The Ringling Museum of Art was worth the trip to Sarasota, Florida. At first, I didn\'t know what to expect. I thought it would be a boring museum of prints or a limited collection on display for a period of time; however, this was not the case. John Ringling was co-founder and owner in 1884, along...

Giovanni Francesco Bernardone (Saint Francis) was born in Assisi, Italy to a wealthy merchant father. Francis had an easy and laid back in early life. Later he began a pious life, helped out lepers, and restored old churches. All of Francis\' charity made his father angry with him and Francis was d...

When it comes to powerful religious figures, the Virgin Mary seems to be alone in a Boys' Club. Many people look at the Christian faith and assume it favors males because all of its spiritual leaders are male (Jesus, the Apostles, and even God is called "He"). However, the Virgin Mar...

Saint Francis of Assisi Saint Francis of Assisi was born in 1182, the only son of Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant of central Italy. Peitro gave his son the name of Giovanni at baptism, though he afterwards changed it to Francesco, perhaps in honor of his trading in France. Pietro's...

Da Vinci's "Last Supper" is a priceless piece of art with much hidden meaning. Under the study of Verrocchio as a painter and a sculptor, he was able to use his skills in creating a very detailed and a very naturalistic piece of work that would be remembered for hundreds of years. He was also able t...