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Jan 1, 1550
Palace at Fontainebleau, Chateau of Henry II.
The memorable horshoe staircase is one of the improvements done to this long-standing building during the reign of Henry II. and Catherine de Medici. -
Jan 1, 1550
Palazzo Chiericati
Designed by Andrea Palladio, widely recognized as the most important European architect, the home's proportions were allegedly influenced by musical ratios. Palladio was innovative, but obviously inspired by classical architecture as well. His writings on design were also considered important. -
Jan 1, 1560
"Lamentations of Jeremiah I," Tallis
LamentationsTallis is known as one of the greatest English composers in history, mainly for choral music. A contemporary of Byrd, he was much more prolific, and his music has enjoyed a recent revival. Enjoy! -
Jan 1, 1560
Lakshmikanthaswamy Temple, Tumkur District, India
This important temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains phallic shrines representing energy and power. The carved walls are a wonderful example of the architecture of the early Vijayanagar Period, when the temple was built. -
Jan 1, 1568
"Purification of the Temple," El Greco
Painting during El Greco's Venetian Period, this piece displays the exaggerated humn forms and excellent use of light characteristic of Mannerism. An alternate title is "Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple." El Greco's work remains esteemed today, and captured the conflict between Catholics & Protestants that shaped the 16th century. -
Jan 1, 1568
"The Blind Leading the Blind," Bruegel
Dutch painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder was another artist whose work was infuenced by the Protestant/Catholic struggle that marked the Renaissance, and this painting, with its careful attention to detail, also illustrates a proverb; this was popular material in Bruegel's culture at the time. The highly accurate depiction of the blind men exhibits the merciless attention to detail common in art at the time. -
Jan 1, 1580
Church of the Gesu, Rome
The first church built by the Roman Catholic Jesuit order, Gesu offered many innovations, including no smaller entry room; worshippers walk directly into the nave. Many later churches were inspired by this design and its simple beauty. -
"The Rape of a Sabine Woman"
The most popular scupltor in Europe during his lifetime, da Bologna (Giambologna) crafted this piece using a technique called "figura serpentinata," which positions the subject in an S-shaped curve, making the piece viewable from all angles. The classic subject matter reflects Renaissance sensibilities. -
"Sieve Portrait" of Elizabeth I.
The most well-known portrait of the Virgin Queen contains symbolism such as a globe (representing imperialism) and a sieve in the queen's hand (representing her virginity and the country's wish that she stay unmarried). This portrait was done by the artist Quentin Metsys. -
Church House Portal, Colditz Castle
A lovely example of "Antwerp Mannerism," this finely made piece by Andreas Walther II is a landmark in Saxony, Germany. The castle itself has undergone many renovations. -
"Astrophil and Stella," Syndey
After writing his essay "In Defense of Poesy," Sir Philip Sydney launched into the composition of these poems, which defied conventional sonnet form and content, but supported his "Defense" and exemplified Elizabethan poetry. Like many poets of the Court, Sydney couches allusions to political happenings in love poetry. -
Dragon Vase, Ming Dynasty
Exact date & artist unknown, this vase illustrates the Jiajing Emperor's desire for immortality (the dragon represents the human soul) and displays the craftsmanship of its time beautifully. -
"The Faerie Queene"
Edmund Spenser's allegorical epic poem disguised (thinly) heavy-handed praise of Queen Elizabeth, which won him great favor. It is a sprightly and entertaining tale that transcends time and politics. -
Mass for Four Voices from Mass Ordinary
Mass for 4 VoicesWilliam Byrd was a composer caught in the maelstrom between Protestants and Catholics in 16c. England. This composition, a stunning piece from the Catholic composer, is moving and beautiful to any audience. -
"The Burning Babe," Southwell
poem Southwell was a Catholic priest ministering to Catholics in Protestant England -- an act of treason for which he paid with his life. His poetry is lesser-known than some of his contemporaries, probably for its religious content, but his skill was notable and his poems stirring. -
"Assumption of the Virgin," Carracci
Of the three Carracci brothers, Annibale was the most talented, and this is one of his best pieces. The Bolognese movement with which he was involved was anti-Mannerist, protesting the unrealistic portrayal of humans popular in his time. -
"Romeo & Juliet"
Shakespeare's iconic play was based on a tragic poem by Arthur Brooke. Quotes, imagery, and metaphors from Shakespeare's piece persist in our lexicon, and the play is constantly being re-imagined on stage and film. -
The Liberation of Oriane
The late 16th century yielded prolific and high-quality production of tapestries from the Netherlands. Common themes in earlier Renaissance work were unicorns and religious scenes; this example is a rendering of a courtly romance. The piece was designed by Karel van Mander I and, was made in the Delft workshop of the merchant-weaver Frans Spiering. Spiering had left his native Antwerp, another expatriot fleeing religious conflict. -
"The Martyrdom of St. Matthew," Caravaggio
Caravaggio was known as one of the last Mannerist painters, utilizing realistic depictions and light in imitation of earlier Renaissance masters. This painting, along with "The Calling of St. Matthew" made him famous. -
"Youth Holding a Pomegranate"
This Iranian manuscript page, in the style of Riza-yi Abbasi, is beautifully rendered in gold and watercolor, and still amazingly intact and vibrant.
