The Art of Religion: How Italy’s Catholic roots have impacted my view on religion.

Disha Dhananjay ’26 is a Law major studying at Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy this Summer 2024.

Religion is complicated. At least for me it always has been. I grew up in a Hindu household, but in a country where Hinduism is a minority religion. This meant that my parents had to work twice as hard to make sure that my brother and I were instilled with Hindu values and exposed to religious holidays and our culture. And while my parents did a great job, because I have now learned to love the beauty of Hinduism, the idea of religion still fascinates me.

This past spring quarter, right before I left for study abroad, I took a comparative religious ethics class. The class taught be about the ethical principles of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. I always knew I had an interest to learn about religions other than my own but this class taught me that i truly love learning about religion and culture. For me, traveling not only means exposure to culture, food and architecture, but also religion and how God across the world looks different to everyone.

Therefore, studying in Italy and visiting Rome and the Vatican has been an immersive and first hand experience to learning more about Catholicism. One of the classes I am currently taking in Florence, The Life and Works of Michelangelo, has taught me the most about how art and Catholicism are intertwined in Italy. Michelangelo’s works ranging from the wooden figure of Jesus in the Santo Spirito chapel to the paintings in the Sistine Chapel, are all able to convey religious emotion through art. Michelangelo, specifically but other artists as well, were all able to give catholicism so many significant pieces and symbols to cherish for centuries to come. Having an artist so devoted to art and religion is rare and incredibly interesting to study.

Even though I am not Catholic I think I can still have an appreciation for the religion and the history and culture behind it. It is fascinating to me how biblically stories and events were converted into sculptures and murals so well and allowed followers of Catholicism to feel immersed in their religion. I think that given people a very spiritual yet tangible connection to their God.

Michelangelo’s works and what I have learned in class have left me incredibly interested in learning more about Catholicism and exploring the idea of religion itself. I hope to take more classes at home that are focused on religion and always continue to stay curious about religion, especially when traveling.