Back to Show
Rick Steves' Europe
Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence
Season 12
Episode 1208
From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. We travel to Spain and Portugal where overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture and ethereal paintings by El Greco. In bustling Germany and Belgium, new technologies enable Durer’s mass-produced engravings, Van Eyck’s meticulous oil paintings, Brueghel’s peasants at play, and the futuristic visions of Bosch.
Support Provided By

24:56
Kraków's grand square, Wawel Castle, communist-era Nowa Huta; sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau.

25:34
The ultimate road trip; Lake Mývatn; Eastfjords; lagoons and waterfalls; Westman Islands.

25:38
The vibrant capital; Blue Lagoon; Golden Circle's majestic nature; Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Unlock with PBS Passport
25:16
The turbulent century and its rule-breaking art—Picasso, Surrealism and edgy architecture.

28:26
Shimmering Impressionist canvases by Monet and Renoir, plus Van Gogh, Gauguin and more.

Unlock with PBS Passport
25:18
Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.

28:22
We marvel at Baroque’s over-the-top churches, palaces, bubbly fountains, and theatric art.

28:03
Florence’s bold “rebirth” is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.

Unlock with PBS Passport
25:36
Soaring Gothic cathedrals of radiant stained glass, plus art celebrating worldly pleasure.

25:18
Early Europeans produce diverse art: from Christians to Muslims and Byzantines to Vikings.

28:23
The grand cities of ancient Rome’s vast empire and majestic churches of its fall.

Unlock with PBS Passport
25:37
Rome’s rise, as seen in its supersized monuments, colorful mosaics, and marble Caesars.