The Great Masters: Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael

This unique course will allow you to explore High Renaissance art and architecture in Florence like an insider, exploiting onsite access to High Renaissance artworks in museums, restorations laboratories and many areas normally closed to the general public. You'll learn about the landmark works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael through onsite discussions in front of their masterpieces, in Florentine galleries like the Uffizi, the Academy (the David), Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and the Medici Chapels.

As a follow-up application you'll also get a chance to try fresco painting employing the same materials and techniques of Renaissance artists (like Leonardo). You will also get a rare opportunity to tour historic spaces normally closed to the public including the secret routes, rooms, grottos and gardens of the Medici family's Ducal residences at Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. A benefit of these special activities will be the presence of guest lecturers who will give you practical insights into their work and their careers.

Your own critical understanding of the spectacular artistic legacy of the High Renaissance will develop through a sequence of independent looking assignments, group discussions in class, multi-media presentations, and short research reports on various aspects of iconography, style and technique.

In the final sessions of the course you will consider the legacy of the High Renaissance and look ahead to the Baroque masterpieces of Bernini, Borromini and Caravaggio.

This course is taught in a virtual format by one of CEA's onsite instructors from across our 8 study center locations.