About Suzanne Pearson
Suzanne Pearson is a freelance researcher specializing in the histories of art and, in particular, the seemingly polar fields of street art and the Renaissance in the Netherlandish region and in Italy. She is currently extending her field of study to include the UNESCO bid for the Enclos Paroissiaux of Finistère, a series of sites of architectural and religious importance close to where she lives.
Education
MA Art History
The Open University
BA (Hons) Humanities with Art History
The Open University
Areas of Expertise
About Suzanne Pearson
Suzanne Pearson is a freelance researcher specializing in the histories of art and, in particular, the seemingly polar fields of street art and the Renaissance in the Netherlandish region and in Italy. She is currently extending her field of study to include the UNESCO bid for the Enclos Paroissiaux of Finistère, a series of sites of architectural and religious importance close to where she lives.
Education
MA Art History
The Open University
BA (Hons) Humanities with Art History
The Open University
Areas of Expertise
10 Famous Renaissance Works About Ancient Rome
Renaissance artists began to study ancient Rome and mythology, finding that many lessons could be drawn from this period of great statesmanship and artistic advancement.
10 Famous Renaissance Works Inspired by Classical Antiquity
The rediscovery of the philosophy and mythology of the ancient world in the 14th century sparked the Renaissance. Tales from Greek antiquity were revived.
Stolen History? The Heated Debate Over Where Great Art Really Belongs
In February 2026, in the sale room of Sotheby’s, an unprepossessing, double-sided painting by the great artist Antonello da Messina sold for $14.9 million.
5 Works by Duccio That Revolutionized 13th-Century Italian Art
Duccio di Buoninsegna was central to the establishment of the Sienese school, combining the finer aspects of Byzantine and Western European art.
How the Collapse of the Byzantine Empire Fueled the Renaissance
Defeats in warfare and looting may not seem to be the ideal artistic foundations. However, the Byzantine Empire’s decline provided the bedrock for the Renaissance.
How Polyptychs Transformed Religious Art
A product of Byzantine art and the early Renaissance in Italy, the polyptych made a significant impact on religious art.
What Is the Symbolism of Lapis Lazuli in Art and Culture?
Lapis lazuli has appeared worldwide in art and cultural imagery for millennia, often highlighting the most reverent people and places with its profound blue.
The Art of Remembering Death (Memento Mori) and Life (Memento Vivere)
Often portrayed as an explicit reminder of our mortality, memento mori and its counterpart, memento vivere, have a long history rooted in philosophy and art.
Everything You Need to Know About Orthodox Icons & Their Symbolism
Rooted in Byzantine art, Orthodox iconography flourished in numerous regions of the eastern Mediterranean and into Russia over the centuries.
How the Triptych Transformed From Sacred Icon to Artistic Weapon
A triptych is an artwork comprising three panels joined, traditionally, by hinges. In the medieval period, triptychs were religious objects.
What Is a Diptych? Definition & Examples
The portable art of the diptych was first used during the Byzantine era. Its popularity grew throughout the medieval period and the Renaissance.
The Journey of Lapis Lazuli, Art’s Most Prized Pigment
What is Lapis Lazuli? What are its origins? How has it persisted throughout the history of art?