What makes Italian design unique?

When you think of Italy, I'm sure the scent of pasta and pizza wafts through your mind, maybe some iconic fables replay in your head or even images of some of the beautiful Italian cities and landmarks. Regardless of which one of these is truly your first thought, it cannot be argued that Italy holds some of the finest and most admired cultural values, sights and ways of life in the world. One of these in particular, is Italian design. 

Italian design encompasses everything from the works of great Renaissance painters like Michelangelo to monumental architecture. The Italian Renaissance was a pivotal time for design as it represented an artistic, intellectual and cultural movement. There were plenty of new artworks that emerged during this time that shaped the future of not only Italian design, but also U.S. design. 

Michelangelo 

Michelangelo was an iconic painter, sculptor and architect who gained attention during the Renaissance. He is often regarded as the artist who had the most influence over Western art compared to any other artist at that time. Michelangelo is most known for the Statue of David, the Creation of Adam and his work in the Sistine Chapel.  He painted frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel that have become famous worldwide for their intricacy and uniqueness. 

The state of David was created in 1501. Michelangelo used a 40-year-old unfinished block to create this statue. The statue represents classical antiquity with a simplified geometry that allowed the sculpture to be so large in size. Additionally, it was originally created for the buttress of the cathedral. However, its brilliance was enough convincing to have it moved to a more prominent location – in front of the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio as a symbol of the Florentine Republic. The statue was later replaced by a copy and the original now sits in the Galleria dell 'Accademia. 

Leonardo Da Vinci 

Da Vinci was another highly famous painter during the Renaissance period. His work is known all over the world, not only for its beauty but also for the deep significance behind each work of art. Da Vinci is most known for painting the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. The Last Supper depicts the scene of Jesus's last supper with his 12 apostles the moment after Jesus revealed that one of them was going to betray him. 

There are plenty more Italian painters who made history during this time including Donatello and Raphael. Each of these artists paved the way for new and modern design to take form in Italy and throughout the world.