The Renaissance.

The Italian Renaissance's important people.

Period: Jan 1, 1300 to Dec 31, 1575

Time period of great artwork and culture.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Apr 15, 1452

He was an architect, engineer, painter, sculptor, and a scientist. He is best known for his paintings. Two of his most famous potraits are The Mona Lisa, and The Last Supper.

Desiderius Erasmus

Oct 28, 1466

He was a dutch scholar who lived from 1466 to 1536. Erasmus entered the monastery, and later left it since he could not persue the studies he wanted to do. He was interested in the early Christian period, and Greek and Roman culture. Desiderius criticized fasting, pilgrimages to religious shrines, and even the church's view of the Bible. His most famous book is called The Praise of Folly.

Niccolo Machiavelli

May 3, 1469

Niccolo lived from 1469 to 1527 and was a Florentine dipolmat and historian. His best known work is the essay, The Prince. It was a manual on acquiring and keeping political power. During his life, he wanted to describe the government in terms it actually worked.

Isabella d'Este

May 19, 1474

Isebella lived from 1474 to 1539. She was one of the leading women in the Renaissance as a major cultural and political figure. She was a Patron of the arts and a leader of fashion.

Michelangelo

Feb 23, 1475

He was an amazing painter. He lived from 1475 to 1564. He is most famous for his painting on the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican's ceiling. It is a painting of events out of the gospel in the bible. Another thing is is famous for is the Pietà, which is a statue of mary holding the dead body of her son, Jesus after he is taken down from the cross.

Thomas More

Feb 7, 1478

More was an English humanist. He showed a interest in the classics, and wrote Utopia in 1516. In his work, he would express his views of the corruption of the government and ownership of preoperty causes conflicts against people. In Utopia, he contrasts the life in Europe to his imaginary ideal world and society.

Rafael

Feb 25, 1483

He lived from 1483 to 1520. Rafael became famous in Florence from the pope hiring him to help beautify the Vatican. He painted frescoes in the papal chambers, and is most famous for his madonnas.

Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Martin Luther was a monk, priest and a teacher. He had quit law school and entered into the monastery searching for salvation in his life. He developed beliefs, and taught that no good deeds or ceremonies made no difference in a sinner. Martin challenged the church and they responded to his actions by throwing him out. He started his own and founded Luther Church.

Titian

Feb 25, 1488

He lived from 1488 to 1576 and spent much of his life in Venice. The Assumption of the Virgin are known for it's sense of srama and rich colors found in the painting. Titian was one of the first painters to become wealthy from his lifes work, and the holy roman emperor was a patron of his.

William Shakespeare

Feb 24, 1564

William lived from 1564 to 1616 and is a known author in all English literature. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets during his life time. He would use personality, human emotions, and human nature in his works. Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth are some of his most famous plays.