Italy

More than 59.5 million people live in Italy, which has the 23rd largest population in the world. Archaeological findings indicate humans have lived in this fertile region for more than 200,000 years. Ancient Rome started out as a farming community in the 8th Century BC and over the next few hundred years developed into a great empire. Its laws, arts, and philosophy formed the basis for modern civilizations. Italy is also the home of famous Baroque and Renaissance painters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael. Its wines, olives, and architectural remains continue to draw tourists and invite commerce from all over the world.

Renaissance

When the term "Renaissance" is applied, especially in art, "Realism" is not the first component that comes to mind. But Renaissance art was just that -- a movement that emphasized what is real. No more impressions. No more rearranged parts. No more artistic perspective. Renaissance artists studied and painted light, shadow, detail, and lines. It was during the High Renaissance in Italy (1475-1525) that Leonardo da Vinci introduced the study of anatomy and made it an art.