10.
VENETIAN MERCHANTS exchanging cloth for oriental produce (early to
mid-fourteenth century). The Venetian empire grew through a system of
depots and colonies to which local merchants would bring their wares.
11.
THE FLORENTINE PAINTER SANDRO BOTTICELLI ( 1445-1510) was in close
contact with the Neoplatonic circle around Lorenzo de' Medici, and
later with the Dominican Savonarola. His
Calumny of Apelles (
1485-95) is typical of his interest in classical allegorical themes,
while also revealing some of the drama and intensity that was to
characterize his later religious works.