[bright string music]
- Rick Steves: Toward the end of the Middle Ages,
a new spirit was blossoming.
People were stepping out of medieval darkness,
and art was changing with the changing times.
Artists now celebrated not just God,
but the beauty of the created world,
done in a style that was more realistic than ever.
Nowhere was that new spirit stronger than in Italy.
With its close connection to ancient Rome
and as the center of the Christian faith,
Italy was home to both scholars and pilgrims.
Cities buzzed with free trade,
strong civic pride, and budding democracy
as they broke free from centuries of feudal rule.
As this allegory from the 1300s illustrates,
once rundown towns with chaos in the streets were becoming places
where the shopping was brisk, construction's booming,
students are attentive,
and women dance freely in the streets.
[bright medieval music]
In his hometown of Assisi,
Saint Francis was challenging the corruption of his church.
His values are depicted in art
which decorates the basilica built in his name.
The artists who painted these frescoes
employed unprecedented realism to celebrate the life
of this down-to-earth man who inspired others
and challenged a Church in need of reform.
Leading artists of the day,
including the groundbreaking artist Giotto,
depicted Francis's life story with dignity,
raising this humble friar to saintly status.
The artist captures the well-known episode
where Francis preaches to the birds.
The variety of birds represents nature
and the diverse flock of humanity,
all worthy of one another's love.
In the compassionate spirit of Saint Francis,
artists here portrayed powerful emotions as never before.
This angel turns her head sadly at the sight of Jesus,
while another is in such anguish she tears at her cheeks in pain.
Mary, traditionally shown forever stoic,
faints in despair.