Lived and worked in Florence
Close friend of the Medicis
David was first “real” sculpture
David by Donatello, copper cast, Uffizi Art Gallery, circa 1440s
Another close friend of the Medici
First to explore Greco-Roman mythology
Got in with Medici by kissing up to them in his paintings
Birth of Venus by Botticelli, oil on canvas, Uffizi Art Gallery, circa 1482-1486
More than just an artists—noted inventor, scientist, writer, etc.
Also responsible for two of the most famous pieces of art of all time
Began work in Florence, but moved around a lot and died in France
Adoration of the Magi by Da Vinci, oil on wood, Uffizi Gallery, 1485
The Last Supper by Da Vinci, fresco, Santa Maria delle Grazia, circa 1495-1498
Mona Lisa by Da Vinci, oil on canvas, The Louvre, circa 1503-1506
Vitruvian Man by Da Vinci, pen on paper, Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice, circa 1485-1487
Second part of the great masters trinity (L-R-M)
Just as famous for mass quality work his workshop produced
Not born in Florence but worked there and Rome
School of Athens by Raphael, fresco, St. Peter’s Basilica, 1510
Usually considered the master artist of the Renaissance
Famous for both paintings and sculpture
Tied up in Medici politics: Painted in both Florence and Rome
David by Michelangelo, marble, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, 1504
Painted by Michelangelo on his back from 1508-1512
Frustrated Pope with lack of speed and perfectionism
Depicts Genesis and prophets
Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, fresco, St. Peter’s Basilica, 1512
First of the Northern Flemish painters
First to perfect oil paintings, achieving modern mastery of colors
Master of portraits
First to mess with printing as well as painting
Fancied himself as peasant and man of the people—only tried to paint peasants and lanscapes
The Peasant Wedding by Bruegel, oil on canvas, Kunthistorisches Museum, 1568