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Jan 1, 1500
Temptation of Saint Anthony
"The Temptation of St. Anthony" is a triptych painting on wooden panels by Hieronymus Bosch. The painting illustrates a symbolic story of Anthony's spiritual as well as mental torments. St. Anthony completes an arch of being drawn towards a multitude of sin until coming out at the other side of the painting with unwavering devotion. Walter Gibson described Bosch's work as "a world of dreams {and} nightmares in which forms seem to flicker and change before our eyes." -
Jan 1, 1500
Firgure of a Hornblower
The "Figure of a Horn Blower" is one amongst ten known figurative sculptures of its likeness which were dedicated to deceased kings in the royal court of Benin. Symbols on the horn blowers garments denote a strong tie to nature, depicting leopard, human, and elephant heads. The elephants are depicted as having hands on their trunks. There is also a depiction of the Edo god of the waters in the deities symbol of a circle with four projecting leaves. The sculpture is dated between 1500-1550. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to Jan 1, 1550
1500-1550
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Jan 1, 1501
Palazzo Ajutamicristo Matteo Carnilivari
Guglielmo Ajutamicristo was a banker who had the Palazzo Ajutamicristo built after growing wealthy from trading cheese and cereals over the course of a few decades. A distinguished architect named Matteo Carnilivari built the Palazzo, but its original disignes were modified due to expenses and it was not fully completed. Regardless, the palace became a favorite dwelling to royalty and other distinguished citizens. -
Jan 1, 1502
Young Hare
Albrecht Dürer's "Young Hare" is a watercolor and bodycolor observational style painting in which the hare represents nearly photographic accuracy. The painting was extremely challenging on a technical level, with Dürer incorporating a golden light falling on the hares left. The hare retains an impressively life like quality, an example being the crosshatching within the eyes of his subjects. Some theorize the cross hatch in the hares eye is the reflection of Dürer's studio window. -
Jan 1, 1504
David
Michelangelo's "David" is a marble statue of biblical hero by the same name and came to symbolize civil liberties in the Florentine Republic. Unlike earlier depictions of David, Goliath is absent, leading some to theorize that David's determined expression yet relaxed posture shows him moments after the decision to fight the giant. The statues stands 17 feet tall and Giorgio Vasari expressed David was, "certainly a miracle that of Michelangelo, to restore to life one who was dead." -
Jan 1, 1506
Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" is widely considered to be the world's most recognizable painting. This oil painting is subjected to continual study and fascination by scholars for its composition, atmospheric illusionism, and forms. Lisa's enigmatic face is a pull to the viewer, being even more enticing as its lighter colors pop from the darker surroundings of her hair and robe. The painting is amongst one of the first to use an aerial perspective and and represents an overall harmony. -
Jan 1, 1509
Magdalen Tower
One of the oldest parts of Magdalen College, Oxford, the stone bell tower is encased by Octagonal turrets. Mock battlements protrude from the fourth story. The towers bells are still in use, ringing for many occasions throughout the year such as royal and college anniversaries. -
Jan 1, 1510
Three Ages of the Woman and the Death
Hans Baldung was a student of Albrecht Dürer and considered the most gifted of his pupils. Following his distinctive style, "Three Ages of the Woman and the Death" is expressive and imagniative, incorporating a prominent use of color. The painting comes from the period in which Baldung became fascinated with witchcraft and the encroachment of death. His artwork was the first to introduce themes of the supernatural and erotic into German art. -
Jan 1, 1511
The Praise of Folly
"In Praise of Folly", written by Desiderius Erasmus, is an essay written in Latin in 1509. Considered one of the most notable works of the Renaissance, it was one of the catalysts starting the Protestant Reformation. It is a satirical work examines the abuses of Catholic doctrine and corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. In Praise of Folly played a part in the study of the rhetoric and adoxography in literature. -
Jan 1, 1512
Self-portrait in red chalk
This self portrait Leonardo da Vinci is a sketch done in red chalk on paper. The uncommon style for the time of long hair is a representation of wisdom, along with the fine lines and shading used to depict his age. Alternatively, the painting may also represent the fading of da Vinci's own youth and importance, with his best works being behind him and an attitude that future artistic endeavors will be lacking in comparison. -
Jan 1, 1513
Knight, Death and the Devil (engraving)
"Knight, Death and the Devil" is a copperplate engraving by Albrecht Düre. A knight of Christ rides in a semblance, and possibly direct interpretation, of Psalm 23, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The knight rides steadfast, paying no attention to deaths hourglass (his eventual death) and the devil ignored to his rear. This was amongst three engravings by Düre which were dubbed Meisterstiche, or master prints, due to their unrivaled merit. -
Jan 1, 1516
St. John the Baptist
"St. John the Baptist" is believed to be Leonardo da Vinci's last painting, created during the transition from the High Renaissance to Mannerism and became a subject of study in Mannerist schools. Unlike other depictions of St. John, da Vinci's painting shows him with highly feminine characteristics, compelling a haunting beauty and sexual ambiguity. St. Johns form is enveloped in darkness, with his face seemingly emanating out of the blackness. -
Jan 1, 1520
Battle of Issus
Albrecht Altdorfer painted "The Battle of Issus" which depicts Alexander the Great's defeat of Darius III of Persia. The scene has been regarded as Aldorfer's Masterpiece. The scene is not historically accurate but a statement towards a current conflict with the Ottoman forces in Europe, where Alexander the Greats forces are wearing suits of armor and Darius's in Turkish battle dress. Some theorize it may also be a statement to the recurrence of history. -
Jan 1, 1520
"The King's Singers"
LISTEN" "The King's Singers" is a Madrigal by Jacques Arcadelt composed between 1500-1540. Madrigals used to be more simplistic before the 1500s but by the this period of the Renaissance madrigals were composed using 4 to 6 voices. Madrigals intend to express emotions in celebrated poems, either in each line or each individual word. The madrigal is a secular form of music, non religious, and became the most important non secular music -
Jan 1, 1528
The Book of the Courtier
"The Book of the Courtier" follows a series of fictional conversations between the Duke o Urbino's courtiers. Written by Baldesar Castiglione, it is one of the most accurate accounts of court life in the Renaissace. The book was amongst the most widely sold books of the 16th century and was printed in six different languages. -
Jan 1, 1529
La Nature
"La Nature" is a statue sculpted by the Italian Mannerist artist Niccolo Tribolo and was commisioned by the French king François I as a vase support. The statue encompasses the artificial qualities notable in Mannerism, depicting a woman with a great number of breasts surrounding her torso. She is harmonious in nature, her number of breasts exagerating her ability to care and nuture. Her arms are held upwards as animals, plants, and human babies cling to her torso. -
Jan 1, 1532
Head of Christ Crowned
Ligier Richier was a French religious sculpture who focused primarily on scenes from Passion of Christ. The "Head of Christ Crowned" is one such sculpture, depicting Jesus Christ wearing the crown of thorns during his crucifixion. It is unclear at what point during the crucifixion the sculpture takes place, but it is likely after Christ's death, as he does not appear to be in anguish. Sacrifice is a principle theme as well, suggesting his death. -
Jan 1, 1533
The Ambassadors
"The Ambassadors" is a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger depicting two wealthy, learned, influential men surrounded by the possessions which are evidence of their status. Hidden within the painting are subtle messages which disrupt the worthiness of the Ambassadors, such as the broken lute string which may represent religious discord. There is a distorted skull, which becomes clear when standing at a particular angle; an always present but often forgotten reminder of mortality. -
Jan 1, 1535
Mountains in Clouds
"Mountains in the Clouds" is an ink and wash style painting by Chén Chún. Chún's family were wealthy scholar-officials and he was schooled in calligraphy. Breaking away from calligraphy, Chún turned to and developed his own unique style of ink and wash, considered in China to be the most prestigious form of art. Aesthetically, ink and wash aims to capture not only the appearance of the subject, but to capture its spirit. Thinglyness outweighed complete accuracy. -
Jan 1, 1540
"Requiem of Four Voices"
LISTENOrlando Lassus composed "Requiem for four voices," a secular song intended for a mass setting. Lassus was composing religious music during a time of great reformation in the church. While the church was losing its influence over art (do to Humanism and other Reinassance movements) Lassus continued to compose music for mass. The music carries an air of the sacred which masses its intent to charge the atmosphere of worship. -
Jan 1, 1545
Zecca of Venice
The Palazzo della Zecca or Zecca of Venice was commissioned as the mint for Venice. An economic boom in the early 1530's was too much for the previous mint and the Zecca became a building of great importance. The Zecca became a symbol of Venice's prosperity, styled around the idea of being the New Rome. Aesthetically, the two lower floors are built to appear as a fortress, while the third story is more elegant and decorated, using Ionic pillars rather than Doric. -
Jan 1, 1545
"O Magnum Mysterium"
LISTEN "O Magnum Mysterium" is a motet by Adrian Willaert. Written in latin, one verse translates as "O great mystery and wonderful sacrament that animals could see the birth of the Lord lying in a manger." This piece has survived and is perfomed today, partly do to the nature of its context, but also do to the quality and pathos of its composition. -
Jan 1, 1547
Transi de René de Chalon
"Transi de René de Chalon" is a statue by Ligier Richier which stands in Saint-Étienne church in Bar-le-Duc, France. The statue represents René de Chalon, the Prince of Orange, whome died in battle at the age of 25. His widow commissioned the statue and either she or Chalon himself requested that he be represented in the decaying form, expressing the transitory nature of physical life. Originally, the statue held the actual heart of Chalon, holding it upright and presenting it to heaven. -
Jan 1, 1549
St. Roch in the Hospital
"St. Roch in the Hospital" is an oil painting by Tintoretto which hangs in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy. The painting is a hopeful, and possibly propagandist work, which depicts a saint healing a man with the plague. An aura is seen around his head, showing the divine power used to rid the sick of the plague. Hospitals like this were constructed to segregate those with the plague for the population and the women are most likely unemployed prostitutes. -
Jan 1, 1550
The Facetious Nights of Straparola
"The Facetious Nights of Straparola" is a collection of 75 stories collected into two albums. Written by Giovanni Francesco Straparola, it is considered to be the first European storybook containing fairy-tales. The story book would go on to influence more well known authors such as Charles Perrault and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Several of these stories were later collected and retold, with influences still being seen in modern media.
