2) Introduction: "Learning never exhausts the mind." - Leonardo da Vinci

I used to be interested in stock exchanges, derivative securities, and interest rates. I had a passion for finance and commerce. Now I am interested in fresco cycles, controposto, and rilievo schiacciato. I have a passion for Renissance art and architecture. What changed?

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Two years ago, I knew nothing about Renaissance art. I was embarassed that I didn't know who sculptued the David or painted the Mona Lisa. I couldn't even give an approximation of what dates the Renaissance actually occurred. And I thought, this is a subject that everyone should at least know the basics about, right?

I decided to take a general course in university entitled Italian and Northern European Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture. I loved it. Since then, Renaissance art became my passion. It is the reason why I am here right now, on exchange in Italy.

I was so excited to go to the art galleries in Milan when I first arrived. Nonetheless, I had trouble convincing friends to come along. Why? They responded they didn't really know anything about art. I entered a church with a friend in Verona, and she looked at me and said she really wished she know more about the architecture or paintings in the chapels. Another friend went throught the famous Ufizzi Gallery in Florence in 45 minutes. And trust me, you need more than 45 minutes in the Ufizzi.

So this is a blog is dedicated to anyone who assumes that art appreciation is exclusively for rich art collector's daughters, historians, and the elite. With knowledge of a few basic but fundamental concepts, you can know about art too. You can discuss art too. You can interpret art too. Welcome!