Leslie Livingston 
Giorgio Vasari was a renowned Florentine architect, artist, and art historian who left an indelible mark on the High Renaissance era. His influence on the world of art and architecture is immeasurable. Vasari’s most famous work is his book, The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. It established him as the world’s … Read more
For centuries, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has fascinated people worldwide. It’s arguably the most famous painting in art history. Leonardo worked on it paintstakingly between 1503 and 1519 while living in Florence and Milan. Today, the Mona Lisa, measuring just 30 x 21 inches, is displayed in Paris’ Louvre. It’s placed under shatterproof glass … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This guide gives you an overview of the history of the church. It also tells you everything you need to see inside. Rising up on Esquiline Hill, this jewel of a church is one of Rome’s most important. It’s the oldest … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome Italy. The church is one of the best free things to do in Rome and a must visit destinations for art lovers. I give you an overview of the church’s history and tell you everything to see inside. Basilica of Santa … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Chateau de Chambord in France’s Loire Valley. In this guide, I give you a history of Chateau Chambord, examine the possible influence of Leonardo da Vinci, and tell you everything to see at this fascinating Renaissance chateau-palace. The Chateau de Chambord is the big daddy of Loire Valley chateaus. … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the remarkable Baptistery of St. John in Florence Italy. The Baptistery sits in front of the main facade of Florence Cathedral. Dating from 1059, the Baptistery is over a thousand years old. Incredibly ancient, especially compared to American standards. The only other structure this old in Florence is the Church … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, one of Florence’s most important and beautiful churches. I tell you everything you need to see outside and inside the historic church. Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s only Renaissance-style church facade, boasting prefect geometry. Santa Maria Novella is an architectural gem, inspired in part … Read more
Obsessed with the sublime Raphael, one of the greatest High Renaissance painters? Welcome to the club. So is much of society, judging from the recent hype over the 500th anniversary of his death. In this Raphael guide, I take you an overview of Raphael’s life and his 25 most important paintings. Raphael was one of … Read more
In 1505, an epic battle waged between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo at Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio. At the beginning of the 16th century, Florence was in its great Golden Age. It was a powerful republic and premier city of the Italian Renaissance. In 1504, Florence found its two greatest artists in the city at the … Read more
statue of King George V outside the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey Planning a trip to London? Here’s my guide to the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey. London’s Henry VII Lady Chapel is simply stunning. The ancient chapel is a must visit site in London, especially for history and architecture buffs. It’s the … Read more