The Renaissance History Source

Renaissance Art, Artists, and Society

Renaissance Artists in 15th Century Florence - The great Century began with the birth of Masaccio and with the announcement of the competition for the Baptistery gates in Florence.
Italian Renaissance Artists - More Italian artists of the 15th century.
Donatello - He was arguably the greatest Tuscan sculptor until Michelangelo.
Masaccio - Among the Renaissance artists of the early years of the 15th Century, his name stands supreme.
Botticelli - After the death of Fra Filippo Lippi, he was said to be the best master in Florence.
Filippo Brunelleschi - The architect of The Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, the symbol of Florence.

Renaissance Architecture - The finest examples of Domestic Renaissance Architecture in Florence and Rome.
Saint Peter's Basilica - Saint Peter's Basilica is probably the largest religious building in the world, and its Dome is one of the most beautiful architectural works.

Leonardo da Vinci - Leonardo da Vinci's biography is that of a true Renaissance man, going seamlessly from art to science.
Michelangelo - Michelangelo's biography is singularly entangled with the history of the time.
Raphael - Raphael's biography is maybe the richest in accomplishments for such a short life.

Leonardo da Vinci's Paintings - From Adoration of the Magi to Mona Lisa, the short Long Journey.
Michelangelo's Paintings - The magnificent Sistine Chapel, and then, The Last Judgment.
Raphael's Paintings - From his inimitable Madonnas to The Transfiguration.

Michelangelo's Sculptures - Michelangelo's sculptures are all marked by his genius, which gives to the actual marble an importance of expression that no cast, no copy can render.

Northern Renaissance - Northern Renaissance humanists, writers, art, and artists, with a discussion on Hubert and Jan van Eyck masterpiece, The Ghent Altarpiece.
French Renaissance - An overview of French Renaissance architecture and art, scholars and poets.
English Renaissance - The particular character of English Renaissance, and its unrivalled poetry and prose.

Renaissance Life - Daily Renaissance life was characterized by its great simplicity, even among the rich.
Renaissance Fashion - The Italian Renaissance fashion, which exhibited better taste and a greater amount of elegance, greatly influenced the fashion in other countries of Europe.
Renaissance Clothing - More details about the origins of the Renaissance costumes, and how they changed during different reigns.
Renaissance Food - Renaissance food was as refined and sophisticated as the era itself.
Renaissance Games - The Florentines were excitable and emotional, and delighted in games, a lot of them games of chance, but not only.
Renaissance Entertainment - The Renaissance rulers, following in the steps of their Roman predecessors, took great care in providing entertainment for the people.
Renaissance Music - A history of music during the Renaissance period, touching on both the Church and secular music.

The Medici family - Without being of noble origin, the Medici will eventually become one of the most powerful houses in Europe.
Cosimo de' Medici - The Life and Times of Cosimo de' Medici, Pater Patriae.
Lorenzo de' Medici - Was he the perfect Renaissance Patron of the Arts?
Catherine de' Medici - She became the Queen Mother of France during the tumultuous years of the French Civil Wars.