Posted By Mary Freeland on January 22, 2010

If Tuscan design has its foundations in Etruscan architecture, then you can think of the Renaissance period as the time when the details were added and the rough edges were smoothed out. Following the so-called Dark Ages, the Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth. While conservative Christian doctrine dominated the art and thought of the previous centuries, this time of artistic renewal was a humanist era that explored man’s capacity for thought, creation, and invention. This cultural, artistic, and philosophical revolution made a profound impact on Italy (and all of Europe), leaving its mark in the cultural essence of Tuscany that resounds into the present.

The Italian Renaissance actually started in Tuscany, flourishing first in the cities of Florence and Siena before spreading out into the rest of the peninsula. Drawing on the humanist art and philosophies of the Greeks and Romans, the Renaissance brought realistic detail back into the mainstream of painting and sculpture. Michelangelo, one of the leaders of the Renaissance movement, was born in Tuscany and lived and worked in Florence for years (where he carved his famous statue of the biblical David). With this outpouring of artistic creation and philosophical innovation anchored in the major Tuscan cities, it’s no surprise that its effects still linger today!

Many Renaissance influences can be clearly seen in the basic foundations of modern Tuscan décor, art, and architecture. Life-like details in the botanical motifs commonly found in carved and wrought iron furniture, earthenware pottery, and other decorative patterns bring to mind the carefully sculpted marble of Renaissance art. Classical Greek and Roman architectural influences were reintroduced and can still be seen in the stately fountains and mosaics found in many Tuscan gardens. The emphasis on natural materials also carries over from this period—with artists using locally available stone and wood to create exquisite works of art, lowly materials were elevated into elegant décor. Tuscans today still take simple stone, metal, and wood and use it to create comfortable, beautiful homes.

If you’re looking to create a touch of Tuscany in your home, visit Tuscan Home Décor & Design today for products, decorating ideas, and more!

Categories: Accents, Earthenware, Living or Family Room, Uncategorized, Walls
Tags: casa cristina, Earthenware, tuscan, Tuscan decor, tuscan decorating, Tuscan home decor, Tuscany