Lecture 03
A Shadow of Divine Perfection: Art of the Italian Renaissance & Baroque
Renaissance Italians constructed lavish villas to escape from the pressures and anxieties of urban life. Two of the best preserved, the Villa Farnesina, and the Villa Borghese, are both located in Rome. This virtual tour will explore these palaces and their extraordinary art, as well as the history and traditions (both sacred and profane) that transpired within their walls.
DR. ROCKY RUGGIERO has been a professor of art and architectural history since 1999. With a BA from the College of the Holy Cross, and an MA from Syracuse University, he was awarded a prestigious Florence Fellowship in 1996. He completed his PhD in Art History & Visual Culture at the Univeristy of Exeter in the UK. In addition to lecturing for various American universities in Florence, Dr. Ruggiero has also starred in a variety of TV documentaries on the Italian Renaissance. Appearing as an expert witness for NBC News, he has also been featured in multiple series on the History Channel as well as a more recent NatGeo/NOVA program on Brunelleschi’s dome. After living in Florence for 20 years, Dr. Ruggiero now divides his time between the US and Italy, offering specialized lectures, educational webinars, and cultural events related to Italian art and architectural history. In Italy, Dr. Ruggiero frequently leads excursions and travel programs. To learn more, visit RockyRuggiero.com