6 most amazing artworks to see in Italy

When it comes to art, artists, and artwork, Italy is the place to be. Italy is home to some of the world's most iconic artworks, and also the birthplace of some of the most famous artists. From the delicate sculptures of Michelangelo to the frescoes of Raphael, Italy's artistic culture is immense and awe-inspiring.

Here we list 6 most amazing artworks that are housed in Italy.

Michelangelo’s Pieta is a breathtaking marble sculpture placed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It is a famous sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. The sculpture is famous for its incredible detail and emotional depth. The Virgin Mary is shown as a young and serene woman, her face having an expression of sorrow. She is draped in a flowing robe, which Michelangelo skillfully carved to appear soft and natural.
Jesus' body, in contrast, is shown lifeless, hands hanging by the side to show his lifeless nature.

The School of Athens is a fresco by Raphael that was done in one of the rooms in the Vatican known as the ‘Stanza della Segnatura’. It is speculated that the fresco was completed between 1509 and 1511, and shows a gathering of the greatest philosophers and scientists of the ancient world.
The fresco features over fifty characters, each representing a historical figure. At the center are Plato and Aristotle, who look like they are engaged in a discussion. Plato points upwards, which is said to be a symbol of his belief in the divine, and Aristotle points downwards with a book in his other hand which was a symbol of his analytical, more rational nature.

​Michelangelo's David is an anatomically aesthetic sculpture of the biblical figure located in Florence. The sculpture shows David before his battle with Goliath, and he can be seen in a confident, determined stature and posture. The statue is 17 feet tall and is known as the marvel of Renaissance art.

Raphael's ‘Transfiguration’ is in the Vatican Museums, and is considered one of his greatest works. Painted between 1516 and 1520, it shows two different but connected biblical scenes. The upper part of the painting shows the Transfiguration of Christ, who is covered in divine light and flanked by Moses and Elijah. Below, the apostles react with awe and fear. In the lower part, a group of people struggle to heal a boy who is possessed by demons, which becomes the symbol of the human need for the divine.
Raphael's use of colour in this one is beautiful and vibrant and the bright tones above and soft, dark tones below give the painting a sense of movement and life.
(Image: Pinterest)

Leonardo da Vinci's ‘The Last Supper’ is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Placed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this mural shows the moment Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him. The artwork has Jesus in the centre, who looks rather calm in between the shocked and questioning expressions of the apostles. Each disciple reacts differently, and has different expressions on their face which shows Leonardo's ability to convey complex human emotions.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, is one of the most awe-inspiring artworks in the history of art. Located in the Vatican, this vast fresco covers the ceiling of the chapel and shows different scenes from the Book of Genesis.
The central panel, which is the most famous and talked about, shows key moments such as the Creation of Adam, the Fall of Man, and the Great Flood.