This document provides information on art and architecture in Palermo, Italy from different historical periods. It discusses Arab-Norman art from the 11th century when the Normans invaded Sicily and created a new style combining Arab and Norman influences. Examples given include the Monreale Cathedral from 1174 known for its Byzantine mosaics. It also describes iconic artworks and artists from the Italian Renaissance like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, Michelangelo's David, and Raphael's School of Athens. The document concludes with brief biographies of the Italian architect Renzo Piano and artists Alberto Abate and Arnaldo Pomodoro.

1. BRIDGES ACROSS TIMES
- LEADING PERSONALITIES IN ARTS -
EUROPE SEEN THROUGH ITS LEADING
PERSONALITIES
PALERMO, ITALY
Michelangelo
Da
Messina
Arab-norman art Italian Renaissance EXPO and
contemporary art

3. History
In 827, the Arabs
conquered Sicily,
but in the second
half of the XI
century the country
was invaded by the
Normans.
Then a new style
was created with
the union of Arab
and Norman style.

4. The Norman nobles financed the Arab
craftsmen to build the public monuments.
The interiors of the churches were
decorated with byzantine mosaics.

5. It was built in 1174 by
william II of hauteville.
it became famous for
its Byzantine mosaics
which are inside the
church.
Monreale
Cathedral

6. Typical features:
• massive structure
• geometric plan
• pointed arch
St. John of the hermits’ church
Palermo Cathedral plan
Cloister of
Monreale Cathedral

7. The
Palatine
chapel
Its most important features are the golden mosaics, which cover
all the walls inside the church. The most famous is the one
called “Christ Pantocrator” (the All-powerful).
The church is dedicated to saints Paul and Peter apostles. It is
inside the Norman Palace and it was built by Roger II.

8. The Royal Palace
It’s one of the most important historic buildings in
Palermo and Sicily; many tourists visit this palace
every year.
Punic remains are situated under the Palace.

9. Zisa palace
The Zisa was the summer residence for the
Norman kings. The Zisa is clearly inspired
by Moorish architecture. The name Zisa
itself derives from the Arab term al-Azīz,
meaning "dear" or "splendid".
Muqarnas decorate walls and ceilings
1° slide

10. The Italian Renaissance
Leonardo da Vinci
Raffaello Sanzio
Antonello da Messina
Michelangelo
Buonarroti
1° slide

11. Leonardo da Vinci
1452 1519

12. Study of human
anatomy
- Mechanism of birth
- Mechanism of reproduction
- Muscles
- Bones

13. Mona Lisa
- Dated 1503-1514
- Portrait of a noble woman from
Florence
- Realistic style

14. The Last Supper
- Dated 1494-1498
- Representation of Jesus’ last supper
- Use of central perspective

15. Raffaello Sanzio
1493 1520

16. Vatican rooms
- Started 1508 and completed 1524
- Representation of philosophy and religious events
- A lot of good artists worked there, in particular Raphael

17. The School of Athens
- Dated 1509-1510
- It shows the most important philosophers
- Raphael used the central perspective

18. The Last Judgement
- Dated 1536-1541
- It represents the
Doomsday
- It was highly criticized
for the nudity

19. Michelangelo Buonarroti
1475 1564

20. The Pity
- Dated 1497-1499
- It depicts the Virgin and
Jesus
- Marble sculpture

21. David
- Dated 1501-1504
- It represents David, the second king of
Israel
- White marble sculpture

22. The Creation of Adam
- Dated 1511
- Representation of the first man’s creation
- Bare background

23. Antonello da Messina
1430 1479

24. The Unknown Marinar
- Dated 1465-1476
- Portrait of an unknown man
thought to be a marinar
- three quarters pose

25. The Announced
- Dated 1476
- It depicts the Virgin
- It’s the moment when she is
warned about her future

27. Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life
WOMANLINESS

28. Is it possible to guarantee water and food for
the entire world population?
Is it possible to increase food security?
Is it possible to
have new
solutions that take
into account the
planet’s
biodiversity?

29. Renzo Piano is an Italian Pritzker Prize-winning
architect. In 2006, Piano was selected by time as
one of the 100 most influential people in the
world. He was selected as the 10th most
influential person in the "Arts and
Entertainment" category of the 2006 Time 100.
London skyline has changed
thanks to the Shard London
Bridge by Renzo Piano. Once it
was called “London Bridge
Tower”, but now everyone knows
it as “the glass splinter”.

30. Alberto Abate (Rome, 1946-2012) was an italian
painter and essayst. He’s regarded as one of the
most representative artist of the 22nd century.
All his paintings are
characterized by the
use of many symbols
which refer to a
bigger meaning. This
technique causes the
sensation of the truth
seen through the
mirror of the painter
and of the observer.

31. Arnaldo Pomodoro
(born 23 June 1926) is
an Italian sculptor. He
was born in Morciano,
Romagna, Italy. He
currently lives and
works in Milan.
This huge Sphere is made in
bronze in 1998 by the
sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.
It’s based on a polyester
model made for the
Montreal Expò. The citizens
of Pesaro call it the “Palla di
Pomodoro”.
Since then the Big Sphere
became a traditional point of
interest for the tourists. 1° slide