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Apr 18, 1487
St. Peter's Basilica
While there were many Renaissance architects that worked on the Basilica, the key architectural influences were Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini. Found in Vatican City, the tradition is that this is the burial place of St. Peter who was considered the first Pope. -
Jan 1, 1503
Sadanaga's Matsumoto Castle
Sandanaga's Castle is nick-named The Keep and is known for its black exterior. It still maintains all of its original wooden interior and stonework. -
Jan 25, 1504
Michelangelo's David
Commissioned by the Operai in Florence, Michelangelo's David took three years to complete. He was only 26 years old when he began the work. Today it stands displayed in the Accademia Gallery, Florence, Italy and is probably one of the most famous sculptures in the world. -
Jan 1, 1511
Raphael's School of Athens
This fresco by Raphael can be found in Stanze di Raffaello, in the Vatican. It is thought to be the second of the frescos painted by Raphael and represents Philosophy. It is thought to be a significant example of Renaissance art. -
Jan 1, 1512
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Ceiling
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is likely the most famous work of Michelangelo's. It is 40.9 meters long and 14 meters wide. It depicts three hundred figures and took four years to complete. -
Jan 1, 1513
Machiavelli's The Prince
Machiavelli's The Prince portrayed immoral behavior as "business as usual" for politicians. The term Machiavellian is used negatively to describe such person. The premise is that social stability may be maintained through immoral practices. -
Jan 1, 1515
Michelangelo's Moses
Michelangelo's Moses is a marble sculpture and commissioned by Pope Julius II for his tomb. Originally part of a massive design of over 40 statues, the statue was to sit facing St. Paul. -
Jan 1, 1516
More's Utopia
Thomas More's Utopia is a political novel told in a frame story. It takes place in Utopia where More describes his version of the best type of society. It was originally written in Latin despite the fact that More was an Englishman. -
Jan 1, 1517
da Vinci's Mona Lisa
Considered the most famous portrait in the world, the Mona Lisa seems to hold many mysteries. It a half-length portrait thought to be of Lisa Gherardini, however, there are speculations that this is incorrect. It is thought that da Vinci began work on it in 1503 but continued to work on it up until 1517. -
Jan 1, 1531
Parmigianino's Madonna with Long Neck
Parmigianino's Madonna with Long Neck is a panel picture with oils. It is painted in the style of the Mannerists. This painting is considered his masterpiece. It was commissioned for a private chapel but is now on display at the Uffizi Museum. -
Jan 1, 1543
Bronzino's Head of Smiling Young Woman
Bronzino's drawing of the Head of Smiling Young Woman is rendered in charcoal and black chalk and highlighted with white chalk. -
Jan 1, 1551
Palestrina's Magnum Mysterium
Palestrina's compositions are the most famous of Renaissance composers. He is most known for his sacred music including hymns, chants, offertories, and lamentations. Magnum Mysterium is a well-known piece by Palestrina. The exact date is unknown. -
Jan 1, 1558
Bruegel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
This Bruegel painting is oil on canvas and has been the subject of many other works of art, especially poetry. The painting portrays normal activities continuing on as a mythological Icarus falls to his death in the distance. -
Jan 1, 1562
Titian's The Rape of Europa
Contrasting to Titian's earlier works, this painting incorporates strong brush strokes, streaming colors, and has a lack of definite lines. This painting was painted for Philip II of Spain. -
Jan 1, 1563
Veronese's The Wedding of Cana
Veronese's The Wedding of Cana is an oil on canvas depicting the wedding where Jesus performs his very first miracle of turning water into wine. -
Jan 1, 1575
Palladio's Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is a Benedictine church was designed by Andrea Palladio. Construction began in 1566 and the structure of it was finished by 1575. Located in Venice, Italy it is constructed mostly of bright, white marble -
El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
Considered one of El Greco's finest works, this piece reflects a legend of the count who was a great philanthropist, and upon his death, he supposedly donated a large sum of money to decorate the church. It is thought that both St. Stephen and St. Augustine descended from heave upon his death. -
Byrd's English Song-Books
William Byrd is considered the greatest English Renaissance composer. He published two collections of English songs in 1588 and 1589. The first contained mostly instrumental ensemble while the second had voices added for two parts. -
Marlowe's The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Written by Christopher Marlowe at some unknown date, The Passionate Shepherd was first published in 1599 posthumously. The persona of the poem is wooing a young maiden to run away with him and be his love. As one of the most well known love poems in English, it is considered to be a pastoral style poem written in iambic tetrameter. Walter Raleigh wrote a famous parody in reply to Marlowe's poem. -
Shakespeare's Hamlet
Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is the most famous and most re-enacted play by the playwright. The dating is approximate with estimations from 1599-1602. The character of Hamlet is one of the most complex and most human created by Shakespeare and presents many existential questions about life.
