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1502
Young Hare
German artist Albrecht Dürer painted with watercolor and bodycolor at the beginning of the 16th century. Though the Renaissance is typically associated with Italy, the movement spread across the European continent. Dürer captured the likeness of the hare so well that critics have considered it to be like a photograph. It is also referred to as "Field Hare" or "Feldhase." -
1502
Tempietto of San Pietro
Donato Bramanate built the Tempietto of San Pietro as a commission for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1502. The temple symbolizes the martyrdom of Saint Peter and incorporates classic elements of ancient temples. -
Sep 8, 1504
Statue of David
Michelangelo was by far one of the most prolific artists of the Italian Renaissance. His iconic sculpture features the biblical figure David, chiseled from marble. Originally the statue was placed in Piazza della Signoria, but the city of Florence later moved it to the Galleria dell'Accademia for safe keeping. -
1506
Mona Lisa
Perhaps one of the most famous paintings, the Mona Lisa must have been Leonardo Da Vinci's finest accomplishments. On display at the Louvre in Paris, this portrait has raised many questions over the centuries. Most likely, however, the subject was Lisa del Giocondo because Da Vinci was commissioned by her husband to paint a portrait. The oil painting is insured for one hundred million dollars. -
1509
Christ Carrying the Cross
Although it is accepted that Titian painted this classic, some historians attribute the oil painting to Giorgione. Regardless, the painting has been alleged to bring miracles. Currently the Museo del Prado houses Titian's beautiful oil painting. -
1510
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Also housed in the Museo del Prado, The Garden of Earthly Delights was Hieronymus Bosch's most famous painting. Like Durer, Bosch is another example of a Renaissance artist outside of Italy. The artwork is a triptych, which has three hinged panels that can be folded together. Bosch utilized oil on oak wood to create this detailed painting. -
1511
The School of Athens
This famous painting by Raphael was a commission for the Vatican and has been called a masterpiece by art critcs. This fresco depicts a congregation of ancient Greek philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Plotinus. Raphael captured the architecture of the ancient Greeks in his intricate painting. -
1512
The Sistine Madonna
The Sistine Madonna is another gorgeous example of Raphael's artistic prowess. Currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, the painting was another commission for the pope. The iconic cherubs at the bottom have been used in popular culture quite frequently. -
1512
Squirrels
Another Dürer masterpiece, this incredibly realistic painting of squirrels has been replicated for sale on a wide range of websites. Some historians attribute Dürer's artwork as the bridge from Italy to northern Europe during the Renaissance. His abilities to capture life-like images were only a small portion of his many artistic talents. -
1512
The Creation of Adam
Quite probably the best known scene on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" is rivaled in popularity by Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." The image of God and Adam's fingertips nearly touching has been replicated in popular culture in a variety of ways. -
1512
The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Michelangelo painstakingly worked on the Sistine Chapel's famous ceiling from 1508 to 1512. The various biblical scenes draw tourists from around the world to admire the artwork of one of the greatest painters of all time. Michelangelo employed the use of a scaffold in order to complete this project commissioned by the pope. -
1514
The Triumph of Galatea
Another fresco by Raphael, this painting depicts a mythological scene. During the Renaissance, it would seem ancient Greek and Roman mythology or Christianity ruled the art world. He completed this painting in 1514 for the Villa Farnesina in Rome. The image actually depicts an artistic adaptation of Galatea rather than an actual scene from the myth. -
1518
Assumption of the Virgin
Titian painted this elaborate altarpiece for the city of Venice to place in the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. He finished this oil painting in 1518 and placed it in a marble frame. The scene depicts the biblical story of the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven to be crowned by God. -
1521
Head of Christ
Now housed in the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, this masterpiece by Antonio Allegri da Correggio is a simple oil painting quite probably meant for private worship. The emotional expression painted on Christ's face seems to stare directly at the viewer. -
1526
Temptation in Eden
Lucas Cranach the Elder painted the iconic scene of Eve sharing an apple with Adam at the serpent's temptation. Cranach incorporated elements of landscape artwork, as well, and critics argue that each animal symbolizes morals and emotions depicted in the scene. The painting is now on display at The Courtauld Gallery in London. -
1540
Henry the VIII at 49
Hans Holbein the Younger painted one of the most famous images of King Henry the VIII of England. Holbein was the king's painter, and this image seems to be the most famous depiction of the Tudor. It is now on display at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in Rome. -
1541
The Last Judgment
Michelangelo spent four years painting an altar wall in the Sistine Chapel to depict the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. A bit of controversy surrounded the image depicting nudity, so draperies were painted to cover any offending images. A great deal of critique can be found regarding this elaborate painting. -
1550
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City displays Jacopo Tintoretto's painting depicting Christ feeding the hungry with bread and fish. This canvas oil painting quite possibly was meant for a chapel wall and is believed to be a companion to "Christ Washing the Feet of the Disciples." -
1563
The Tower of Babel
Painted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1563, The Tower of Babel depicts another biblical image with elements of ancient architecture. Now on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Bruegel's famous oil painting incorporates much of the same elements of artwork during the Renaissance. -
Queen Elizabeth I
Quite possibly the most lovely portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, Nicholas Hilliard captured the queen's likeness with abundant symbolism. Housed in the Hatfield House, this portrait not only displays fine art painting of the time period, but also fashion of the wealthy. Hilliard paid close attention to detail when painting the intricate beading of the dress.
