Selvatico, Marchese Pietro

One of the most important writers in mid-19th-century Italy on Gothic art and architecture. His first published research described the history of Paduan architecture. He challenged the contemporary views on aesthetics that were based on the ideas of the Classicists. In his later work, Selvatico studied the art and architecture of Venice particularly its eastern and western influences. He eventually became the Director of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice from 1850-57. Selvatico's spent the latter part of his life trying to reform teaching methods in the Italian academy. Selvatico's writings show the influence of the spiritual and Romantic art writer Alexis-François Rio.