10 Great Renaissance Artists

The Renaissance of 15th- and 16th-century CE Europe witnessed an extraordinary blossoming of artistic talent. In this collection of resources, we look at ten of the greatest artists from the period who offered a whole new approach to painting and sculpture. These masters were most interested in colours, light, proportion, detail, harmony, perspective, and giving their work a wow factor never before seen in art.

Here is our list of the top ten Renaissance artists presented in the order of their birth:

1. Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455 CE) - the sculptor who created the 'Gates of Paradise' in Florence.
2. Donatello (c. 1386-1466 CE) - a master sculptor whose work was designed to be seen from every angle.
3. Jan van Eyck (c. 1390-1441 CE) - a genius of oil painting who has perhaps never been equalled since.
4. Giovanni Bellini (c. 1430-1516 CE) - a master of colour, perspective, and hyper-realistic detail.
5. Andrea Mantegna (c. 1431-1506 CE) - a brilliant draughtsman and a maestro at achieving playful effects of perspective.
6. Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510 CE) - a master with colours and at reinterpreting classical images.
7. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519 CE) - he transformed the study of subjects and innovated in all areas, especially portraiture.
8. Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528 CE) - the greatest engraver and master of detail, light, and realism.
9. Michelangelo (1475-1564 CE) - the first 'Renaissance man' who was as skilled in painting as in sculpture.
10. Raphael (1483-1520 CE) - a master of colouring, harmony, and creating the illusion of space.