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Jan 1, 1347
Black Plague
The Plague struck Europe in 1347 and rampaged throught the continent for three years. It claimed more the two-thirds of the continents population and gave way to a new era. -
Jan 1, 1350
Beginning of The Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance grew from the concept of hummanism, the belief that people should spend more effort for themselves. This allowed people to create and commision art. This gave birth to a larger belief in individualism in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1430
Donatello ("David in Bronze")
Donatello was an italian painter and sculpture of the early Italian Renaissance. He used porportions and detail to create realistic sculptures. His most famous is of the biblical character "David". -
Jan 1, 1434
Medici Family Gains Power in Florance
The Medici family was a wealthy family of bankers. They used their political power and wealth to rule Florance. They then used their wealth to commision and incourage the creation of some of the greatest art in history. -
Jan 1, 1450
Johann Gutenberg (Printing Press)
Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press. The printing press spread the ideas of The Renaissance by creating easily reperducable texts. Without the press accurate copies of poetry and literature would not travel enoough to spread to other cultures. -
Jan 1, 1475
Giovanni Boccaccio
Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet during the renaissance. He revolutionized literature by adding more dpth to diologue and characters by not using the ideas and archetypes created during the Medieval era. -
Jan 1, 1500
The Northern Renaissance
This Renaissance is the rebirth of culture in northern Europe. This Renaissance was focused on Literature and Theatre. William Shakespeare -
Jan 1, 1503
Desiderius Erasmus
Erasmus was a devout Chirstian who lead a revolution in Theolical thought, when he honored Greek and Roman classic literature. He saw equal values in the material's themes and morals. He translated these Greco-Roman pieces throughout his life. -
Jan 1, 1504
Leonardo Da Vinci ("Mona Lisa")
Leonardo is widely considered the true "Renaisance Man". He nearly mastered every subject the era had to offer. His sketches, art, and inventions are among some of the most famous drawings of all time. His masterpiece is the Mona Lisa, a commisioned portrait. This portrait has become one of the most iconic pieces of art. -
Jan 1, 1504
Michaelangello ("Pieta" and "Last Judgment")
Michaelangello was a renowed artist, sculptor, architect, engineer, and poet. He is know for his work in sculpting works like "Pieta" and paintings like "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel. He also was a great architect with creations like the Medici Chapel. -
Jan 1, 1507
Albrecht Durer ("Adam and Eve")
An artist of the Northern Europian Renaissance, Durer was know not only for more traditional Renaissance art, but for his landscaping and use of water colors. -
Jan 1, 1510
Raphael (Pope's Personal Library, School of Athens)
Raphael was a great artist of the renaissance. "The School of Athens" is perhaps his greatest work. It was commisioned by Raphael's good friend Pope Leo X for Pope's Personal Library as a set of painings. Each commision reprents one of four ideas: Philosphy, Law, Poetry, and Theology. "School of Athens" is the painting for Philosophy, and features other great renaissance men. -
Nov 16, 1516
Sir Thomas More ("Utopia")
Sir Thomas More was an important figure of the Northern Renaissance. He was a politian, lawyer, writer, and philospher. He worked under important goverment figures. His most famous and controversial work is "Utopia". -
Jan 1, 1528
Baldassare Castiglione (The Courtier)
The Courtier is the guide to being a good member of the Renaissance Era. He tells men to learn art, math, music, and even dance. He tell women to stay modest, avoid a need for popularity or power, while having a good education in acedemic and artistic subjects. -
Jan 1, 1550
End of The Renaisance
This date is regarded to mark the end of the original Italian Renaissance. The beliefs of the Renaissance formed the word we know today and allowed the forming of other Renaissance eras across the world. -
William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)
Shakespeare is considered to be one of the most famous authors and playwrites of all time. He was a great addition to Northern Europe's Renaissance in literature. Commonly thought to be his best work "Romeo and Juliet" was published in 1597.
