Write one or two sentences about the Gothic period of the 12th and 14th centuries. Highlight Giotto and his frescoes in the Santa Croce chapels in Florence, and the influence that his more accurate, lifelike painting techniques had on future periods.
Write one or two sentences on the early Renaissance of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Renaissance was sparked by scholars studying Greek history and ancient texts. Artists such as Donatello, Masolino, Brunelleschi and Massaccio, raised the bar on realism, systematized perspective, and moved art away from purely religious themes by creating some of Italy's first secular artwork.
Write next about the high Renaissance during the late 15th century. Include the giants of this period: Leonardo, Raphael and the incomparable Michelangelo, whose "David" and the Sistine Chapel ceiling are among the best known masterpieces of this important period.
Transition to the Baroque period, where more dramatic lighting and poses prevailed. Note the influence of the painter Caravaggio who epitomized the period's realistic approach. Architects like Bernini, who was also a fabulously gifted sculptor, and Borromini, created works of geometric complexity.
Discuss the Futurist movement of 1910. Italian art played less of an superlative role between the baroque and the late 19th century. The Futurists, however, were influential. They used cubism as a base, expanding it to create sculpture, graphics and paintings that celebrated the speed of the contemporary society. Marinetti and Boccioni were the major figures.