What defines Renaissance art?

Renaissance art may be defined by the interest of artists and sculptors in the art of classical antiquity and the use of mathematical perspective. Renaissance art is realistic, detailed, dramtic, and often contains different layers of meaning.

What are some examples of Renaissance art?

The most famous examples of Renaissance art include Michelangelo's statue of David and his Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome. Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' portrait and Raphael's 'School of Athens' in the Vatican are two of the most famous Renaissance paintings.

How is Renaissance art different from Baroque art?

Renaissance art is different from Baroque art as works of the latter are more richly coloured and detailed. Baroque art is much more dramatic and decorative compared to Renaissance art which was closer in tradition to the art of antiquity but with more attention to perspective, realism, and different levels of meaning.

Renaissance Art Timeline

Definition

The art of the Renaissance period in Europe (1400-1600 CE) includes some of the most recognisable and best-loved paintings and sculptures in the world. Masters were often skilled in both painting and sculpture, and by studying the art of antiquity and adding their theoretical knowledge of mathematical perspective and new painting techniques, they produced truly unique works of art. Realism, detail, drama, and subtle layers of meaning became features of religious and secular art. Now, artists finally broke free from their old craftworker status and achieved a new position as vital contributors to the culture and prestige of the societies in which they lived.

More about: Renaissance Art

Timeline

1376 - 1455
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Lorenzo Ghiberti.
1377 - 1446
Life of the Italian Renaissance architect and sculptor Filippo Brunelleschi.
c. 1390 - 1441
The life of the Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck.
1397 - 1475
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Paolo Uccello.
c. 1415
The Italian Renaissance artist Donatello completes his sculpture of Saint George for the Orsanmichele in Florence.
1420 - 1450
The Italian Renaissance artist Donatello sculpts his bronze David in Florence.
c. 1420 - 1492
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca.
1425 - 1452
The Italian Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti works on his second set of doors, the 'Gates of Paradise', for the Baptistery of Florence's Cathedral.
c. 1430 - 1516
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini.
1432
The Ghent Altarpiece is completed by the Netherlandish Renaissance artists Jan van Eyck and Hubert van Eyck.
1435
The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti writes his treatise De pictura (On Painting).
1436
The Italian Renaissance artist Paolo Uccello completes his equestrian fresco of Sir John Hawkwood.
1446 - 1453
The Italian Renaissance artist Donatello creates his bronze panels for the high altar of the Basilica Sant’ Antonio in Padua.
c. 1450 - 1523
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino.
c. 1450
The Italian Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti writes his Commentaries, a mix of art history and autobiography.
1452 - 1465
The Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca produces his cycle of frescoes on the Legend of the True Cross for the San Francesco church, Arezzo.
c. 1453
The Italian Renaissance artist Donatello completes his equestrian statue of Erasmo da Narni, the Gattamelata (‘honeycat’) in Padua.
c. 1455
The Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca produces his painted panel the Flagellation of Christ.
c. 1456
The Italian Renaissance artist Donatello sculpts his wooden statue of a penitent Mary Magdalene.
1464
The Italian Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti writes his treatise on sculpture.
1465 - 1474
The Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna works on his fresco cycles in the Palazzo Ducale of Mantua.
c. 1465
The Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca produces his fresco the Resurrection of Christ.
c. 1470
The Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca produces his portrait of the Duke of Urbino, Federico da Montefeltro.
1471 - 1528
Life of the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.
c. 1474
The Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca writes his treatise On Perspective in Painting.
1475 - 1564
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
1480 - 1484
The Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli produces his painting the Birth of Venus.
c. 1480
The Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini completes his Ecstasy of Saint Francis painting.
c. 1482
The Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli produces his Primavera painting.
c. 1487 - 1576
Life of the Italian Renaissance artist Titian.
1490 - 1492
The Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli produces his Lamentation over the Dead Christ painting.
c. 1492
Leonardo da Vinci completes his 'Vitruvian Man' sketch.
1497 - 1500
The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo works on his masterpiece the Pieta.
c. 1497 - 1543
Life of the German Renaissance painter Hans Holbein the Younger.
c. 1498
Leonardo da Vinci completes his wall mural 'The Last Supper' in Milan's Sante Maria delle Grazie.
c. 1500
The Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli produces his Mystic Nativity painting.
c. 1500
The Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini completes his portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan.
c. 1503 - c. 1506
Leonardo da Vinci completes his painting the 'Mona Lisa'.
1504
The German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer creates his Adam and Eve print.
1504
The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo completes his masterpiece the statue of David.
c. 1504
The Italian Renaissance artist Raphael completes his The Marriage of the Virgin.
c. 1505
The Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini completes his altarpiece for the San Zaccaria church in Venice.
1507
The Italian Renaissance artist Raphael completes his painting The Entombment of Christ (aka The Deposition).
1508 - 1512
The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo works on his painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.
1511
The Italian Renaissance artist Raphael completes his frescoes in the Stanze della Segnatura of the Vatican which include The School of Athens.
c. 1518 - 1594
Life of the Italian Renaissance painter Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti).
c. 1520
The Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo completes his masterpiece statue of Moses for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
c. 1525
The German Renaissance painter Hans Holbein the Younger creates his 41-print series the Dance of Death.
1536
The German Renaissance painter Hans Holbein the Younger becomes the court painter of Henry VIII of England.
1545 - 1554
The Italian Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini works on his bronze sculpture of Perseus and Medusa.
1548
The Italian Renaissance artist Tintoretto produces his celebrated Miracle of Saint Mark Rescuing a Slave painting.
1564 - 1481
The Italian Renaissance artist Tintoretto works on his cycle of paintings for Venice’s Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
c. 1570
The Italian Renaissance artist Tintoretto porduces his Saint George and the Dragon painting.