We are pleased to share with you the information about the first reading group of 2025. We warmly welcome your participation and kindly ask for your assistance in spreading the word.

Taiwan Association of Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies (TACMRS) 2025 Reading Groups

Art and Power in Renaissance Florence

Reading Group Moderator: Dr Koching Chao, Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts, National Taiwan Normal University

Date and Time: 2025. 10. 25 (Saturday) 10:00-12:00

Location: Room 101, Department of Fine Arts, National Taiwan Normal University

Registration: https://forms.gle/V3zWfoN38jdW9apt9

In the Western history, Renaissance marked a pivotal shift from the Middle Ages toward early modern Europe. As the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence witnessed the revival of classical ideals and led the resurgence of Western culture, art and architecture. From the fifteenth century onward, artists and architects drew on the legacies of ancient Greece and Rome, transforming them into visual languages and artistic forms that responded to contemporary cultural and intellectual currents. The all’antica styles of painting, sculpture, and architecture together shaped Florence’s distinctive urban landscape, establishing the city as a lasting symbol of artistic and intellectual achievement. Moreover, Florence’s republican government, civic humanism, and thriving networks of banking and commerce made it a hub of political and cultural power. One great example is the Medici family, whose patronage in arts and culture fostered humanist thought, driving innovation in philosophy, academic study, and visual arts.

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, this reading group aims to introduce participants to a city where history and art intersect. We will explore Florence’s singular role in the development of Renaissance art, with particular attention to the Medici family, whose strategic use of art and architecture projected political power while creating a lasting cultural legacy that helped define the Renaissance.

We sincerely invite anyone who is interested in the history of Florence, as well as Renaissance art history to join us. Please scan the QR code to complete the registration form. We warmly welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students, members of the academic community, and the general public. Please also feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested!

After successful registration, we will send you a link to the reading materials along with an online form for submitting your questions.

Best regards,

TACMRS Secretariat