Timeline of Renaissance Art Development

By Kaman Lau Ka Man
  • 1300

    14th Century

    1300s: Early Renaissance period begins in Italy, marked by a revival of interest in classical antiquity and a shift towards naturalism and realism in art.
  • 1304

    14th Century

    14th Century
    1304-1374: Life of Giotto di Bondone, an Italian painter and architect whose works exemplify the transition from medieval to Renaissance art.
  • 1330

    14th Century

    14th Century
    1330s-1370s: The Florentine painter Giotto produces frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, showcasing his mastery of perspective and emotion.
  • 1401

    15th Century

    15th Century
    1401-1402: Competition for the Florence Baptistery doors leads to the emergence of a new generation of artists, including Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti.
  • 1420

    15th Century

    15th Century
    1420s-1430s: The early Renaissance period sees the development of linear perspective by artists such as Masaccio, enabling more accurate depiction of space and depth.
  • 1440

    15th Century

    1440s-1450s: The Medici family became prominent patrons of the arts in Florence, commissioning works from artists such as Donatello and Fra Angelico.
  • 1470

    15th Century

    15th Century
    1470s-1480s: High Renaissance period begins with the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Raphael, who achieve unprecedented levels of technical skill and artistic expression.
  • 1495

    15th Century

    15th Century
    1495-1498: Leonardo da Vinci paints "The Last Supper" in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, showcasing his mastery of composition and perspective.
  • 1508

    16th Century

    16th Century
    1508-1512: Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, featuring iconic scenes from the Book of Genesis and demonstrating his skill in anatomy and expression.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    16th Century

    16th Century
    1517: Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses spark the Protestant Reformation, leading to changes in religious art and patronage across Europe.
  • 1520

    16th Century

    1520s-1530s: Mannerism emerges as a reaction against the classical ideals of the High Renaissance, characterized by exaggerated forms and elaborate compositions.
  • 1540

    16th Century

    1540s-1550s: The Council of Trent initiates the Catholic Counter-Reformation, leading to a renewed emphasis on religious art and imagery as a tool for spiritual instruction and persuasion.
  • 1560

    16th Century

    1560s-1600s: Baroque art develops as a dynamic and theatrical style, characterized by dramatic lighting, movement, and emotional intensity.

  • 17th Century

    17th Century
    1600s: Baroque art flourishes across Europe, with artists such as Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, and Rembrandt van Rijn pushing the boundaries of realism and expression.

  • 17th Century

    1633: Galileo Galilei is tried by the Roman Inquisition for promoting heliocentrism, reflecting tensions between science and religion in Baroque art.

  • 17th Century

    1648: The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War, leading to a period of relative stability and prosperity in Europe, which influenced artistic production.

  • 17th Century

    1665-1666: The Great Plague of London ravages the city, impacting artistic production and patronage.

  • Late 17th Century

    Late 17th Century
    Rococo art emerges as a more ornate and playful style, characterized by pastel colors, asymmetry, and delicate ornamentation.