Leonardo da Vinci was an important painter during the Italian Renaissance.
The Italian Renaissance is a significant and productive time period for the art world. In particular, the city of Florence was very important and many famous paintings were created by artists in residence in this city. Many new methods were developed during the Renaissance as paintings began to depict accurate representations of humans. This was mainly due to the important links found between science and art during the Renaissance.
Massacio
Masaccio is considered the founder of Renaissance painting, though he based his style from that of Giotto. His best-known and important painting is a fresco, entitled "Tribute Money," found in the Brancacci Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, located in Florence. This painting is important as it was one of the first to show realistic perspective, accomplished by using different shading and lighting techniques. This is one example of Renaissance art that still used halos around the heads of holy figures, though unlike the Middle Ages, the halo is done in three dimensions. This would eventually be completely removed in other Renaissance art.
Michaelangelo
Michelangelo was one of the most celebrated painters of the Renaissance, with many famous paintings and frescos. He was considered a reluctant painter, as he thought of himself as more of a sculptor rather than a painter. However, his painting of the Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous and well-known works in the world. In particular, the "Creation of Adam" found on the ceiling of the chapel, is very famous as is the fresco of the "Last Judgment" located on an altar wall.
Boticelli
Botticelli was affected by Florentine painters. He is unparalleled for his way of expressing movement within the painting and painting things that are described as exquisitely beautiful. In particular, his "Birth of Venus" is a famous painting that was done for the Medici family. This is a mythological painting, not focusing on religious figures and contains an allegorical meaning that can teach a moral lesson.
Leonardo da Vinci
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci brought about the beginning of the high Renaissance style. This was painted and still resides in Milan. It took two years to paint. There are several factors that separate this painting from many others during the Renaissance. Nonessential elements were taken out of the painting, there are no human figures except for the main subjects of the painting, all the disciples are found on one side of the table, whereas previous paintings of the last supper have Judas on the opposite side, and the landscape in the distance, seen through the window, does not distract from the main subject. The painting uses different gestures and attitudes, but still shows unity throughout.
