Italian Renaissance

Beginning

Apr 6, 1341

Francesco Petrarch is crowned Poet Laurete. This date marks the beginning of the Renaissance.

Papacy Returns to Rome

Sep 8, 1420

Papacy returns back to Rome under Martin V. It brings the prestige and wealth necessary to rebuild the city.

Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti

Dec 1, 1425

The Gates of Paradise include several scenes relating to one Old Testament hero and use many figure and extensive details. "These doors depict events from the Creation to the reign of Solomon." [4] It is the main gate of the Baptistry of Florence. The door stands at 17 foot tall. Lorenzo Ghiberti won the competition to decorate the doors.

Dome of the Florence Cathedral by Filippo Brunelleschi

May 8, 1436

The Dome of the Florence Cathedral is known as Brunelleschi's dome. It was the largest dome in the world at the time it was created. Brunelleschi managed to build the dome "without scaffolding in such a way that it supported itself as the work progressed." [5] He invented a three speed hoist with an intricate system of gears, pulleys, and shafts. The octagon shaped dome is also lightweight.

David by Donatello

Feb 22, 1440

David by Donatello is the first free-standing, life-sized nude statue since antiquity. It tells of the story of David and Goliath. This bronze statue was commissioned by the Medici family. The statue looks proud of his victory. The relaxed contrapposto and the placement of his left hand resting on his hip looks like confidence and pride. His right hand holds the sword that he used to cut off Goliath's head.

Pope Nicholas V

Mar 6, 1447

Pope Nicholas V ascends to the Throne. He takes the first step toward turning Rome into a Renaissance city, undertaking many construction projects and strongly encouraging the arts.

Fall of Constantinople

May 29, 1453

The rise of Ottoman Turks led to the fall of Constantinople, the center of the Byzantine Empire. [1]

Gutenberg Bible

Mar 17, 1454

Johann Gutenberg is "credited with the moveable type and development of the printing press." [2] He prints the Gutenberg Bible. The printing of books makes literature more accessible all throughout Europe.

Lorenzo de Medici

Jan 1, 1469

Lorenzo de Medici, "The Magnificent," assumed power and ruled Florence. He was a "member of the Platonic Academy of Philosophy and gathered about him a galaxy of artists and gifted men in all fields." [3] He spent most of his wealth on buildings, paintings, and sculptures.

Sixtus IV

Aug 8, 1471

Sixtus IV becomes Pope. He commissioned for the creation of the Sistine Chapel. However, he disgraces the church through his corruption and practice of nepotism.

Camera Degli Sposi by Andrea Mantegna

Apr 15, 1474

Camera Degli Sposi, also known as bridal chamber or painted chamber is a room painted with illusionistic paintings by Andrea Mantega in the Ducal Palace. It was commissioned by Ludovico Gonzaga. The paintings are "representations of the Gonzaga family and court and of Mantega's skills as a portraitist." [6] The illustrations painted present successes and allude to future ambitions of the Gonzaga family.

Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

Jul 13, 1482

Primavera, also known as Allegory of Spring, is a tempera panel painting by Sandro Botticelli. It was commissioned by the Medici family. It is full of allegorical meanings. In the painting, we can see Venus and Zephyrus, who is chasing Flora. Venus, in the center, represents benevolence. She separates material (right) from spiritual values (left).

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

Nov 18, 1490

The Vitruvian Man was found in one of Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks. This pen and ink drawing is known for its understanding of art and science. Da Vinci had an interest in proportion and was abel to make the connections between man and nature. He was inspired by Roman architect Vitruvius.

New World Found

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus landed on what is believed to have been the "New World," America.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

Feb 8, 1498

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is a mural painting. The painting captures the scene of Christ's final meal with his apostles, in which he claims that one of them will betray him. The painting is filled with symbolic references with attributes used to identify the apostles. Christ is in the center among the apostles, and "his body forms a triangle-like shape which is not overlapped by any apostles." [7]. The painting builds on composition and perspective.

David by Michelangelo

Aug 17, 1504

Michelangelo "chose to represent the young biblical warrior not after his victory with Goliath's head at his feet, but before the encounter with David sternly watching his approaching foe" [8]. David exhibits energy with his rugged torso, sturdy limbs, and large hands. You can see the swelling vein and tightening of the body. Michelangelo "invested his efforts in presenting towering, pent-up emotion rather than calm, ideal beauty" [9].

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

May 10, 1506

The Mona Lisa is a portrait of Lisa di Antonio Maria Gheradini, the wife of Francisco del Giocondo a wealthy Florentine. Da Vinci's concern was "painting a convincing representation of a specific individual, both in terms of appearance and personality" [10]. It exemplifies da Vinci's skill with chiaroscuro and atmospheric perspective. Mona Lisa's mouth forms a gentle smile and her gaze is directed at the viewer.

The School of Athens by Raphael

Oct 4, 1511

The School of Athens is a mural of a congregation of great philosophers and scientists of the ancient world. He introduced them as conversing and explaining their various theories and ideas. Plato and Aristotle are part of the painting too. Plato holds his book and points to Heaven, while Aristotle gestures toward the earth.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Oct 6, 1513

Niccolo Machiavelli publishes "The Prince," emphasizing the idea that it is better for the ruled to be feared than loved.

95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

The Reformation movement begins. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenburg, Germany. The movement caused a split in the Roman Catholic Church.

Circumnavigation

Sep 6, 1522

The Vittoria became the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.

Downfall of Renaissance Italy

May 6, 1527

When Pope Clement VII refuses to grant the imperial army a ransom, they attack the city of Rome. The downfall of Rome symbolizes the downfall of Renaissance Italy.