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Jan 1, 1420
Santa Maria Novella
This monumental structure stands in Florence, Italy. Designed by Leone Batista Alberti, it contains famous works such as Masaccio's "The Trinity" and Boticelli's nativity scene. "Santa Maria Novella - Church and Cloisters - Florence." Santa Maria Novella - Church and Cloisters - Florence. Hidden Italy, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/santa_maria_novella-cloist.html. -
Jan 1, 1436
Basilica de San Lorenzo
This cathedral in Florence Italy was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 with more of a Gothic style. By it's completion in 1436, it was given more Renaisaance era design and facade. The dome was the last to be completed. "Renaissance Architecture." Renaissance Architecture. Essential Humanities, 2008. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/architecture/renaissance/. -
Jan 1, 1440
David
Donatello's version of the David appeared 64 years before the famous sculpture by the same name by Michelangelo. The bronze David is depiced holding Goliath's giant sword with the giant's decapitated head at his feet. "Donatello | Biography - Italian Sculptor." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/168979/Donatello. -
Jan 1, 1452
Gates of Paradise
"Gates of Paradise," carved by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1452, were the original doors of the Bapistry of San Giovanni in Florence, Italy. The doors depict several Biblical scenes and have been moved to a museum for preservation. The bapistry now has doors that were produced to replace the originals. Lubow, Arthur. "The Gates of Paradise." Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institute, Nov. 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-gates-of-paradise-174431341/?no-ist. -
Jan 1, 1453
Gattameleta
Donatello carved this bronze statue of Gatameleta on horseback. It resides in Piazza del Santo in Padua, Italy. The statue inspired other equestrian statues in the West. "Donatello | Biography - Italian Sculptor." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/168979/Donatello. -
Jan 1, 1485
Birth of Venus
One of Sandro Botticelli's most famous paintings, the "Birth of Venus" depicts the goddess of love and beauty as the myth describes her birth, emerging full-grown from the sea foam. "Birth of Venus." Renaissance Painting. Essential Humanities, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/painting/renaissance/. -
Jan 1, 1495
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of the last supper of Christ and his disciples is one of the most well-known Renaissance pieces of art. There are many interpretations and commentaries about the nuances of this painting.
Da Vinci, Leonardo. "The Last Supper." Tick Italy, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. http://www.tickitaly.com/galleries/davinci-last-supper.php. -
Jan 1, 1500
Pieta
Michelangelo very famous sculpture resides in Saint Peter's cathedral in the Vatican in Vatican City. The statue depicts Mary, the mother of Christ, holding him after the crucifixtion. It is the only statue Michelangelo ever signed. "Pieta." Michelangelo Sculptures, David, Pieta. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.michelangelo-gallery.com/sculptures.aspx. -
Jan 1, 1504
David
Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David is nearly perfect in the details. From the veins in his hands to the curls around his face, the sculpture depicts the human form in reality. This statue can be viewed at the Galleria dell'Accademia. "David." Michelangelo Sculptures, David, Pieta. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.michelangelo-gallery.com/sculptures.aspx. -
Jan 1, 1506
Madonna of the Goldfinch
"Madonna of the Goldfinch was painted by Rafael in 1506. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, Christ and John the Baptist as toddlers. John holds a Goldfinch for which Christ is reaching. The painting reflects the innocence of youth and Christ as a baby. "Madonna Del Cardellino." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_del_cardellino. -
Jan 1, 1509
Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Perhaps Michelangelo's most well-known paitning, the "Sistine Chapel Ceiling" depicts the Bible from the beginning of time with the creation of man to the end of times and the judgment of man. The painting covers the walls and the ceiling, going in order of the events in the Bible. "Sistine Chapel Ceiling." Renaissance Painting. Essential Humanities, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/painting/renaissance/.
Photo credit: Aaron Logan -
Jan 1, 1510
Missa de Beata Virgine
Josquin de Prez composed this mass as part of a canon. It is written in plainsong and is one of his most popular masses. Listen here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K6ZRIyBjNA
McComb, Todd M. "Josquin Desprez (c.1440/55-1521) - A Discography." Josquin Desprez. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/composers/josquin.html. -
Jan 1, 1517
Mona Lisa
The "Mona Lisa" is one of the most famous painitings of Leonardo da Vinci. It is often said to be the wife of a rich man who paid to have the portrait painted for his home. The subject of the painting has created much controversy through the years. "Mona Lisa." Renaissance Painting. Essential Humanities, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/painting/renaissance/. -
Jan 1, 1545
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Benvenuto Cellini's famous statues is a bronze depiction of the mythological hero, Perseus after he slays the Gorgon, Medusa. The statue resides in Florence, Italy in the Piazza del Signoria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_with_the_Head_of_Medusa -
Jan 1, 1567
Peasant Wedding
Pieter Bruegel was a Flemish painter who is best known for his depiction of peasant life. The wedding shows the merriment of a spring barn wedding as everyone celebrates with food and drink. "Peasant Wedding." Renaissance Painting. Essential Humanities, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/painting/renaissance/. -
El Escorial
This Spanish palace was designed by Juan Baustista de Toldeo for the king of Spain, Phillip II. It took only 21 years to completel this lavish palace. "Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo De El Escorial in San Lorenzo De El Escorial, Spain: Monuments in San Lorenzo De El Escorial | Spain.info for United States." Spain.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.spain.info/en_US/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/madrid/real_monasterio_de_san_lorenzo_de_el_escorial.html. -
L'Orfeo
Monteverdi is famous for his Madrigals and this opera. He was the first to assign musical instruments to various sections of the opera. He was the first to compose a musical drama with this piece. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ma4OelX45ICladuio "Claudio Monteverdi Biography." - Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline. The Famous People, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/claudio-monteverdi-430.php. -
Shakespeare's The Sonnets
William Shakespeare's sonnets were published in 1609. There are 154 sonnets written by Shakespeare. Some were about a young man and the others were about a dark, unattractive woman. Shakespeare's sonnets have three quatrains with a rhyming couplet at the end, all written in iambic pentameter. Public Domain retreived from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare#/media/File:Sonnets1609titlepage.jpg -
King James Bible
The King James version of the Bible was translated into English for the first time under the reign of King James I in 1611. It is both beautiful and poignant and a great achievement in English literature. Curtis, Ken. "Story Behind King James Bible." Christianity.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1601-1700/story-behind-king-james-bible-11630052.html. -
Shakespeare's First Folio
Thirty-six of Shakespeare's plays were published in his first folio in the year of his death. His plays are written in unrhymed iambic pentameter and still have themes with which modern audiences can connect. Public domain retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare#/media/File:Title_page_William_Shakespeare's_First_Folio_1623.jpg -
The Papal Basilica of St. Peter
The Papal Basilica is located in the Vatican in Vatican City. It is one of the largest churches in the world. It houses great works of art, such as "The Peita." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica
