1. THE DREAMS TEAM: 11 SAMPLES THAT HAVE CHANGED HISTORY
The past of Italy is full of people that succeded even in the darkest scenario. The contribution that Italy has given and, perhaps, should give to the wealth of the world is this: to boost aknowledge, aesthetics and quality, searching for an edge, fearless towards a challenging system and despite a constantly changin' market. Among the geniuses of the past, we love to form a team with eleven great innovators who have changed the course of history.
1. GIOTTO: THE MAN LICKS HIMSELF INTO SHAPE
Before him, the human figures were flat. With Giotto man takes shape and the world of painting knows a new dimension with the introduction of
the concept of space more focused on man and little 'less, on the God of religion. He is'the precursor of the Renaissance, perhaps the most
illuminating artistic period in history of arts.
2. LEONARDO DA VINCI: THE TOTAL MAN
Symbol of interdisciplinary genius, despite all its contradictions he has been able to break the barriers separating different areas of knowledge and culture.
He was a scientist, inventor, musician, architect, painter and more. He has proved that the true genius must operate without borders. Even nowadays, this approach would sound revolutionary since we are ruled by an extreme specialization.
3. MICHELANGELO: THE ASCENT OF BEAUTY
For him, art is what goes further the heights of already existing beauty. The art must tend to the sublime, representing higher aesthetic models. For him, beauty is the essence of humanity,
what makes it similar to the divine. With this approach he has left to mankind some of the greatest masterpieces of art history, like David, Pieta and the Sistine Chapel frescoes.
4. CARAVAGGIO: FIAT LUX!
He has turned on the light in his paintings. Caravaggio's revolution is the ability to give a body a three-dimensional shape through a light that highlights the volumes of bodies. Each of his paintings gives greatest emphasis to the subject, relegating backgrounds to something trivial. Each work is a hymn to the man who is able to shed light in his life.
Video: Works by Caravaggio (7 minutes)
Gallery with his most famous works, where light reigns supreme
5. SAN FRANCESCO: UNIVERSAL LOVE
The history of Italy is populated by people capable of rising above the dominant systems. Among the great rebels to the system there is definitely San Francesco. He had everything people strive for today: wealth, security and a powerful family. But he left everything to save the Church and the men who were losing touch with the wonder of nature. With him religion regains purity, becoming an expression of universal love with all creation.
6. GUIDO D'AREZZO: MUSIC BECOMES A LANGUAGE
You can write and send music through the staff. This tool was invented in the eleventh century by a monk, Guido d'Arezzo, who gave notes to the opening syllables of a religious hymn.UT queant Laxis, REsonare fibris, MIra gestorum, FAmuli tuorum, SOLve polluti, LAbii reatum, SI (Sancte Johannes). UT was then replaced with the name DO. Did Guido D'Arezzo perhaps mean that the music must always strive to metaphysics?
7. MONTEVERDI: MUSIC HIT THE STAGE
With him, the Reinassance music turned into Baroque. He evolved the language of music like few in history. But the biggest contribution to the music of Monteverdi was the intuition that the music could become image. So he wrote what is considered the first opera, Orfeo, in which he developed a dramatic plot with his music. Opera and musicals of all time must pay tribute
Video: History of opera in 4 minutes (5 minutes)
Nice medley of opera in 4 minutes played by soprano Elena Lo Forte along with the theater group of Picari.
8. COSIMO DE MEDICI: THE PATRON BANKER
The Renaissance produced uncomparable artists, but this has been also a period of unique patrons. As several members of the family De'Medici, Cosimo is considered the inventor of modern banking, since the introduction of financial tools that would have been used for the next centuries. Cosimo is not alone: most of the foundations of the western economy come from Italy, with insights arising within monastic communities. But Cosimo was more, he used part of his wealth to make his city beautiful, to imprpve the world of art and science by funding the talents of his time.
9. MACHIAVELLI: POLICY BECOMES ART
His name is associated with a cynical way of managing power. This is partially fair since the great Florentine with his Prince has forged the vast majotiry of ruling classes in the western world. He had the merit of revealing lights and shadows underlying power, with a pragmatism that is today inconsistent with the democratic demagogy leaders exploit to exercise power. The truth is that Machiavelli was the mentor of some of the most powerful personalities of his time and together with raw and very pragmatic aspects, he has also depicted an ideal of a political leader able to bring the most benefit for the community.
10. GALILEO: THE FATHER OF MODERN SCIENCE
He has challenged one of the most oppressive powers of history, the Catholic Inquisition in the name of his holy love for science. They told him to renege on his words, but he did not back off, it was the earth revolving around the sun, not vice versa. It was not his fault, his eyes were catching things in a different way compared to the one described in the Bible. With Galileo and his discoveries, the Bible ceases to be a scientific text, leaving the field open to scientists around the world. These men maybe should pay tribute to him each time they discover things that might be condemned by the system.
11. MARCONI: THE COMMUNICATION REACHES THE MASSES
Italy is a land of inventors. Many of them were good at wits at first, but then failed to turn their idea into a source of wealth. Italians are like that: they like to discover and explore new paths and care little for someone else building their fortunes on their findings. One could quote many episodes of Italians who have developed projects and inventions patented by others, such as Meucci with the phone, or Volta with electricity. But perhaps the prince Guglielmo Marconi is the one who thruogh the invention of radio and telegraph opened the door to mass communication, from television to Internet. Without Marconi this mail would not ever come. Or at least not in this way.
Video: Guglielmo Marconi Story (2 minutes)
In two minutes the story of Guglielmo Marconi seen by Americans