Disegno is an Italian word meaning 'design' or 'drawing'.

Disegno in its deepest sense means both of theses words, or as another way of explaining it, it encompasses both the intellectual ability to design a drawing as well as execute the drawing itself. It designates the ability to invent, design, create, and paint and thereby bring a mere craft to the status of “art”.

In Italian art the term has been applied to all the visual arts as well as to the specific elements that the word denotes.

“The Raising of Lazarus” (1517-19) by Sebastiano del Piombo, with designs by Michelangelo (c.1518)

In the 16th century a dispute took place between the famous painters Michelangelo and Titian

as to whether disegno or it’s opposing concept “colorito” were superior. Colorito is a 16th-century painting style in which color is given more emphasis for expression and thereby giving color itself a unique meaning to the artwork. Michelangelo believed the Florentine style of disegno was superior whereas Titian believed the expressive quality of the Venetian style of colorito prevailed.

"The Rape of Europa" (1560-62) by Titian

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