Renaissance Timeline

Bubonic Plague (Mid XIV Century)

Bubonic Plague

The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, was a disease that took the life of millions of people all around Europe in the mid 14th century. But why was this event so important if it occured before the Renaissance period? Well, since about 60 percent of European population was wiped out, merchants began to promote artistic works as patrons. This innovation in art was one of the primary factors that led to the rise of the Renaissance period in Europe.

Age of Exploration ( 1400-1690)

Age of Exploration

The Age of Exploration started in the early 15th century and ended in the late 17th century. This was a period of time where nations of Europe began exploring the rest of the world by seas to look for trade routes and information. The Age of Exploration was important for the Renaissance period because Europeans gained a lot of knowledge on the world outside of Europe. They could map their findings to analyze it and use it for future navigations in search of trade, which was a very pivotal point of economy during the Renaissance.

Lorenzo de Medici (1449- 1492)

Lorenzo de Medici

Lorenzo de Medici is considered to be one of the most important and witty figues in the Renaissance Period. He ruled Florence for about 20 years, being regarded as the best of his dynasty because of his ability to rule and bring stbility to the region. He was also a patron, giving large amounts of money to artists so that they could create world famous pieces of art; such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Botticelli. Both his aptitude to rule, and his charity towards artists are what make Lorenzo de Medici one of the most important figures of the Renaissance.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Leonardo da Vinci

Da Vinci is probably a synonym of Renaissance. He is one of history's greatest minds, and it is plausible when we look at all of his creations in different aspects of art. Da Vinci was famous for his designs, art, cartography, geology, and studies. Leonardo's designs later aided humanity in inventing things like the tank, parachute, helicopter and many other things. And obviously, he was also a great artist. A majority of his paintings are in art galleries and museums. That's what makes Leonardo de Vinci a key character of the Renaissance

Fall of Constantiople (May 29, 1453)

May 29,

1453

May 29, 1953. After 55 days of the Ottoman Empire trying to seize Constantinople, they finally broke down the walls of the city, putting an end to the Byzantine Empire. One of the effects of the fall of Constantinople, was the huge boost it provided for humanism and the Renaissance. Many scholars left the city with a lot of books written in Greek, and went to Italy, where they were welcomed. This date was very important because it led to a huge developement in the intellectual aspect of the Renaissance.

Gutenberg Bible is Published (February 23, 1455)

February 23, 1455

Although there is no true evidence for the publication date, this is the date that is most accepted worldwide. The Gutenberg Bible was the first piece of literature printed using a printing press. Johannes Gutenberg's invention was so important because it meant that discoveries, information and literature would be spread much faster throughout Europe, a great development in the Renaissance

Nicloaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

Nicolaus Copernicus

Revolutionary. That is a perfect description of Copernicus. Defying popular belief in society, he proposed the heliocentric model of the Solar System that placed the Sun rather than the Earth at the center. His heliocentric model led to the Copernican Revolution, which is considered as the launching point of modern astronomy and the Scientific Revolution. All of this is why the father of modern astronomy was so significant.

Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Michelangelo

One of the greatest artists of all time, Michelangelo is widely regarded for his brilliant sculptures, paintings, and murals. One of the aspects that makes Michelangelo so important is that he was able to show humanism in his artworks and sculptures. His art also possessed a great amount of realism while also having a feeling of intensity. For his contributions, he is widely regarded as a main fiugre of the Renaissance

High Renaissance (1490's-1527)

High Renaissance

This is exactly what it sounds like. It was the pinnacle of the Renaissance period. During this short period of time, Europe produced some of its most decorated artists, philosophers and explorers. It's pretty obvious why this was important. It was the Renaissance at its finest. This short period produced some of the finest art, architecture, and Europe gained a huge amount of information, all while embodying the idea of humanism.

Colombus Discovers the Americas (October 12, 1942)

October 12, 1492

One of the pinnacles of Renaissance exploration, the finding of the Americas by Christopher Colombus was a huge event in the Renaissance period. This discovery influenced European culture, because literature changed, and a huge amount of trade was going on from and to the Americas, which provided Europe with the resources necessary to promote art and architecture.

The Italian Wars (1494-1559)

The Italian Wars

The Italian Wars were a series of wars fought for control over Italy. They involved all of Europe, but mainly Spain and France. The result of the Italian Wars was a transfer of power from Italy to northwestern Europe. They were important because this is where we are able to see the first stages of the downfall of the Italian Reniassance. This whole movement centered in Italy, is now beginning to weaken and decline.

The School of Athens is painted (1509-1511)

The School of Athens

One of Raphael's most renowned pieces of art is The School of Athens. Painted, from around 1509 to 1511, this painting conveys all the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists gathered together sharing their ideas and learning from each other. And why is it important? Well this painting is important because the combination of characters with philosophers make it a perfect emodiment of what humanism was to the people in the Reniassance

The Sack of Rome (May 6, 1527)

May 6, 1527

On May 6, 1527, more than 20,000 soldiers under the force of Charles V, invaded and looted Rome. This led to a abrupt downfall on Rome's economy, a lot of Spanish ruling on Roman territory, a high level of religious orthodoxy, and there was a noticeable decrease of patrons. The effects of the Sack of Rome are important because they are considered to be the main trigger for the downfall of the Renaissance in Italy.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

William

Shakespeare

When asked to think about an author, Shakespeare is proabably the first person to come to your mind. That's how great he was. His dramatic works of literature such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet", possessed a great amount of symbolism that could explain and teach about society. Another important fact about Shakespeare is that he invented some words that are still used in everyday English. I mean, what can this man not do?

Publication of the First Atlas (May 22, 1570)

May 22, 1570

On May 22, 1570, Abraham Ortelius publsihed the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the world's first atlas. This was such an important event because it represented a huge development from the Age of Exploration. The fact that they could map out the entire world, just by looking at the information they had from discoveries, is truly a huge advancement in progress.