Rome is a premier Art lovers' destination and has been described as a visual feast. So many wonders have been accumulated in private and public collections. In short the Art collections in Rome are unsurpassed for quality and volume. The following is a brief description of the various Art periods you will encounter while in Rome.

Ancient Art: With the Roman's fingers in many pies many examples of ancient art were returned to Rome from Greece, and the Etruscan areas of Italy and Corsica. Anything dated before 200 AD can be classified as Ancient art. Much of this art is associated with, and details the importance of the funerary rites. This was a practical application of the artist's craft. The other focus of ancient art was decorative household items, mosaics, and jewelery. The chief repository of Etruscan art in Rome is the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, but examples of ancient art are to be found all over Rome.

Medieval Art: Art dating from 200 AD to about 1430 can be classified as medieval. Medieval art was heavily influenced by the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity. During the one thousand plus years of this period, styles such as Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic were defined. The wealth of the church influenced the work that was being done, which is why religious subjects can dominate in this period. Much that survives today is in the form of sculptures and carvings as they were more durable than frescoes. Individual artists were not well known.

Renaissance: In the years 1300 to 1600 the renaissance style emerged. It began in Florence and swept Italy and th
e world. As well as art it influenced literature, politics, science, philosophy and religion - it was a change in the way of thinking. Artists instead of displaying religious or social themes began to look at light and shadow, human anatomy, nature and scenes of every day life. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are considered two of the finest Renaissance artists.

Renaissance to Neoclassicism: From 1600 to 1830 the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassic styles evolved. Baroque was encouraged by the Catholic Church as it depicted religious themes. As this was being driven from Rome many of the famous Baroque artists were working in Rome. Caravaggio, Bernini and the Carracci brothers were fine examples of this style.

Rococo was a further evolution of the Baroque style and employed decorative touches to the baroque themes and there was a slight move away from church themes. Tiepolo works are often classified as Rococo. The move to Neoclassicism moved from religious themes to those drawing on legends of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Modern: And anything after the 1800's falls into the modern category, although here too there are many sub styles.

Each style is a representation of the world at the time it was painted. At times religious influence had a huge impact of subject matters and then there would be a move away from these themes. The best way to approach art is have an open mind, actually look at what you see and don't worry about the labels that been applied to any particular work. The old adage always holds true 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.

Annie Deakin is an expert furniture and interior design writer who is currently interested in coffee tables, kitchen design and kitchen tables.