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Similar to Mannerism, but using strong contrasts of light and shade to achieve high drama (16th–17th centuries).

Conservative, static, stylized in Eastern iconographic tradition of the 9th–13th centuries AD. Almond faces, large eyes, robes pleated in gold cross-hatching.

This hotchpotch collection preserves Etruscan finds as well as Renaissance and Baroque paintings, a few Egyptian artifacts, decorative arts, and works by the local Futurist Gino Severini.

Heavily influenced by Greek art. Funerary urns and large statues and bronze votives of the 8th–4th centuries BC.

The crowds come for Michelangelo’s David (1501–4), then stay for his Slaves , carved for the tomb of Julius II, and paintings by Botticelli, Lorenzo di Credi, Orcagna, Perugino and del Sarto.

Italy’s top sculpture gallery, with the world’s best collection of Donatellos. Other sculptures by Cellini, Giambologna and Michelangelo.

The Galleria Palatina features Raphael Madonnas and Titian beauties alongside works by Andrea del Sarto, Perugino, Signorelli, Caravaggio and Rubens. Palatial décor is the backdrop to collections of costumes, silverware and carriages (see Pitti Palace, Florence).

The instruments displayed here are often as beautiful as they are scientifically significant. Exhibits include a mechanical “calculator” made of engraved disks, a perpetual motion machine and the telescopes with which Galileo discovered the moons of Jupiter.

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus , Leonardo’s Annunciation and Michelangelo’s Holy Family are just three of the masterpieces that make this the top sight in all of Tuscany (see The Uffizi, Florence).

More expressive, colourful and realistic than Byzantine. Flowing lines and dramatic gestures (13th–14th centuries).