The Italian Renaissance
c. 1300–1600 CE
A period in Italian history known for its innovations in art, literature, and architecture
Notable People and Artists
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![The Mona Lisa is being viewed by many people]()
Leonardo da Vinci
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![a woman looks at us while holding a unicorn]()
Raphael
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![Figures surround a woman holding a baby, who leafs through a book]()
Sandro Botticelli
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![Medieval painting depicting the Annunciation, featuring an angel with a lily approaching a seated Mary, with other figures holding religious symbols against a gold background.]()
Simone Martini
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![A fresco depicting the Annunciation, where an angel with colorful wings speaks to a seated woman, surrounded by architecture with arches and columns.]()
Fra Angelico
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![Painting of a knight in armor holding a spear, standing next to a slain dragon, framed and displayed on a wall.]()
Andrea Mantegna
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![Renaissance-style stone building with arched windows and decorative details, seen from a narrow street.]()
Leon Battista Alberti
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![A detailed religious altarpiece depicting the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the wise men, and shepherds, surrounded by a gold ornate frame.]()
Gentile da Fabriano
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![Bronze statue of a young man standing with a confident pose, hand on hip, holding a sword, with a lion's head at his feet, inside a museum or gallery with artwork and sculptures in the background.]()
Andrea del Verrocchio
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![Medal or coin with a profile portrait of a woman with an elaborate hairstyle, surrounded by engraved text.]()
Pisanello
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![A bust of man wearing Florentine headdress]()
Lorenzo de'Medici, the Magnificent
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![Religious painting of the Madonna and Child with two angels, framed in ornate gold.]()
Fra Filippo Lippi
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![Portrait of a Eleanora di Toledo with her son in a portrait]()
Eleanora di Toledo
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![A detailed close-up of a religious painting depicting the body of Jesus Christ after crucifixion, surrounded by women and children mourning, set against a background of colorful drapery.]()
Jacopo da Pontormo
Introduction to the Italian Renaissance
Learn some basic vocabulary about the Italian renaissance
VIDEO: What is a Renaissance court? | Mantegna’s Camera Picta frescos
VIDEO: What is contrapposto? | Andrea del Verrocchio’s David
VIDEO: What is a patron? What is patronage? | Ottavio Vannini’s fresco of Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence
VIDEO: What is tempera painting? | Paolo Uccello’s Battle of San Romano
Important Individuals
VIDEO: Lorenzo de' Medici of Florence
VIDEO: Agnolo Bronzino’s Portrait of Eleanora di Toledo, Duchess of Florence
VIDEO: Who is Raphael (Raffaello Santi)?
Artistic Innovations
VIDEO: What is linear perspective? | A painting of the Ideal City
VIDEO: What is a portrait medal? | Pisanello’s portrait medal of Leonello d’Este
VIDEO: What is di sotto in su? | Mantegna’s oculus fresco in the Camera Picta in Mantua
Art for Elites
Building in the Renaissance
Learn more about specific artworks
Italian city-states such as Florence, Genoa, Venice, and Siena were ruled by oligarchies
Explore Continents
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