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Period: 1400 to 1495
Early Renaissance
The Early Renaissance is dated from 1400-1495. Most of the art was a reflection of biblical scenes and stories. However, some painters chose to focus on Greek and Roman mythology. The scenes also contained a variety of inspiration from Greek antiquity focusing on the "greats" of the ancient world. -
1401
Music from the Early Renaissance
A recording of traditional dance hall music that could be heard in castles. This style of music marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of a new Era https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqxdhkPwaCM -
1420
Duomo
By Filippo Brunelleschi Duomo was inspired by ancient Greek domes such as the Pantheon. Duomo is considered the "first building of the Renaissance". https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/renaissance-architecture/ -
1425
The Gates of Paradise
by Ghiberti Created for the the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The panels depict different biblical scenes from the Old Testament. The doors are made of bronze. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gates-of-Paradise-by-Ghiberti -
1426
Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
by Masaccio
Expulsion from the Garden of Eden depicts Adam and Eve being cast from the Garden of Eden after failing to listen to God's rule. I think it is a beautiful portrayal of the story. It is a fresco that is located in Brancacci Chapel. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/early-renaissance/artworks/#pnt_1 -
1426
Tribute Money
by Masaccio Tribute Money shows three different stories from the Bible that pan from one side of the painting to the other. Peter receiving the gold from the fishes mouth on the far left, the disciples with Jesus in the middle, and Peter paying the tax collector on the right. https://artincontext.org/early-renaissance/ -
1430
A bronze statue of David
by Donatello The bronze statue is of a young David with Goliath's head at his feet as he holds a sword. He also wears a wreath of laurels on a helmet. https://artincontext.org/early-renaissance/ -
1434
Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife
by Jan van Eyck A strangely intimate oil painting of a man and his pregnant wife in their bedroom. The painting shows the way that the Early Renaissance saw class and gender roles. https://davidcharlesfox.com/famous-early-renaissance-artwork/ -
1435
The Battle of San Romano
by Uccello Uccello's painting shows a scene from a battle between the Florentines and Sienese forces. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/paolo-uccello-the-battle-of-san-romano -
1438
The Annunciation
by Fra Angelico The Annunciation shows the moment the angel tells Mary she is with child. There is something beautifully pure about the fresco. The Medici family commissioned the fresco to finish the friary at San Marco. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/early-renaissance/artworks/#pnt_1 -
1456
Santa Maria Novella
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1459
Il Corteo di Gasparre ‘Procession of the Youngest King’
by Gozzoli A portrayal of a procession of a young king. This painting was commissioned by the Medici family, a wealthy family who controlled most of Italy during the Renaissance. https://artincontext.org/early-renaissance/ -
1465
Dante holding the Divine Comedy
Dante is one of Italy' great artists. Though exiled while alive, his work The Divine Comedy had inspired various art throughout the centuries. The painting depicts Dante holding the Divine Comedy with the three parts of his Epic Poem surrounding him. https://smarthistory.org/dantes-divine-comedy-in-late-medieval-and-early-renaissance-art/ -
1474
Camera degli Sposi
By Mantegna A fresco for the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, Italy. The ceiling of "the wedding chapel". An interesting view of angelic cherubs looking down upon the couple as they exchange vows. https://www.britannica.com/place/Camera-degli-Sposi -
1480
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
by Pietro Lombardo Santa Maria dei Miracoli portrays the classic Early Renaissance feature of a domed roof. The building is made of marble. -
1480
Portrait of a Young Woman
by Sandro Botticelli or Jacopo da Sellaio The young woman is turned away in the portrait, but her medallion can be seen with a seal representing Apollo and Marsyas which belonged to a member of the Medici family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Young_Woman_(Botticelli,_Frankfurt) -
1481
Primavera
by Botticelli A unique depiction of Greek and Roman mythology in the Garden of Venus. The goddess in the center has her hand raised in welcome which was typically symbolic of the Virgin Mary. https://artincontext.org/early-renaissance/ -
1483
The Birth of Venus
by Botticelli Botticelli's depiction of the goddess Aphrodite being born. The myth states that she was created out of the sea foam. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/early-renaissance/artworks/#pnt_1 -
1485
Venus and Mars
by Botticelli The Roman gods and goddess lounge causally in a classic Renaissance pastoral scene. They are surrounded by other mythological creatures. https://artincontext.org/early-renaissance/ -
1487
The Vitruvian Man
by DaVinci One of the most iconic drawings in history, the Vitruvian Man shows the proportion of man, one of DaVinci's many medical interests. https://www.leonardodavinci.net/the-vitruvian-man.jsp -
1498
Michelangelo’s Pietà
by Michelangelo A sculpture showing the Virgin Mary holding Christ after he died on the cross. The sculpture is in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. https://artincontext.org/renaissance-art/