Expanding the Renaissance: a new Smarthistory initiative

Expanding the Renaissance: a Smarthistory initiative

Must all renaissance art history trumpet the achievements of famed artists such as Masaccio, Leonardo and Van Eyck? Can we center other narratives?

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Tiny timeline: global Europe

By Smarthistory

What do we learn by looking at Europe through a global lens?

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The Medieval and Renaissance Altarpiece

By Dr. Donna L. Sadler

The story embodied on the altarpiece offered an object lesson in the human suffering experienced by Christ.

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Why commission artwork during the renaissance?

By Dr. Heather Graham, Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

Find out more about why patrons commissioned artworks during the renaissance.

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Types of renaissance patronage

By Dr. Heather Graham, Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

Patrons mattered during the renaissance. Find out why.

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Female artists in the renaissance

By Dr. Deanna MacDonald

Despite obstacles, women became exceptional artists in the Renaissance

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The role of the workshop in Italian renaissance art

By Dr. Alexis Culotta

The Italian renaissance workshop's very presence creates a paradox: how can one reconcile the notion that the individual genius we note in the work of key Renaissance figures is actually thanks to the efforts of many?

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A primer for Italian renaissance art

By Dr. Heather Graham

This brief introduction is intended to orient you to some important, basic information as you begin to study Italian renaissance art.

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Humanism in renaissance Italy

By Dr. John M. Hunt

Humanism looked to antiquity for inspiration in reforming society and had a tremendous impact on all aspects of life.

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Humanism in Italian renaissance art

By Dr. Heather Graham

Artists explored new approaches to form inspired by surviving art and architecture from antiquity as well as ancient authors’ discussions of them.

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Introduction to gender in renaissance Italy

By Dr. Heather Graham

Throughout Europe women’s relegation to the domestic sphere was rooted in Christian tradition that placed blame for humanity’s fall from grace upon Eve, the first woman.

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