Background
Renaissance is a word that translates to “rebirth” in French. But when the Renaissance is described as a period, it refers to the rebirth of European art, science, and literature.
Essentially, it describes when Europe started to move in a more modern direction after the Medieval era.
Before the Renaissance, Europe relied on what was known as the feudalism system. This is where a king gives land to noblemen and bishops.
This land was also known as “fiefs”. The people who lived on this land were mainly peasants who had to grow crops and farm for the rulers of their fief, who were these noblemen and bishops.
Most of the food peasants harvested was given to the rulers, in exchange for living on the land. After agricultural inventions such as the plow, there was less need for peasants to farm.
With the rise of port cities and trade, farmers were given the opportunity to explore careers elsewhere. Many artists, architects, and writers emerged from the Renaissance for this reason.
Art from the Renaissance is still revered among viewers for its great detail and life-like quality.
Pre-Renaissance Artwork
Pre-Renaissance artwork dates from before the Renaissance, when art lacked fundamental principles that helped to make it mimic reality, such as scale and texture.
“Madonna and Child” by Berlinghiero of Lucca, an Italian painter who painted in Italo-Byzantine style. c.1230, Public Domain.
The above painting is an example of a Pre-Renaissance painting. Note how the hands and eyes are not painted to scale.
Master of Taüll, apse painting, San Clemente in Taüll, c. 1123 (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – MNAC, Barcelona), Public Domain.
Seated woman playing a Kithara, a fresco from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, Boscoreale, 4-30 CE, Public Domain. Image Courtesy of The Met.
Early Renaissance
It was not until the Early Renaissance that artwork became more realistic. You can see in the painting below more details in the faces, columns, and realistic textures. This period ranged from 1400 to 1495 CE.
The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, c. 1440-1445. Set in the Convent of San Marco in Florence, Italy, depicting Gabriel and Mary from the religion of Christianity, Public Domain. Image Courtesy of Wikipedia.
High Renaissance
The peak of the Renaissance period is known as the High Renaissance. This was when the most exceptional artwork was created in the Renaissance, especially in Rome and other Italian states. It ranged from 1490 CE to 1527 CE.
The School of Athens by Raphael was created in 1509-1511 AD. Fresco style artwork. Located in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, and originally 200 inches by 300 inches, Public Domain. Image Courtesy of Wikipedia.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-1506, Public Domain. A painting of Lisa Gherardini. You can find out more about the Mona Lisa here.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, c.1495-1498, Public Domain.
Late Renaissance
The Late Renaissance (also known as “Mannerism”) is the final period of the Renaissance. It was more ornate, adopting ideas from the Baroque period. It ranged from 1520 to the late 16th century (and possibly the early 17th century).
The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest (El caballero de la mano en el pecho) by El Greco, c. 1580, currently at the Museo del Prado, Madrid, Public Domain. Image Courtesy of HA!
Agnolo Bronzino, Italian, 1503-1572, Eleonora di Toledo, c. 1560, oil on panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection (National Gallery of Art), Public Domain. Image Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art.