Rome: Divine Inspiration Art Tour with Guide｜Italy

Arguably the greatest patron of the arts has been the Papacy, and the unparalleled splendor of Rome’s churches stands as a testament to this legacy. The quality of this art relies as much on the talent of the artist as on his motivation.

All artists are driven, at least in part, by material needs — everyone must support themselves — but when the pursuit of wealth becomes the sole motivation, the art inevitably suffers. The artist begins shaping his work to appeal to the lowest common denominator; striving for broad appeal usually leads to a mediocre result at best. When, however, the artist allows his decisions to be guided by the transcendent, the potential for achieving the sublime increases immensely.

The art and architectural examples on this tour will help you appreciate this dynamic. You will also learn how the aesthetics of ancient Rome influenced the development of the Renaissance and Baroque styles that define these masterpieces. This tour explores six breathtakingly beautiful churches that showcase the unmatched talents of — among others — Michelangelo, Bernini, and Borromini.