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
Jan 239 min read
Renaissance Hair
Renaissance hair served dual functions. Hair beautified the individual and indicated well-being and character. The length and style of hair
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
Sep 11, 20234 min read
The Last Masterpiece: A Book Review
The author presents readers with parallel stories of two young women from different countries, each playing a role in Nazi looted art.
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
May 25, 202313 min read
From Renaissance Self-Portrait to Selfie
Are selfies an evolution of the self-portrait, or do they lack the cleverness and creativity of early modern self-images? The Italian Nation
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
Jan 18, 202312 min read
Made in Florence: Renaissance Clothing
The merchant and banking classes gained their fortunes largely from the textile trade and in turn became patrons of art. Artists paid homage
Gerriann Brower
Dec 15, 202211 min read
Saint Carlo's Relics
How did a piece of an Italian saint make it from Milan, Italy, to St. Paul, Minnesota, USA? I found answers to most of my questions, includi
Gerriann Brower
Nov 23, 202213 min read
Botticelli and Renaissance Florence
Sandro Botticelli was a go-getter and lived in time when Florence had no lack of talent and innovators. Competition was intense for commissi
Gerriann Brower
Oct 30, 202213 min read
Florence's Ponte Vecchio
The story of the Ponte Vecchio is one of perseverance and love for Florence. Still standing after almost 700 years, it has withstood World W
Gerriann Brower
Aug 29, 202213 min read
When the Vikings Attacked Sicily
They were ruthless mercenaries. They excelled at military sieges, geo-political maneuvering, and image management. Their artistic legacy
Gerriann Brower
Jul 26, 202213 min read
The Shroud of Turin
The relic of all relics is a linen sheet bearing faint blood stains of a Christ’s body. It has been venerated, debunked, and debated for cen
Gerriann Brower
Jun 6, 20229 min read
Peacocks, Fetters, and other Signs and Symbols
A painting with a peacock, a wheel, a blue garment, a dead tree, and a woman holding pincers – what does it mean? If we could time travel ba
Gerriann Brower
May 9, 202214 min read
Venice in Six Iconic Symbols
Glass, the Rialto, gondolas, books, St. Mark, and wells are iconic parts of Venetian history, pieces of a historic puzzle of its faded, but
Gerriann Brower
Apr 10, 202212 min read
Leonardo’s Last Supper: Why it’s Magnificent
Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper is one of his most admired and recognizable art works. It is iconic, has been reproduced endlessly, parodied
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