This course studies the painting, architecture, and sculpture of the sixteenth century, emphasizing the works of major artists and architects such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bramante, Giorgione, Titian,Palladio and their contemporaries. We will focus on major artistic centers such as Florence, Venice, and Rome, as well as court cities such as Milan, Parma, Mantua, and Ferrara. We will also consider the ways in which the demands of patrons and institutions shaped works of art and engage in detailed discussions of the social, political, and cultural background of the arts and the changing status of the artist.