The Renaissance is in many ways synonymous with rivalry – among artists, patrons, popes, and rulers. As the story goes, it all began in 1401 with a competition between Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, who were both attempting to rival the ancients and establish themselves in the Florentine competitive market, which the Medici family would soon dominate until they too were over‐turned, and the focus shifted to Rome. Indeed, the Renaissance ideal of renovation, the revival of classical letters and arts, was built upon imitation, which was built upon the concept of surpassing one’s rivals, past and present – a challenge that Michelangelo embraced from his very beginnings. And central to the Renaissance is Michelangelo, the great protagonist of his time, or as Giorgio Vasari said: “Force yourself to imitate Michelangelo in everything.” Imagine how such artists as Leonardo, Raphael, Bramante, Titian and Tintoretto responded to the challenge – not by bloodshed, but rather by artistic endeavor. This class will focus not only on artistic rivalry but also on competition among patrons, popes, rulers and city states, all in the pursuit of extraordinary art and power.