Renaissance Artists

Lived and worked in Florence

Close friend of the Medicis

David was first “real” sculpture

David by Donatello, copper cast, Uffizi Art Gallery, circa 1440s

Another close friend of the Medici

First to explore Greco-Roman mythology

Got in with Medici by kissing up to them in his paintings

Birth of Venus by Botticelli, oil on canvas, Uffizi Art Gallery, circa 1482-1486

More than just an artists—noted inventor, scientist, writer, etc.

Also responsible for two of the most famous pieces of art of all time

Began work in Florence, but moved around a lot and died in France

Adoration of the Magi by Da Vinci, oil on wood, Uffizi Gallery, 1485

The Last Supper by Da Vinci, fresco, Santa Maria delle Grazia, circa 1495-1498

Mona Lisa by Da Vinci, oil on canvas, The Louvre, circa 1503-1506

Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci, pen on paper, Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice, circa 1485-1487

Second part of the great masters trinity (L-R-M)

Just as famous for mass quality work his workshop produced

Not born in Florence but worked there and Rome

School of Athens by Raphael, fresco, St. Peter’s Basilica, 1510

Usually considered the master artist of the Renaissance

Famous for both paintings and sculpture

Tied up in Medici politics: Painted in both Florence and Rome

David by Michelangelo, marble, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, 1504

Painted by Michelangelo on his back from 1508-1512

Frustrated Pope with lack of speed and perfectionism

Depicts Genesis and prophets

Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, fresco, St. Peter’s Basilica, 1512

First of the Northern Flemish painters

First to perfect oil paintings, achieving modern mastery of colors

Master of portraits

First to mess with printing as well as painting

Fancied himself as peasant and man of the people—only tried to paint peasants and lanscapes

The Peasant Wedding by Bruegel, oil on canvas, Kunthistorisches Museum, 1568