Early Modern Europe

c. 1400–1800 CE

Portrait painting of a man with a beard and a turban in an ornate frame.

Early modern Europe experienced significant changes, influenced by rising urbanization, new ways of thinking, global networks, colonization, and shifts in religion

Italian Renaissance
Northern Renaissance
Rococo
The Baroque

Notable People and Artists

The Italian Renaissance

Innovation and experimentation defined the Italian city-states between 1400–1600

The Basics

Renaissance painting of an idealized city with classical architecture in a gold frame
Fresco mural depicting a historical scene with people in medieval clothing, some seated and some standing, with a gold background and ornate decorative elements.

What is a renaissance court?

A bronze sculpture of a young boy who stands with his hand on one hip and looks out at us

What is contrapposto?

Bronze coin or medallion with a profile of a woman wearing jewelry, surrounded by an inscription.

What is a portrait medal? Pisanello’s portrait medal of Leonello d’Este

A large wall painting showing people in the School of Athens in Rome
a ceiling painting showing a open circle with figures looking down

What is di sotto in sù in Andrea Mantegna’s oculus fresco?

a fresco that shows a group of people around a seated man

What is a patron? Learn about patronage and Lorenzo de’ Medici

Learn more about the Italian Renaissance
A large wall painting showing people in a battle on horseback

What is tempera painting?

Dig Deeper into the Italian Renaissance

Portrait of a young woman in a Renaissance-style dress holding a small unicorn, set in an ornate gold frame.
Rapahel's Lady with a Unicorn and female portraiture
A circular painting by Sandro Botticelli depicting the Madonna and Child with angels in a decorative golden frame.
Sandro Botticelli's Tondo
Renaissance ceiling fresco with sky, clouds, and people looking down
Renaissance-style building with arched windows and intricate stonework in an urban setting.
Looking to Rome: Andrea Mantegna's oculus in the Camera Picta
Renaissance painting with religious figures and ornate patterns
An elite home in Florence: Palazzo Rucellai
The function of an altarpiece in a church
A framed painting of a knight in armor holding a spear, standing over a dragon, set against a landscape background. The artwork is displayed on a blue wall.
Haloes explained | A painting of Saint George by Andrea Mantegna
A religious painting depicting an angel delivering a message to a seated woman. The angel kneels on the left with wings extended and a floral staff, while the woman sits on the right by a decorative table. Trees and a landscape are visible in the background.
Defining the Annunciation with Leonardo da Vinci
Renaissance painting of an idealized city with classical architecture in a gold frame
An angel kneels before a woman in a bright blue mantle
Defining linear perspective
A large group of people converge upon a woman holding a baby in a large altarpiece surrounded by a golden frame
What is an angel? | Simone Martini's Annunciation
Historic brick tower with a clock, surrounded by buildings with terracotta-tiled roofs in a cityscape, under a partly cloudy sky with a construction crane in the background.
What is the Adoration of the Magi? | Gentile da Fabriano's Strozzi Altarpiece
What is rustication? | Palazzo della Signoria and Palazzo Te
Painting of a woman in a dress with her son
A bust of a man wearing a distinct red head covering
The Madonna and Christ Child are supported by two angels, in a painting, with a landscape beyond
Who was Lorenzo de'Medici, the Magnificent?

Important terms and concepts

City-State

Florence

Humanism

Renaissance

Portraiture

Oculus

Altarpiece

Palazzo

Halo

Angel

Annunciation

Adoration of the Magi

Biblical narrative

Portrait and portraiture

The Medici Family

Learn more about the Italian Renaissance
A detailed classical oil painting of a biblical scene depicting Jesus Christ's body being prepared for burial, surrounded by mourning women with expressions of sorrow and grief.

The Northern Renaissance

Art and culture in Europe north of the Alps in the 15th century 16th centuries

Important terms and concepts

Portraiture

Oil Painting

Glaze

Artists

The Limbourg Brothers

Jan van Eyck

Rogier van der Weyden

a woman wears a sheer veil on her head as she looks off the the side

What is a portrait? Learn with Rogier van der Weyden’s Portrait of a Lady

A Renaissance-style painting depicting the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel in a religious scene inside a church with stained glass windows.

What is oil painting? Learn with Jan van Eyck’s Annunciation

The Baroque

The 17th century is widely known as the Baroque era

A classic painting depicting two women. One woman, in a yellow gown, holds a sword and gestures towards a candle. Another woman, wearing a white headscarf, looks up towards her. The scene is illuminated by candlelight and covered with a rich tapestry, suggesting a dramatic or historical context.
Rachel Ruysch, A Vase of Flowers, 1689
Adding drama to painting: Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith
Painting of a woman and a man dressed in historical costumes, holding hands, with the woman wearing a bonnet and the man holding a sword, set in a gold frame.
Exploring still life painting with Rachel Ruysch's Vase of Flowers
Engraving of a historical woman with elaborate attire and jewelry, wearing a ruffled collar and holding a scepter.
Exploring the symbolism of a scepter with Queen Elizabeth I of England
A painted portrait of a woman dressed in historical attire, with a white ruffled collar, holding a paintbrush or similar object, and smiling, with a smiling artist in the background.
A painting of a bubble, skull, and two urns with a niche

Important terms and concepts

Tenebrism

Still-life painting

Scepter

Self-portrait

bodegón

a painting of a bird and cardoon vegetable are set against a dark background

The Rococo

An 18th-century art movement, which is distinctive for its elegance, sensuality, and fascination with pleasure

VIDEO: What is Rococo? Learn with Jean-Honoré Fragonard The Swing

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