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Florence and the Invention of the Renaissance
One-day course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
When the artist and writer Giorgio Vasari published the first edition of his magisterial Lives of the Artists in 1550, he was articulating theories about the ‘rebirth’ of art and the classical world in Italy that had been current for decades. Being loyal to his adopted city of Florence he easily placed her at the centre of this cultural explosion.
This study day will explore why we still consider Florence as the cradle of what we call the Renaissance. We will consider Vasari’s role in codifying our notions of art history and the pivotal character of Florentine artists in shaping that history. With a mix of lectures highlighting seminal moments in this ‘invention’ as well as Vasari the man, Q&As and object spotlights, we will consider what the idea of the Renaissance meant to Vasari and his contemporaries. We will also examine drawings and original editions of the Lives from the V&A’s collections, thereby bringing to life the world of Renaissance Italy as well as the intellectual milieu that informed Vasari’s work.
> Prefer the flexibility of online? Book now for Florence and the Invention of the Renaissance (online)
Please note, the study day will not be recorded. Suitable for participants aged 18 or over.
> Prefer the flexibility of online? Book now for Florence and the Invention of the Renaissance (online)
Please note, the study day will not be recorded. Suitable for participants aged 18 or over.
Study Day Leader
Dr Kevin Childs
Kevin Childs is a freelance writer and lecturer on culture and art history in the United Kingdom and Italy, where he leads specialised tours of Rome, Venice and Florence. He has taught courses at the Victoria and Albert Museum for nearly ten years and has taught on the Art History and Visual Culture BA course at Exeter University.
A wonderful opportunity to learn in a world class museum Previous V&A Academy Course Attendee
Course overview
Join us on this one-day Renaissance course to explore how the idea of the Renaissance emerged in Florence in the late 15th and 16th centuries. This study day will delve deep into the world of Renaissance artists through the lens of their first and greatest biographer, Giorgio Vasari.
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Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Get precious time with incredible exemplars, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
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One-day course: Florence and the Invention of the Renaissance
5 February 2026
£100.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
Header image: The Conversion of St Paul, Oil painting, Giovanni Francesco Rustici, The Conversion of St Paul, c. 1525, Florence ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London