You updated your password.

Sign in to access any of your purchased courses or streaming services.

Reset Password

Enter the email address you used to create your account. We will email you instructions on how to reset your password.

Forgot Your Email Address? Contact Us

The Vatican and the World of Italian Art

Join renowned art historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts to explore the story of Italian art, starting with the Vatican. Visit key sites across Italy to see how Italian artists and architects shaped one of humanity’s greatest legacies.
Guidebook
Audio version now exclusively on Audible Logo
 
 
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Spectacular course!!! This course is an 11 out of 10!!! The quality of the video is simply stunning. My principle interest for many years has been art and art history. I would put this course at the top of The Great Courses alongside Noah Charney's 2 excellent courses. The use of drones to show cities and towns at low and high vantage points is really stunning. Anyone interested in seeing beautiful works of art will enjoy this magnificent course.
Date published: 2026-04-21
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Almost like visiting Italy A great experience, both visually and intellectually. The Italian Baroque and Renaissance background music beautifully reflects the visual art.
Date published: 2026-04-13
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Really quite excellent The title of this probably could have just been called "Religious Roman Art" and left at that, but that's really a minor quibble. What makes this series stand out is the beautiful (and plentiful) wall art, statues, paintings, architecture, and whatever else might qualify as art during the early Roman period through to the Baroque period. There were times where I felt I could turn off the sound and just watch the art flash on the screen. The professor was quite knowledgeable and was fairly engaging. The only negative for me was when there was a quotation read it was by a dull, monotone , disembodied voice that was pretty blah to listen to. Fortunately, that only happens a few times in the course of the series. Overall, if you love art, you are probably going to enjoy this one.
Date published: 2026-03-26
Rated 2 out of 5 by from Ruined by continuous bland background music I was very interested in the topic but, unfortunately, find the series barely watchable due to the constant bland background music. This is completely unnecessary and inappropriate in what ought to be a serious, academic-level presentation.
Date published: 2026-03-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A Journey Through Italy's Sacred Art and Soul This course was absolutely marvelous in every aspect. Dr. Jean-Pierre is a mesmerizing lecturer, one of those rare teachers who speaks with such warmth, conviction, and insight that you feel uplifted by his words. He communicates with the passion and clarity of a minster but with the depth and grace of a true scholar. I have watched all of his previous courses through The Great Courses and this was one of the finest. Each lecture was invigorating , inspiring, and profoundly enriching. The course traces the artistic and spiritual evolution of Italy through fourteen beautifully structured lectures, beginning with early Roman and Hellenistic influences and extending through the Byzantine era, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance periods, concluding with the breathtaking glory of the Italian Baroque. The segments on the Florentine and High Renaissance featuring Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo were especially moving. Dr. Jean-Pierre brought to life not only the works themselves but also the cultural and religious worlds from which they emerged.The visual presentation was equally outstanding, with the graphics and imagery, magnificent, clear, vivid, and exquisitely chosen.They perfectly complemented the professor's commentary, immersing the learner in the artistic splendor of Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, and beyond. The caption describing the lecture set, how Italian artists and architects shaped Western heritage was beautifully realized in every lecture. This course rekindled my admiration for Italian art and left me eager to one day visit these extraordinary place in person. In short, The Vatican and the World of Italian Art is a masterpiece of teaching, both enlightening and deeply moving. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in art, history, faith, or the human spirit expressed through beauty. As with Professor Isbouts previous courses, this is a FIVE STAR!
Date published: 2026-03-17
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Wonderful Course. Needs 4k. This a beautifully made course. Reminds me a little of Rick Steves. The location shots are amazing. It could easily be made twice as long. However, it's long past time for the Great Courses to switch to 4k. Almost all tvs these days are in 4k. It would make a big difference for art courses like this. If you go on YouTube and look up SmartHistory and look at their 4k videos on an OLED TV, it's as good as if you were there. The Great Courses is much better organized, but lacks the wow factor that technology is now capable of delivering.
Date published: 2026-03-14
  • y_2026, m_4, d_27, h_11
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvrr, vn_bulk_3.0.43
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasreviews, tv_2, tr_6
  • loc_en_CA, sid_60190, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=SUBMISSION_TIME, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_teachco
  • bvseo_sdk, p_sdk, 3.2.1
  • CLOUD, getReviews, 15.66ms
  • REVIEWS, PRODUCT
The Vatican and the World of Italian Art

Trailer

The Dawn of Roman Art

01: The Dawn of Roman Art

Start your journey by exploring the ancient roots of Italian art. From Etruscan bronzes and tomb frescoes to Constantine’s first St. Peter’s Basilica, discover how Italy’s earliest art was realistic, expressive, and deeply influenced by ancient Greece—and laid the foundation for later masterpieces of the Vatican Museums.

30 min
The Hellenistic Art of Greece

02: The Hellenistic Art of Greece

Dig deeper into the Greek foundations of Italian art. In this episode, Dr. Isbouts examines Cycladic marble figurines, Minoan palace frescoes, and Mycenaean bronzes, as well as the classical perfection of the Parthenon. See how Greek naturalism, democracy, and mythology shaped Roman and Western art.

30 min
The Art of Imperial Rome

03: The Art of Imperial Rome

Step into the golden age of Imperial Rome, which saw the fusion of Greek beauty with engineering genius. Trace the story of Roman art from propaganda in portraiture to the grandeur of the Colosseum. Along the way, witness the transition of the Roman Republic into a commanding Empire.

28 min
The Sunset of Roman Art

04: The Sunset of Roman Art

Round out your study of ancient Rome in this episode, which follows the gradual decline of Roman art from the late 2nd century to the 4th century. In this era, you can see the shift from classical idealism to stylized forms that reflect political and economic instability. Meanwhile, the architecture and mosaics hint at what’s to come.

30 min
Byzantine Art

05: Byzantine Art

Enter the luminous world of Byzantine art. This episode offers insights into early Good Shepherd sculptures, Justinian’s Hagia Sophia mosaics, Ravenna’s imperial portraits, and more. Reflect on how the gold backgrounds, stylized figures, and spiritual symbolism transformed Christian imagery.

30 min
The Rise of Romanesque

06: The Rise of Romanesque

Continue your study of Medieval art in this episode about Romanesque art in the 11th and 12th centuries. Amid Crusades and economic revival, massive churches arose with thick walls, barrel vaults, and expressive sculpture. Spotlights include the Vézelay Abbey, the Verdun Altarpiece, Venice’s San Marco Basilica, and more.

31 min
The Rise of Italian Gothic

07: The Rise of Italian Gothic

Here, watch as the Romanesque era gave way to the pointed arches and flying buttresses of Gothic architecture. The masterworks featured in this episode transformed churches into “people’s Bibles”—visual stories in marble and stained glass. Go on location to cathedrals in Siena and Florence to learn about art created against the backdrop of plague and papal crisis.

29 min
The Florentine Renaissance

08: The Florentine Renaissance

Shift your attention to the dawn of the Renaissance, when artists in Florence revived Greco-Roman ideals and launched a new era of human experience. Dr. Isbouts offers lively insights into Donatello’s David, Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus, Brunelleschi’s dome, and more.

30 min
The High Renaissance of Leonardo da Vinci

09: The High Renaissance of Leonardo da Vinci

Explore the life and art of Leonardo da Vinci—the defining genius of the High Renaissance. After reviewing his unconventional career and revolutionary innovations, you will study several da Vinci masterpieces: The Annunciation, Virgin on the Rocks, The Last Supper, and multiple versions of the Mona Lisa.

31 min
Raphael at the Vatican

10: Raphael at the Vatican

Continue your study of the Renaissance masters, here with a deep dive into Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio). Through awe-inspiring works—including dramatic frescoes and sensitive portraits—he built on the influence of da Vinci and advanced the field of art for generations. Today, he embodies the grace and harmony of the High Renaissance.

30 min
Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

11: Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

From the early Pietà and David to the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s genius is on full display in this episode. Among other aspects of his work, you’ll uncover his techniques for rendering human anatomy and investigate his spiritual intensity.

30 min
The Renaissance in Venice

12: The Renaissance in Venice

Your exploration of the Renaissance opened with Florence and here closes with Venice, a maritime republic that blended Byzantine, Gothic, and Classical influences into a distinctive style defined by rich color, light, and sensuality. Experience this style in action with a look at works by Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and others.

30 min
The New St. Peter’s Basilica

13: The New St. Peter’s Basilica

Trace the long history of St. Peter’s Basilica, from Constantine’s original 4th century church to the grandly baroque structure today. Built atop St. Peter’s tomb, the original structure endured for a millennium but eventually fell into decay. Discover how popes, architects, and artists re-created a monumental symbol of faith, power, and genius.

29 min
The Glory of Italian Baroque

14: The Glory of Italian Baroque

Your course concludes with a splendid overview of the Baroque Era. Among other works, Dr. Isbouts introduces you to Bernini’s ecstatic sculptures, Caravaggio’s dramatic light, and Venice’s radiant altarpieces. Explore how Counter-Reformation art fused intense emotion and realism, inspiring faith and awe across the ages.

32 min

Overview Course No. 60190

The story of Italian art is one of the greatest in human history: a golden thread that begins in ancient Rome, weaves through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and continues to shape the way we understand beauty, faith, and the world today. From the Etruscans’ vivid tomb frescoes to Michelangelo’s masterpieces on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow, how did a small peninsula become the cradle of so much creative genius? And what forces—faith, power, trade, and plague—drove this extraordinary history?

The Vatican and the World of Italian Art takes you on an unforgettable journey across two millennia, tracing the development of Western art from its roots in antiquity to the heights of the Baroque Era. Taught by acclaimed art historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Faculty Emeritus at Fielding Graduate University, these 14 riveting episodes combine expert commentary, on-location footage, and vivid storytelling to reveal how Italian art, preserved in the Vatican Museums and beyond, became the foundation of our shared cultural heritage.

Your exploration takes you to Florence, Siena, Venice, and beyond, studying artists like Giotto, Leonardo, Raphael, Bernini, and Titian, as well as architectural wonders such as Brunelleschi’s dome, the Hagia Sophia, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Whether you are standing before the Laocoön, reflecting on The Last Supper, or tracing the golden light of Venice, The Vatican and the World of Italian Art offers a grand tour of human achievement.

About

Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Jean-Pierre Isbouts

INSTITUTION

Fielding Graduate University

Jean-Pierre Isbouts is an art historian, biblical scholar, and best-selling National Geographic author. After earning his DLitt at Leiden University, he served as a member of the doctoral faculty at Fielding Graduate University and now holds the title of Faculty Emeritus. In 2014, he authenticated a canvas in Geneva, Switzerland, as Leonardo da Vinci’s first version of the Mona Lisa, and in 2017, he discovered that Leonardo and his workshop produced a second version of his famous Last Supper fresco. He has published extensively on 19th-century art, Renaissance artists, and biblical archaeology.

By This Expert

Searching for the Historical Jesus
854
Searching for People and Places of the Bible
854
The History and Archaeology of the Bible
854
In the Footsteps of Vincent van Gogh
854
The Vatican and the World of Italian Art
854

Start Your FREE Trial

This program is restricted from being viewed in your country. This is due to restrictions from the creator of the program.

Please choose another of our wide variety of programs to enjoy!