The 15th and 16th centuries saw the flowering of the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in classical antiquity that emphasized humanism, naturalism, and the development of new artistic techniques.
It began in Italy and later spread throughout Europe, with distinct regional styles and priorities.
Key periods
The Early Renaissance (15th century)
Originating in Florence, the Early Renaissance, or Quattrocento, established the foundations for the later High Renaissance.
Masaccio (1401-1428): Credited with popularizing linear perspective and creating realistic figures with solidity and emotion.
Donatello (1386-1466): His bronze David was the first free-standing nude sculpture since antiquity, demonstrating classical influence.
Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510): Known for elegant mythological paintings like The Birth of Venus and Primavera.
Jan van Eyck (1390-1441): A pioneer of the Northern Renaissance who mastered oil painting and meticulous detail, as seen in The Arnolfini Portrait.
The High Renaissance (early 16th century)
The High Renaissance, centered in Rome, is considered the culmination of Renaissance art. It is dominated by three masters.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): An intellectual and artistic polymath, his works are celebrated for their psychological depth, use of sfumato, and mastery of composition, seen in the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
Michelangelo (1475-1564): A powerful creative force, he excelled as a painter, sculptor, and architect. His masterpieces include the statue David and the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Raphael (1483-1520): Known for his graceful and harmonious works, such as The School of Athens and his serene paintings of the Madonna and Child.
Mannerism (mid- to late 16th century)
Following the High Renaissance, Mannerism emerged as a reaction against its harmony and balance. Mannerist artists used elongated figures, complex compositions, and unnatural colors to create drama and convey emotion.
Jacopo Tintoretto (1518-1594): A Venetian painter known for his dramatic scenes and bold, expressive style.
Parmigianino (1503-1540): Famous for his stylish and elegant paintings, such as the Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror, which distorts reality for artistic effect.
El Greco (1541-1614): A Greek-born painter who settled in Spain, his work combined Byzantine traditions with Mannerist elements, featuring elongated figures and expressive color.
Northern vs. Italian Renaissance
While both regions embraced new artistic principles, their approaches differed.
Italian Renaissance: Focused on classical ideals, scientific perspective, and balanced composition.
Northern Renaissance
Emphasized meticulous detail and the realistic depiction of textures and surfaces, often using the newly perfected medium of oil paint.
Notable Northern artists include Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Dürer.
List of 15th-16th century Artists, artistic movements definition
15th century Art
15th-16th century Art
16th century Art
German Artist
Italian Artist
Mannerism style
Museum Masterpieces
Portrait painter
Renaissance Art Movement
Sculptor
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