In the late 15th century, Italy was embroiled in a series of wars that would come to be known as the Italian Wars. These wars were fought between the major powers of Europe, with Italy as the main battleground. As a result, many Italian artists and writers fled the country in search of safety.

Some of the most famous Italian artists of the time, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, left Italy during the wars. They found refuge in other countries, such as France and Spain. Many Italian writers also fled, finding safety in places like Switzerland and Germany.

The Italian Wars had a major impact on the cultural landscape of Europe. The fleeing of Italian artists and writers helped to spread Italian culture to other parts of the continent. It also had a significant impact on the development of the Renaissance, as many of the fleeing Italians were leading figures in that movement.