The Italian Influence: How the Renaissance Shaped London’s Scene

The Italian Renaissance didn’t just transform Italy, it cast a spell over London too. Even Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled over England and Ireland during this great period of growth, embraced the fascination, calling herself demi Italienne, or “half Italian”. Today, in certain pockets of the capital, the artistic, intellectual, and architectural influence of Renaissance Italy can still be felt.

Inspired by the Royal Academy of Arts’ exhibition Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504, take a tour of London’s Italian connections where Renaissance ideals continue to leave their impression.

Building London in Palladian Style

Start your journey at Burlington House, home of the Royal Academy of Arts. Its classic columns and sweeping proportions are prime examples of Palladian architecture, named after the Renaissance genius Andrea Palladio, who reignited a new world of classical architecture.

Palladio’s influence didn’t stop at the Academy’s doors – his legacy shines in the designs of England’s own Inigo Jones, the man who truly brought Italian classical architecture to London.

A short walk from Buckingham Palace, Banqueting House in Whitehall is one of Jones’s finest works - a true slice of Renaissance Italy in the heart of London. This masterpiece remains one of only three buildings designed by Jones that still stand today.

Nearby, Covent Garden Piazza transports visitors to an Italian-style square. Jones modelled the open square after Italian piazzas, complete with St. Paul’s Church which still overlooks bustling street performers today. Though only the church remains of his original design, it still captures his love for Italian classical detail with its columned portico entrance.

For the next stop on your Italian journey, head east to Greenwich and Queen’s House. This beautiful building, framed by the twin domes of the Old Royal Naval College, features Jones’s original floating spiral staircase and an exquisite Great Hall adorned with black and white chequered flooring. Here, Jones perfected the principles of symmetry and balance he so admired in Italy.

Italian Tales on London’s Stage

Italian storytelling, with its passion, drama, and intrigue, captivated English creatives, particularly William Shakespeare. From the star-crossed lovers in Romeo and Juliet to the intrigue of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s works were deeply inspired by Italian tales.

His plays continue to enchant audiences in London, including at Shakespeare’s Globe on the Thames, where Tudor-era ambience brings these stories to life. Seeing a Shakespearean play here is a wonderfully immersive way to step back into London’s Renaissance roots.

Renaissance thinkers to modern scientists

The Italian Renaissance also ushered in a new age of scientific discovery, with luminaries like Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Their dedication to understanding the natural world inspired a wave of scientific curiosity across Europe, including England.

In 1660, the Royal Society was founded in London, promoting scientific exploration and research inspired by Renaissance thinking – positioning knowledge as a path to human betterment. What started as a ripple effect of the Renaissance continues today. The Royal Society hosts talks on topics from artificial intelligence to quantum physics and remains a hub of innovation.

Continue your exploration of the Italian influence on London with Brown’s Hotel’s An Artistic Escape in Mayfair, complete with VIP exhibition admission for two.