[phoenix]

I couldn't write more before because I needed to get in a taxi, but just on the british/italian sculpture comments..

Italian renaissance sculpture is what it is, because of the materials and money available to artists at the time in the area. Yes there are wonderful timeless peices, in the sense they are eternally aesthetically pleaseing ( what man could ever say an image of himself isnt... beautiful.. it is human nature, no? ) but they exist all the more magestically due to the context of their creation. I am assuming you have some knowledge of art history here, if you don't then please read up, because time is very relevant to a piece's impact on the art world around it. The same pieces created now would not have the same impact on the art world.

Also, I'm not sure why contemporary Britain would ever champion the work of old italian sculptures over those currently working from its own country. Art is big bizness now.. in a very different way to back then.