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Italian Art for Travelers
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Pope Leos Past and Present
For the fourteenth time, the name Leo has been chosen by a pope. What made Leo a popular papal name? Some reasons point to lions, St. Mark, and St. Augustine. A look at three past Pope Leos reveals the adversities they faced and their political dilemmas. One stood up to Attila the Hun, another avoided being poisoned, and a third focused on worker’s rights.

Gerriann Brower
Jun 108 min read
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Pope Francis and Caravaggio
Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew was Pope Francis’ favorite painting. As a cardinal, he would often contemplate in situ, in the Contarelli Chapel of San Luigi dei Francesi, near Piazza Navona. What drew Francis to this painting? Was it mercy for the artist’s sins and bad boy reputation, well-earned with a murder conviction? Or perhaps Caravaggio’s incarceration resonated with the pope’s ministry for those in prison.

Gerriann Brower
May 73 min read
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Papal Conclaves: Histories and Mysteries
The Middle Ages hold the answer to the history and mystery of papal conclaves and their rituals. The origins of voting under lock and key in the Sistine Chapel, burning ballots, and cardinals clad in red date back over five hundred years. How did a two-thirds majority come to be the standard to elect a pope? How did the Sistine Chapel become the place to elect popes?

Gerriann Brower
May 16 min read
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Consequential Conclaves
Three consequential sixteenth century conclaves illustrate the power wrangling and coalitions in electing a pope: the conclaves for Julius I

Gerriann Brower
Nov 12, 20249 min read
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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
Oct 1, 202411 min read
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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
Apr 24, 202413 min read
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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
Mar 22, 202414 min read
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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
Dec 19, 202310 min read
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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
Oct 13, 202312 min read
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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
Aug 20, 202318 min read
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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
Jul 18, 202320 min read
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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
Apr 22, 202317 min read
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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
Feb 28, 202314 min read
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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
Dec 15, 202211 min read
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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
Feb 10, 202216 min read
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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
Jan 4, 20229 min read
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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
Nov 22, 202110 min read
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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
May 30, 202120 min read
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