Italian Courts and European Culture (Renaissance History, Art and Culture)

Between the fifteenth and the eighteenth century, princely courts dominated the Italian political scene. These courts were effervescent centers of cultural production. As such, they became a model for European monarchies who imported Italian courtly 'forma del vivere' (?style of life?) to legitimize their power and to define social status. This phenomenon included architecture and painting, theater and music, manners and aesthetics, and all the objects, behaviors and beliefs that contributed to homogenize European culture in the age of the Old Regime. It involved a hemorrhage of art and a continuous circulation of people, texts and symbols. The foundational material for this process was classicism and its purpose was political. This delineates a new geography and chronology of a truly European cultural history. It also provides the key traits for the European cultural identity Between the fifteenth and the eighteenth century, princely courts dominated the Italian political scene. These courts were effervescent centres of cultural production. As such, they became a model for European monarchies who imported Italian courtly forma del vivere ('style of life') to legitimise their power and to define social status. This phenomenon included architecture and painting, theater and music, manners and aesthetics, and all the objects, behaviours and beliefs that contributed to homogenise European culture in the age of the Old Regime. It involved a hemorrhage of art and a continuous circulation of people, texts and symbols. The foundational material for this process was classicism and its purpose was political. This delineates a new geography and chronology of a truly European cultural history. It also provides the key traits for the European cultural identity Cover Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface I. Republics and Princes 1. The Historiographical Journey 2. Historical Development 3. A World of Courts 3a What Is the Court? 3b Courts Everywhere II. Italian Courts and European Culture 4. Europe of the Courts 4a The Terms of the Question 4b From the Middle Ages to the Finis Italiae 4c Invasion and Counter-Invasion 4d Italian Courts and Renovatio Imperii 4e A Queen and Two Kings 4f The ‘Second Renaissance’ ... 4g ... and Beyond 5. People 5a Princesses and Princes 5b People Going 5c People Coming 6. Things 6a The Arts Market 6b Books 6c Language III. The Models 7. The Spaces 8. Images 9. The Performing Arts 10. The Forma del Vivere 10a Dance 10b Clothes 10c The Gentleman IV. Common Denominators Conclusion Bibliography Index