and honor Powerful families who may have showcased their immense power through weapons now did so through a display of art inside palatial residences, elaborately designed gardens, and of course, fashion, which ultimately became as important as political propaganda. Affluent Florentines were obsessed with fashion, investing huge fortunes in special fabrics. Appearance and display helped shape their identities and their power. Obviously, cities developed activities linked with new ideas of power and wealth, along with the evolution of luxury textile production. In Italy, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the art of silk manufacturing reached the highest levels of technical quality and invention. Italy became the hub of fashion, due to the presence of powerful families; competition among them, and the international commercial activity established by the mercantile cities. Famous paintings influenced the fashion world. The Renaissance also gave rise to musicians in an era of discovery, innovation, and exploration. Although most music was created for religious purposes, during the Renaissance, the relaxation of the Church’s political control over society meant that composers were allowed greater freedom and could take inspiration from art, classical mythology, and even mathematics and astrology. In the 16th century, opera was born. A great new invention, the printing press, allowed music and operas to be printed and distributed, granting fame and glory to Italian music over Europe and further afield. Let’s travel from the Renaissance to present-day fashion and music through a charming and captivating history of Italian Art. Lilipans will show you Europe’s most beautiful city, Florence, blessed by Renaissance. You will find Made in Italy stories from Medici fashion to Valentino, Gucci, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. Through our tailored tours you will discover an Italy beyond your dreams.
Text and photos by Lisa Sorba
