The Renaissance was a period of time in Europe that was known for its increase in art and literature. It began in Italy. There were other topics that were also included in the Renaissance which were science, music and humanism to name a few. Due to trading with merchants, the people had to go to different places to sell their wares.
So, Renaissance and ideas spread to other countries in Europe and even in Asia. Genoa was part of the Renaissance, but they did not participate like the other cities in Italy in the art. This is because they were heavily involved in trading and shipbuilding. Then there was limited activity involved in art. The citizens did not want to stop what they were doing and participate in art.
I believe this statement may be incorrect because there were Renaissance art forms created in Genoa, Italy. Not all artists that lived and worked in Genoa during this period were Italian by birth. But, artists such as Van Dyck, Joos van Cleve, and Rubens did live and work in Genoa for a time. Sure, the more famous artists like da Vinci, Donatello, or Michelangelo did not spend much, if any time, in Genoa.
But, Genoa is also known for several museums built during the Italian Renaissance. Perino del Vaga, worked for almost ten years in Genoa as a court artist to Admiral-Prince Andrea Doria. And, del Vaga decorated Doria’s new palace and villa.