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The Vatican and the World of Italian Art

Trailer

01: The Dawn of Roman Art

Start your journey by exploring the ancient roots of Italian art. From Etruscan bronzes and tomb frescoes to Constantine’s first St. Peter’s Basilica, discover how Italy’s earliest art was realistic, expressive, and deeply influenced by ancient Greece—and laid the foundation for later masterpieces of the Vatican Museums.

30 min

02: The Hellenistic Art of Greece

Dig deeper into the Greek foundations of Italian art. In this episode, Dr. Isbouts examines Cycladic marble figurines, Minoan palace frescoes, and Mycenaean bronzes, as well as the classical perfection of the Parthenon. See how Greek naturalism, democracy, and mythology shaped Roman and Western art.

30 min

03: The Art of Imperial Rome

Step into the golden age of Imperial Rome, which saw the fusion of Greek beauty with engineering genius. Trace the story of Roman art from propaganda in portraiture to the grandeur of the Colosseum. Along the way, witness the transition of the Roman Republic into a commanding Empire.

28 min

04: The Sunset of Roman Art

Round out your study of ancient Rome in this episode, which follows the gradual decline of Roman art from the late 2nd century to the 4th century. In this era, you can see the shift from classical idealism to stylized forms that reflect political and economic instability. Meanwhile, the architecture and mosaics hint at what’s to come.

30 min

05: Byzantine Art

Enter the luminous world of Byzantine art. This episode offers insights into early Good Shepherd sculptures, Justinian’s Hagia Sophia mosaics, Ravenna’s imperial portraits, and more. Reflect on how the gold backgrounds, stylized figures, and spiritual symbolism transformed Christian imagery.

30 min

06: The Rise of Romanesque

Continue your study of Medieval art in this episode about Romanesque art in the 11th and 12th centuries. Amid Crusades and economic revival, massive churches arose with thick walls, barrel vaults, and expressive sculpture. Spotlights include the Vézelay Abbey, the Verdun Altarpiece, Venice’s San Marco Basilica, and more.

31 min

07: The Rise of Italian Gothic

Here, watch as the Romanesque era gave way to the pointed arches and flying buttresses of Gothic architecture. The masterworks featured in this episode transformed churches into “people’s Bibles”—visual stories in marble and stained glass. Go on location to cathedrals in Siena and Florence to learn about art created against the backdrop of plague and papal crisis.

29 min

08: The Florentine Renaissance

Shift your attention to the dawn of the Renaissance, when artists in Florence revived Greco-Roman ideals and launched a new era of human experience. Dr. Isbouts offers lively insights into Donatello’s David, Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus, Brunelleschi’s dome, and more.

30 min

09: The High Renaissance of Leonardo da Vinci

Explore the life and art of Leonardo da Vinci—the defining genius of the High Renaissance. After reviewing his unconventional career and revolutionary innovations, you will study several da Vinci masterpieces: The Annunciation, Virgin on the Rocks, The Last Supper, and multiple versions of the Mona Lisa.

31 min

10: Raphael at the Vatican

Continue your study of the Renaissance masters, here with a deep dive into Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio). Through awe-inspiring works—including dramatic frescoes and sensitive portraits—he built on the influence of da Vinci and advanced the field of art for generations. Today, he embodies the grace and harmony of the High Renaissance.

30 min

11: Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

From the early Pietà and David to the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s genius is on full display in this episode. Among other aspects of his work, you’ll uncover his techniques for rendering human anatomy and investigate his spiritual intensity.

30 min

12: The Renaissance in Venice

Your exploration of the Renaissance opened with Florence and here closes with Venice, a maritime republic that blended Byzantine, Gothic, and Classical influences into a distinctive style defined by rich color, light, and sensuality. Experience this style in action with a look at works by Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and others.

30 min

13: The New St. Peter’s Basilica

Trace the long history of St. Peter’s Basilica, from Constantine’s original 4th century church to the grandly baroque structure today. Built atop St. Peter’s tomb, the original structure endured for a millennium but eventually fell into decay. Discover how popes, architects, and artists re-created a monumental symbol of faith, power, and genius.

29 min

14: The Glory of Italian Baroque

Your course concludes with a splendid overview of the Baroque Era. Among other works, Dr. Isbouts introduces you to Bernini’s ecstatic sculptures, Caravaggio’s dramatic light, and Venice’s radiant altarpieces. Explore how Counter-Reformation art fused intense emotion and realism, inspiring faith and awe across the ages.

32 min

Overview Course No. 60190

The story of Italian art is one of the greatest in human history: a golden thread that begins in ancient Rome, weaves through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and continues to shape the way we understand beauty, faith, and the world today. From the Etruscans’ vivid tomb frescoes to Michelangelo’s masterpieces on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow, how did a small peninsula become the cradle of so much creative genius? And what forces—faith, power, trade, and plague—drove this extraordinary history?

The Vatican and the World of Italian Art takes you on an unforgettable journey across two millennia, tracing the development of Western art from its roots in antiquity to the heights of the Baroque Era. Taught by acclaimed art historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Faculty Emeritus at Fielding Graduate University, these 14 riveting episodes combine expert commentary, on-location footage, and vivid storytelling to reveal how Italian art, preserved in the Vatican Museums and beyond, became the foundation of our shared cultural heritage.

Your exploration takes you to Florence, Siena, Venice, and beyond, studying artists like Giotto, Leonardo, Raphael, Bernini, and Titian, as well as architectural wonders such as Brunelleschi’s dome, the Hagia Sophia, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Whether you are standing before the Laocoön, reflecting on The Last Supper, or tracing the golden light of Venice, The Vatican and the World of Italian Art offers a grand tour of human achievement.

About

Jean-Pierre Isbouts

ALMA MATER

Leiden University

INSTITUTION

Fielding Graduate University

Jean-Pierre Isbouts is an art historian, biblical scholar, and best-selling National Geographic author. After earning his DLitt at Leiden University, he served as a member of the doctoral faculty at Fielding Graduate University and now holds the title of Faculty Emeritus. In 2014, he authenticated a canvas in Geneva, Switzerland, as Leonardo da Vinci’s first version of the Mona Lisa, and in 2017, he discovered that Leonardo and his workshop produced a second version of his famous Last Supper fresco. He has published extensively on 19th-century art, Renaissance artists, and biblical archaeology.