Renaissance Art Timeline

1300's

Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), Cappella Scrovegni a Padova, Life of Christ, Marriage at Cana

In accordance with early renaissance style, figures appeared two dimensional and the glorified figures in the painting had halos to represent a higher dignity.

English Gothic is defined by its pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires

This is a painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna created somwhere between 1308-1311. It is one of his most famous works known as "The Maesta" and it is one of the first signs of the early renaissance style.

The Virgin of Mercy

Unknown Artist

14th century

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei (Département l’Orne) FRANCE

Again, this illustrates the two-dimensional concept as well as another key leading into the renaissance and how art changed: the subject of the church and religion. Art, before this point, did not stray from depicing Bible scenes and church ideals.

The Descent into Hell

Duccio di Buonosegna

Early 14th century

This piece shows a demon under the foot of Jesus to represent his power over hell. Depicted in the people mourning his leaving are several older men and others possibly representing saints.

1400's

The Arnolfini Portrait

Oil,1434

Jan van Eyck

This painting is one of the first of its kind to use light in depicting the interior of a room as well as the subjects in the painting. In the mirror you can see more people entering the room. There is an inscription above it – Johannes van Eyck fuit hic (Jan van Eyck was here) which was the artists' way of including himself in the portrait.

Paolo di Giovanni Fei

The Presentation of the Virgin, c. 1400

Samuel H. Kress Collection

Paolo follows in the tradition of Duccio. He uses bright colors with a huge variety of hues. Common to early 15th century art, Paolo concentrates not only on the virgin and the religious part of the piece, but also on the human aspect; developing anthrocentrism is evident.

The Resurrection

Piero della Francesca c. 1460

As was the case of many paintings during this time period the Resurrectoin shows humanistic qaulities as well as the use of perspective. The vivid colors and detialed background make the painting seem more realistic. The painting also shows off the more human aspects of christ.

Madonna and Child, 1494

School of Lorenzo di Credi, Italian (1456-1536)

During this time many artists were learning to paint using perspective, which made paintings seem more realistic and gave them more deminsions. They also began to depict more natural, earthy scenes as opposed to the more heavenly look of earlier paintings. Both of these qualities can be seen in Madonna and Child.

1500's

Out of all of his paintings The Mystical Navity was the only one Boticelli ever signed, therefore it must have had some sort of signifigance. This painting shows the typical features of botticellis works with its detialed style. However, the Mystical nativity shows an unusual use of iconography. The Virgin Mary and baby Jesus appear much larger than the other objects in the painting.

This painting was the last one done by Rapheal. Although there had been many transfiguration paintings done this one is by far the most famous. unlike many of the other similar paintings this work shows both the human and divine nature of christ.

The Last Judgement

Michelangelo 1537-1541

The last judgement is a depiction of the apocalypse located on the wall of the Sistene Chapel. Like many of the paintings done in the middle ages it shows repect for god but it also has characteristics of renaissance art. It shows the anatomically correct bodies of the people in great detial, as well as a realistic, colorful background.

the Transfiguration

Rapheal 1518-1520

the Mystical Nativity

Sandro botticelli c. 1500