Abstract
The paper demonstrates the historical value of a text entitled, "The Life of Cola di Rienzo" and outlines what a historian can learn about the period in question from the life-story of this leader of medieval Rome. The paper describes the text and emphasizes that its real strength is in how it vividly recaptures the political machinations - the viciousness, the intrigues, the deceit and the murderous impulses - that allowed some men to rule over others whilst other men were condemned to death. The paper discusses how the book stands out as a glimpse into the seamier side of medieval Roman politics. From there, the paper proceeds to discuss the early life of di Rienzo, the unhappy situation which forced him into action, his eventful time as Tribune or imperial leader of Rome, and his eventual collapse. The paper asserts that the text is very good at showing how things really were during this period.

From the Paper
"The ensuing several pages will demonstrate/discuss the historical value of a text entitled, "The Life of Cola di Rienzo" and outline what a historian can learn about the period in question from the life-story of this leader of medieval Rome. To start things off, the essay will briefly describe the text and emphasize that its real strength is in how it vividly recaptures the political machinations - the viciousness, the intrigues, the deceit and the murderous impulses - that allowed some men to rule over others whilst other men were condemned to death; in short, the book stands out as..."

Tags:historical, value, rienzo

Abstract
After presenting a brief biography of the life of Italian Renaissance artist Giotto di Bondone, this paper goes on to discuss some of his more famous works of art and the influence he had on other artists. The paper also discusses the quality that made his artwork so special, even though he lacked the technical knowledge of anatomy that many painters who came after him possessed.

From the Paper
"Giotto di Bondone was an accomplished painter, architect, and sculptor and is often touted as being "the first genius of art in the Italian Renaissance." (Eimerl, The World of Giotto) Giotto lived and worked during the renaissance period, this was a pivotal time in history people were beginning to open their minds to new ways of thinking and being. Giotto's work focused primarily on traditional religious subjects, yet through his remarkable talents he was able to imbue his subjects with "earthly, full-blooded life and force." "

Tags:vespignano, florence, italy, cimabue, dante, frescoes, assisi, the, passions, of, christ, cathedral

Abstract
This paper discusses how the biographical account of Rosso Fionrentino's artistry has been conveyed through the painting Allegory of Salvation with the Virgin and Christ Child. By realizing the growing rift between classical painters and the new Mannerism of the High Renaissance, one can realize how the various anatomy, form, color, and lighting play into the intellectual stylistics of this work. The paper further discusses how the symbolic representation of Mary and Jesus becomes a distorted and often bizarre account of the Bible, which seeks deeper intellectual qualities that depict a more abstract religious experience.

From the Paper
"This art study will examine the nature of Mannerist painting within the work of Giovanni Battista di Jacopo's (Rosso Fiorentino) "Allegory of Salvation with the Virgin and Christ Child." By realizing the painter's biographical background, one can realize the Christian symbols and motifs that reside within this painting. The sense of In comparing this painting to his other works, the Mannerist dictates of style often allowed these deviations from form and anatomy, which Mary and Christ invoke in this work. Although this work would be considered of his middle period, the trends in his painting did not deviate too far from the Mannerism that he enjoyed so much in his stylistics. "

Tags:christ, mary, art

From the Paper
"The Leopard (Il gattopardo) was published in 1958 by Prince Giuseppe (Maria Fabrizio) Tomasi di Lampedusa. This historical novel chronicles the impact of Garibaldi's invasion of Sicily: "In May, 1860, Garibaldi sailed for Sicily, to win the island from the Bourbons" (9-10). Lampedusa goes into detail with the subsequent unification of Italy, and how this affects one specific Sicilian family who had thrived under the Bourbon kings.

Historically it is important to note that The Leopard shows the failure of the Risorgimento, and this created controversial political debates when it was first put out. Since that time, however, the arguments have subsided, and the novel is now recognized as a very complex psychological study of a specific age. Its style is highly symbolic, as well as richly poetic."

Abstract
A discussion of the artist Michelangelo. The author provides a brief overview of his life, a discussion of his major works, his contributions to society and his influence on the Renaissance.

From the Paper
"The word Renaissance, used for the first time by Vasari in his book "Vite" to refer to the historic period between the late 14th century and the second half of the16th century, was meant to indicate the new birth, the re-birth of art. Fundamentally, from the philosophical point of view, the Renaissance also meant naturalism, in other words, the study of man and the universe without the use of metaphysics. It was thereby obvious that in Renaissance man became the center and measure of all things, a chosen creator who echoes the deep harmony between the microcosm and the macrocosm. For Italian artists who studied the ancient statues, they were therefore aiming at achieving a similar rendition of physical reality by using rediscovered techniques. For example, Renaissance sculptors would make use of perspective, nudes and equestrian statues as subject. The revival of interest in the Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, seen from a free and lay point of view, made it possible to uphold man and his possibilities of free thought and action in the period of Renaissance. Through artistic rebirth, the re-appreciation of man led to the culmination of several of the greatest artworks in the history of human being."

Tags:history, sculpture, picture, painting, museum, history

Abstract
This paper examines empowerment and dis-empowerment of public schools as a means of increasing student achievement. The concept of empowerment is first defined and discussed. This discussion is followed by an examination of the literature on the characteristics of both empowered and dis-empowered schools. The next section of the paper examines methods and strategies for shifting a dis-empowered school to an empowered school.

From the Paper
"This paper examines empowerment and dis-empowerment of public schools as a means of increasing student achievement. The concept of empowerment is first defined and discussed. This discussion is followed by an examination of the literature on the characteristics of both empowered and dis-empowered schools. The next section of the paper examines methods and strategies for shifting a dis-empowered school to an empowered school."

Tags:empowered schools, disempowered, student achievement, NCLB

Abstract
This paper discusses how, beginning in Canto VIII as Virgil and Dante approach the City of Dis, their journey slows then stops at the gate. It contends that the entrance to the City of Dis causes a climactic battle between Heaven and Hell that changes the course of Dante's journey and of the poem.

From the Paper
"The legion of rebel angels tries to persuade Virgil from his undead companion, leaving Dante to find his way out alone, if at all. At this Dante breaks the 'fourth wall' and addresses his audience directly, pleading with the reader to "but conceive of his dismay" at being left alone (94). This entire scene has a heightened sense of drama, with more fear, distress, and anxiety than any previous. Appealing directly to the audience Dante seems to be pulling the reader deeper into the scene. Dante pleads for Virgil not to forsake him, offering to quit altogether and hasten back (100). While Virgil holds council with the demons the narrative focuses on Dante and his growing fears of abandonment. "

Tags:power, virgil

Abstract
Using William Ashbrook's article on the two early performances and successes or failures of Donizetti operas "Belisario" and "Lucia di Lammermoor", this paper conveys the general assumptions that back then, Italian opera was judged by the audiences and therefore popularity, and not by their musical values.

From the Paper
"According to William Ashbrook, Lucia di Lammermoor did not have an early success. Surprisingly, Belisario was more popular. However, the author also makes it clear that in the first half of the Nineteenth century, the so-called critics were more interested in the singers than in the operas or their composers. There were relatively few if any critics, not the type we have today. The "critics" were the audience. And they let a singer or composer or conductor k now right away how they felt. Ashbrook writes that he relied on three journals of the period but since there was censorship, these journals seldom reported what the reception..."

Tags:lucia di lammermoor, belisario, 19th century opera

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the painting 'Madonna and Child' by Duccio di Buoninsegna. The writer notes that the Italian formalization of the Gothic style was implemented within the medium and stylistics of this medieval painting. The writer points out that Buoninsegna's style was part of the Sienese School, which held to the non-passive dictates of religiosity within the Christian iconography in the 13th and 14th centuries. The writer maintains that Buoninsegna was influential in creating a non-passive baby Jesus, which helped to transform the way that the Madonna and Child had been perceived earlier in Christine art. In essence, the formal, iconographic, and historical facets of 'Madonna and Child' by Duccio di Buoninsegna are analyzed in this study.

From the Paper
"The medium of the painting is the common usage of tempera on wooden panels. In the late medieval style it was common to use this form of paint to help bring about a lush and thick layer-based type of paint to bring out the varying contrasting hues. Also, the painting uses gold to help bring about the divine sunlight or religious light of Jesus, as he is reaching toward his mother's face. Mary is draped in a black gown as she looks down upon her divine child. Gold inner-fabric is surrounding her face, as the artist is clearing defining a demarcation of her face in contrast with her dark hood, as she is gazing downward in majesty. The composition has Mary centered in the painting, but has the baby Jesus set off the lower right side."

Tags:gothic, perspective, artistic, painting

Abstract
This paper describes the remaining pieces of the fresco "The Triumph of Death", painted by Andrea di Cione Arcangelo. The paper explains that the subject of the fresco is the effect of the great bubonic plague that decimated the population of Europe during the 1300s. The paper also explains that it is likely that Adrea di Cione Arcangelo, also known as Orcagna, was not the only artist who worked on "The Triumph of Death", as it was common in that era for several artists to work together to complete a work of art.

From the Paper
"Given the state of the civilized world right after the Plague, it is no wonder there is such great confusion about whether Andrea Orcagna actually painted the "Triumph of Death". We have to remember that even in days of the Renaissance to come that a master would do the original mock-up or design for a painting but his apprentices would do the actual painting itself except for a few special touches. If one painter worked on one painting by himself in the early Gothic and before, it is possible that the death of so many apprentices and masters during the Plague forced those painters and other artists alive after the great destruction, that everybody worked on everything together so they could get it done."

Tags:literature, architecture, education, suffering, retribution, horrible, old, woman, cloacked, black, pain