The deep connection between the production of art and the social, political, and economic circumstances of a place at a given time is something that has really been at the center of the courses which I have taken in the art history department. This was emphasized again at the beginning of our class on 2/7, with an explanation of the climate in Italy in the 13th and 14th centuries. Italy (though not officially Italy) was divided into a mosaic of separate states with no unifying government or leader. In terms of the economy, we discussed the ways in which the economy was beginning to pick up following the middle ages. Understanding the context surrounding a work of art or an artist allows us to consider works of art for more than just what we are seeing. Courses in art history have really led me to further question what I see and how it may be a reflection of the circumstances it was made under. So far, based on our class lecture and the first set of readings, religion seems to be a key factor influencing the art and architecture which was being created in Italy.