The city is a place where “social power and culture are most centralized… and where issues related to civilization are focalized”1 . Exploring the nature and functions of the city in the transformation of time and space fields is conducive to studying civilization. In classical antiquity

the“ city” existed more as a gathering place of nobility

and imperial

monarchical

and military power. Since the Renaissance

the political and military functions of the city have gradually weakened

while the civic culture fully developed. Thus

the city in the modern sense took shape. Modern cities are closely related to the life of citizens

and the modern perceptual art demonstrates the modern cities as well as the urban spirits to the full. Liu Xuguang’s new work The Origin of European Modern Art Spirit - The Culture and Art of Florence in the Renaissance

against the background of the Renaissance and focusing on Florence a modern city

conducts a case study of the modern urban culture and art. It uncovers the significance of the renaissance of modern cities

the essence of the urban spirit

and the secrets of the internal relations between urban life and art.