In the first half of the 14th century, the city of Siena was Florence’s main political, economic and artistic rival. Artists such as Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio Lorenzetti were members of one of Europe’s most important school of painting. This free webinar will examine the art, architecture, and history of Siena in order to understand the city’s unique beauty as well as its rivalry with Florence. We shall discuss the striking Gothic cathedral of Siena, and examine the various artistic works which adorned it. We shall also examine Palazzo Pubblico, which has served as the political nerve center of the city for seven centuries, as well as the Piazza del Campo, which has been described as the most beautiful piazza in Italy.
