Italian Renaissance Art

Italian Renaissance Art

The Italian Renaissance (also known as the rebirth) is a period in time which lasted from 1300AD - 1520AD and it also marked the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance creating a great cultural change in Europe. The Italian Renaissance first began in Tuscany, central Italy and expanding to the cities of Florence and Siena, later ranging to Rome and influencing the spread into Northern Europe and its neighbours.

The Renaissance made a significant change to art; not only was it purely for decoration of religious buildings but was used by the wealthy for pleasure, used on murals, and the decoration of all sorts of buildings. Sculpting became renowned and used by Michelangelo Buonarroti, regarded as the best sculptor in the 16th century and one of the greatest of all time. Michelangelo was not only praised for his ability as a sculptor, but his ability as an architect and to paint. Michelangelo was requested by the Pope himself to decorate in his private chapel. The artwork, named "The Sistine Chapel" lasted 4 years, and required the artist to lie on his back and paint looking upwards. The Sistine Chapel remains one of mans best physical, intellectual and artistic achievements.

Leonardo Da Vinci, another highly renowned artist of the Renaissance period for his artworks such as "The Last Supper" "The Mona Lisa" and "The Virgin of the Rocks." Leonardo's artworks contained both religious and secular themes.

Michelangelo and Leonardo are only some of the great artists of the Italian Renaissance period and influence many of today's modern arts and provide a stepping stone and greater knowledge of art