Want to see how Italian art developed between the 14th and 16th centuries?
Here, we will take a look at20 of the most famous Renaissance paintingsthat left their mark on history.
Take a tour of the Italian Renaissance and learn about 20 famous paintings from the era.
Early Renaissance
Masaccio,Holy Trinity,c.
Paolo Uccello,The Battle of San Romano,c.
Piero della Francesca,Flagellation of Christ,c.
Masaccio, “Holy Trinity,” c. 1426–28 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Antonello da Messina,St.
Jerome in His Study,c.
Jerome in His Studyclearly showed the influence ofJan Van Eycks precise style of painting.
Paolo Uccello, “Battle of San Romano,” c. 1435–1460 (Photo:UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Da Messina uses perspective and geometry to organize the iconography within the architectural space.
The piece is an excellent example of how the artist used linear perspective to give depth to his background.
Sandro Botticelli,Primavera,c.
Piero della Francesca, “The Flagellation of Christ,” c. 1468–70 (Photo:Galleria Nazionale delle MarcheviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Like other da Vinci paintings, it utilizes considerablesfumatotechnique.
Sandro Botticelli,Birth of Venus,c.
She is flanked by three other figures from Classical mythology associated with nature.
Antonello da Messina, “St. Jerome in His Study,” c. 1474 (Photo:National GalleryviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Although this work is synonymous with Renaissance art today, theprominence of the female nudewas unprecedented at the time.
EntitledLady with an Ermine, this oil painting is an example ofHigh Renaissance portraitureand thechiaroscurostyle.
The vibrant color palette and sculptural modeling of the figures are typical of Michelangelo’s painting style.
Andrea Mantegna, “Lamentation of Christ,” c. 1480s (Photo:Pinacoteca di BreraviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
She is shown seated in aloggia, or a room with at least one open side.
Giorgione,The Tempest,c.
It is considered a masterpiece for how it merges art, philosophy, and science into one painting.
Pietro Perugino, “Delivery of the Keys,” c. 1481–2 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It is not only renowned for its incredible scale, but also for its complex composition and Classical inspirations.
Among the many panels that make up the design of the ceiling, theCreation of Adamremains the most famous.
In spite of this, the work is an excellent example of Titian’s mastery of color and composition.
Sandro Botticelli, “Primavera,” c. 1477–82 (Photo:UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It has inspired many similar paintings, including Manet’sOlympia.
Leonardo da Vinci, “Virgin of the Rocks,” c. 1483–6 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Sandro Botticelli, “The Birth of Venus,” c. 1484–6 (Photo:UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Leonardo da Vinci, “Lady with an Ermine,” c. 1489–91 (Photo:Czartoryski MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Leonardo da Vinci, “The Last Supper,” 1495–8 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Raphael, “The Marriage of the Virgin,” 1504 (Photo:Pinacoteca di BreraviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Michelangelo, “Doni Tondo,” 1506 (Photo:UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Leonardo da Vinci, “The Mona Lisa,” c. 1503–6 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Giorgione, “The Tempest,” c. 1506–8 (Photo:Gallerie dell’AccademiaviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Raphael, “The School of Athens,” 1509–11 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Michelangelo, “Creation of Adam,” c. 1508–12 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Titian, “Sacred and Profane Love,” 1514 (Photo:Galleria BorgheseviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Titian, “Venus of Urbino,” 1538 (Photo:UffiziviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Michelangelo, “The Last Judgment,” 1536–41 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
