Timeline of the Renaissance by Cate Monahan

Early 14th Century- The Renaissance Begins

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-08 17:49:44 UTC

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy during the early fourteenth century. It reached its height during the High period, which lasted from 1490 to 1520. New ideas began to spread out of Italy during the late fourteenth century, and the historic period ended in 1527 (during the fall of Rome). Other events took over Europe, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Reformation (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).

1982- Historical Centre of Florence is Added to UNESCO

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-11 23:34:26 UTC

Characterized by its Tuscan Hills and bisected by the Arno River, Florence has remained a site of tradition and mastery. Today, Florentines work to preserve their city by tending to original buildings. Traditional shops set up in the city are a tribute to its past and guarantee preservation of the historic centre ("Historic Centre of Florence"). The Historic Centre of Florence meets criteria i, ii, iii, iv, and vi and was added to UNSECO in 1982.

Image source: 2007 photo on UNSECO

Between 1495-1498- Leonardo da Vinci paints The Last Supper

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-12 00:52:29 UTC

The Last Supper, a masterpiece painting by Leonardo da Vinci, illustrates a Biblical scene from Matthew 26 in which Jesus hosts "the last supper." Gathered around Jesus are his twelve disciples, all of which are reacting in a manner that da Vinci considered fit for each of their personalities. The Last Supper conveys a deep sense of emotion while still being a fairly simple piece (Zelazko).

Image source: Last Supper, wall painting by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1495–98, after its 1999 restoration; in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan on Britannica School

1508: Michelangelo Paints the Sistine Chapel

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-12 00:54:59 UTC

Michelangelo was asked to add paintings to the then insignificant Sistine Chapel during the High period of the Renaissance, a task that took him almost four years to complete. He painted twelve large figures on the ceiling of the Chapel and surprisingly included female figures in his designs. He also painted nine scenes from the Biblical book of genesis, centering his paintings on Creation, Adam and Eve, and other Biblical figures like Noah ("The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel").

Image source: Detail of a ceiling fresco by Michelangelo, 1508–12; in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City on Britannica School

Around 1503- Leonardo da Vinci Paints the Mona Lisa

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-12 01:10:33 UTC

The Mona Lisa, perhaps the most famous painting in the world, is regarded as a masterpiece. It was painted around 1503 before da Vinci's death in 1519 while he was living in Florence. The scenic painting presents a woman with a mysterious smile. Her unproven identity has made da Vinci's work a site of investigation. Now, the Mona Lisa is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, which is also home to a variety of other famous artworks (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).

Image source: Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503–19; in the Louvre, Paris on Britannica School

1499- Michelangelo Sculpts the Pietà

catemonahan27 — 2024-05-12 02:19:07 UTC

Michelangelo adopted a unique northern style when he sculpted Pietà, a theme in Christian art that depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus. He was influenced by techniques that stemmed from the Renaissance and thus decided to drape the figure of Jesus across Mary's lap. Like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's Pietà is considered a masterpiece because of the extortionary depiction of emotion in a fairly simple work. Although religious art declined after the 17th century, the Pietà continues to be a theme throughout Christian artwork (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).

Image source: Pietà, marble sculpture by Michelangelo, 1499; in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City on Britannica School