Behind the Fig Leaf

Zoom in on the key people and events that gave birth to the Renaissance Era. Get to know their obstacles and backstories, their loves, losses, and victories. Above all, understand their art and the driving forces behind it.
How did the little walled-in town of Florence give rise to this massive swell of geniuses that together became the thundering voice that dragged Western Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the light?
Could it be possible that the 1,000-year medieval Dark Ages could have changed so radically simply because of art?
With nearly 400 images, tales, humorous anecdotes, and thoroughly-researched history, Italy expert and author Patty Civalleri treats you to one of the most delightfully fun and easy reads you have enjoyed in years.
The Take-Away: You will be among the smartest people in the room when it comes to Renaissance Art History!

Patty Civalleri

Patty Civalleri is a historian and armchair archaeologist who has traveled for 17 years to the deepest corners of the ancient past in search of lost civilizations all over the planet. She serves on the Director's Council of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA and as a Board Member of the Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies at California State University in Long Beach. She has written and photographed for the Costen Institute’s prestigious journals in addition to over 150 business and marketing clients around the country. She lives in Southern California.