italy
The "rebirth" of art in Italy was connected with the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature, and science and the evolution of empirical methods of study in these fields. Increased awareness of classical knowledge created a new resolve to learn by direct observation and study of the natural world. Consequently, secular themes became increasingly important to artists, and with the revived interest in antiquity came a new repertoire of subjects drawn from Greek and Roman history and mythology. The models provided by ancient buildings and works of art also inspired the development of new artistic techniques and the desire to re-create the forms and styles of classical art. As these new styles of linear and aerial perspective and pyramid structures came into use by Alberti, paintings were able to carry better-recognized religious ideas because the paintings became more transparent and more vivid in detail. Finally, artists in the high Renaissance such as Da Vinci, and Raphael developed paintings in the narrative style that demonstrated the "body in a more scientific and natural manner," thus demonstrating the various aspects of every day life. Claude Monet is perhaps one of the most world renowned impressionist painters. Born in Paris in 1840, he entered the world just as technology began to change the ways of society. As a child Monet showed his interests in nature. He could barely keep his patience in school, and felt the presence of the nature and outdoors call to him from inside. He would sketch out caricatures of teachers, and relatives, and sell them from within the window of a local framing shop owned by a Eugene Boudin. When it came to his art work, Monet received no inspiration from his parents.