The Italian Renaissance

c. 1300–1600 CE

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

A period in Italian history known for its innovations in art, literature, and architecture

Introduction to the Italian Renaissance

Learn some basic vocabulary about the Italian renaissance

A Renaissance style mural depicting a historical scene with a group of people, some seated and others standing, dressed in period clothing with various headgear. The background includes decorative architectural elements and trees.

VIDEO: What is a Renaissance court? | Mantegna’s Camera Picta frescos

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

VIDEO: What is contrapposto? | Andrea del Verrocchio’s David

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

VIDEO: What is a patron? What is patronage? | Ottavio Vannini’s fresco of Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence

A large wall painting showing people in a battle on horseback

VIDEO: What is tempera painting? | Paolo Uccello’s Battle of San Romano

A sketch shows the Virgin Mary, Christ Child, and two other saints in this drawing

VIDEO: What is a cartoon? |Leonardo da Vinci’s Burlington House Cartoon

Important Individuals

A bust sculpture of a man wearing a hat and scarf, displayed on a pedestal in a museum setting.

VIDEO: Lorenzo de' Medici of Florence

Painting of a woman in a dress with her son

VIDEO: Agnolo Bronzino’s Portrait of Eleanora di Toledo, Duchess of Florence

Painting of many people talking and walking wearing historical clothing

VIDEO: Who is Raphael (Raffaello Santi)?

A portrait of an old man in red and white clothes who sits in a large chair in front of a green wall

VIDEO: Raphael, Portrait of Julius II

Artistic Innovations

Renaissance painting of an idealized city with classical architecture in a gold frame

VIDEO: What is linear perspective? | A painting of the Ideal City

Ancient bronze coin with a woman's profile and an inscription around the edge, mounted on a display stand.

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

a ceiling painting showing a open circle with figures looking down

VIDEO: What is di sotto in su? | Mantegna’s oculus fresco in the Camera Picta in Mantua

Art for Elites

Oculus: Andrea Mantegna's Camera Picta and Looking to Rome
A circular painting by Sandro Botticelli depicting the Madonna and Child with angels in a decorative golden frame.
Tondo: Sandro Botticelli's Madonna and Child
Renaissance ceiling fresco with sky, clouds, and people looking down
Renaissance-style building with arched windows and intricate stonework in an urban setting.
Palazzo: An elite home in Florence, the Palazzo Rucellai
The Madonna and Christ Child are supported by two angels, in a painting, with a landscape beyond
Object Story about Filippo Lippi's Madonna and Child with Two Angels

Art for Religious Spaces

Renaissance painting with religious figures and ornate patterns
Altarpiece: Fra Angelico's altarpiece at San Marco
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.
Halo: 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
An angel kneels before a woman in a bright blue mantle
Angel: Simone Martini's Annunciation
A large group of people converge upon a woman holding a baby in a large altarpiece surrounded by a golden frame
Adoration of the Magi: Gentile da Fabriano's Strozzi Altarpiece
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.

VIDEO: Jacopo Pontormo, Deposition from the Cross

Building in the Renaissance

View of the Florence Palazzo Vecchio with its tall clock tower and crenellated walls, surrounded by tiled rooftops under a partly cloudy sky, with a construction crane in the background.

VIDEO: Rustication and Renaissance architecture

COMING SOON: Santa Maria Novella and Leon Battista Alberti

Learn more about specific artworks

Italian city-states such as Florence, Genoa, Venice, and Siena were ruled by oligarchies

Portrait of a young woman in a Renaissance-style dress holding a small unicorn, set in an ornate gold frame.

VIDEO: Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn and female portraiture

Notable People and Artists

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