City-states vied for the best artists. After Ghiberti dragged his feet, Siena invited Donatello to finish the job.
Early Renaissance in Italy: 1400s
The intimate Magi Chapel still dazzles its visitors with its vividly painted frescoes and gold leaf that show the three Magi and members of the Medici family—and more
Benozzo Gozzoli, The Medici Palace Chapel frescoes
This altarpiece—made for the Medici palace chapel—depicts both a biblical scene, that of the Nativity (the moments immediately following the birth of Jesus Christ), as well as an inspiration to pious prayer.
Fra Filippo Lippi, The Adoration
This brief introduction is intended to orient you to some important, basic information as you begin to study Italian renaissance art.
A primer for Italian renaissance art
His nudity references classical antiquity, but David embodies the ideals and concerns of 15th-century Florence.
Donatello, David
Humanism looked to antiquity for inspiration in reforming society and had a tremendous impact on all aspects of life.
Humanism in renaissance Italy
Artists explored new approaches to form inspired by surviving art and architecture from antiquity as well as ancient authors’ discussions of them.
Humanism in Italian renaissance art
Artistic exchanges between Venice and Crete at that time contributed to the formation of an artistic environment unique in the Italian renaissance.
Greek painters in renaissance Venice
The life-sized figures of Mary and Gabriel occupy an open porch—a space not unlike the cloisters of San Marco.
Fra Angelico, The Annunciation
Brunelleschi’s panel may be scarier, but Ghiberti’s is more emotionally complex. In both, an angel saves the day.
Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, Sacrifice of ...
The Laudario of Sant'Agnese is one of the most important examples of early Renaissance illumination and it was decorated by two of the most sought-after workshops at the time.
Laudario of Sant’Agnese
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?
The role of the workshop in Italian ...
Bellini zooms in on three figures—the Virgin Mary, Christ, and John—to create a sense of our being with them after Christ's death
Giovanni Bellini, Brera Pietà
In the five centuries since they were installed, Andrea della Robbia's sculptures of children have become a widely recognized symbol of the Innocenti hospital and of childhood itself
Andrea della Robbia’s bambini at the Ospedale ...
Virtue, pride, and magnificence intertwine at the Florentine palazzo that belonged to the Medici family
Michelozzo, Palazzo Medici
A painting shows life on the Grand Canal of Venice, including Black gondoliers
Vittore Carpaccio, Miracle of the Relic of ...
This particular artwork perfectly embodies all the things that northern European painters were thought to do best.
Hugo van der Goes, Portinari Altarpiece
Find out how the V&A investigates and analyzes the miniatures in order to understand more about what they were made of, when they were made, and how to conserve them.
Conservation: portrait miniatures
Find out what qualities of watercolor made it the medium of choice for many Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniatures and colored drawings
Renaissance Watercolours: materials and techniques
Contemporary artist discusses how Botticelli's "The Annunciation" teaches humility
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