Rick's Renaissance (1300-1600 C.E.) Virtual Museum

Renaissance

Period: Jan 1, 1300 to Dec 31, 1600

The period in Europian history between 14th and 17th century in which connected Middle Ages to Modern Age. Starting in Italy it made its way across Europe. It means 'rebirth' and is often inspired by classical Greek and Roman culture.

Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Jul 12, 1320

The poem describes Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise or Heaven; but it truly represents, allegorically, the soul's journey towards God. At this deeper level, Dante draws on medieval Christian theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. It is a poem that is considered to be important due to its cantos, stanzas and timing.

David (bronze statue) by Donatello

Jul 12, 1440

Famous for being the first 'unsupported' bronze casting during the Renaissance and the first freestanding nude male sculpture since antiquity. It is an image of a smiling David standing over and on the head of Goliath. It was shrouded in conspiracy due to the nude image and is sometimes considered to be a discussion of homosexuality.

The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata by Donatello

Dec 1, 1453

Considered to be the prototype for all future Renaissance (and beyond) equestrian statues especially depicting famous individuals riding a horse. This one stands in Padua and was used for the rest of the Renaissance to memoralize heroes and leaders.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Jan 1, 1478

The first version of The Canterbury Tales to be published in print was William Caxton's 1478 edition however Chaucer was alive and writing around 1370-1390 roughly. There are 83 manuscripts but it is unknown how many are actually considered to be finished. Most story collections focused on a theme, usually a religious one and in this case is focused on pilgrimage. The interesting part is the breadth of the different styles used throughout all the stories.

Sistine Chapel (architecture and painting) by Michelangelo (and others)

Aug 15, 1483

Originally known as the Cappella Magna, the chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who restored it between 1477 and 1480. Since that time, the chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today it is the site of the Papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescos that decorate the interior, and most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Feb 14, 1486

Botticelli represented the Neoplatonic idea of divine love in the form of a nude Venus.

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo DaVinci

Jul 12, 1490

This artwork and manuscript is DaVinci's work on proportions and human anatomy based upon the architect Vitruvius. The image and notes show the correlation of art and mathematics that often played together in the Renaissance Period. "Leonardo believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe."

The Last Supper by Leonardo DaVinci

Feb 9, 1498

A religious icon and masterpiece for the Christian Faith. This work of art brings about an iconic image of Jesus and his disciples on the last night before Jesus would be arrested and ultimately crucified. It is the only surviving mural of DaVinci. The importance is in how it captures each of Jesus' apostles expressions when Jesus says one of them will betray him.

Statue of David by Michelangelo

Jul 12, 1504

This statue again shows the male nude, and it is of the biblical hero David. It was created and placed in Florence where it soon became known as a symbol for civil liberties and freedoms. Florence was a republic city-state surrounded on all sides by potential threats, and the glare of the The David is said to have been turned towards Rome.

Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci

Dec 1, 1506

Considered to be the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa is shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories and has been shown to have an underlying image that could have been the original model for DaVinci. The painting is often considered to be the embodiemnt of the virgin Mary and is often considered the foundation of many other famous painters of the era. And do not forget the eyes are supposed to follow you anywhere.

Firearm(s)

Jul 12, 1509

In 1498 the 'hand cannon' became a true firearm with the advent of rifling in the barrel and beyond that one of the first true pistols in the wheel-lock pistol. It took the matchlock concept of ignition to a wheel of flint that would cause the spark needed to fire the projectile. It was a beautiful creation and it showed in both craftsmanship and overall cost (high priced).

The Creation of Adam (Sistine Chapel) by Michelangelo

Dec 25, 1512

Part of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo, the Creation of Adam is considered to be the iconic and most viewed / re-created portion. It depicts the scene in which Adam is created by God from the book of Genesis and shows them almost touching fingers which has been concluded as the definition of the relationship between God and humanity.

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

Jul 12, 1532

The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning politics and ethics.

De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) by Nicolaus Copernicus

Jul 12, 1543

Goes against the Holy Church and Ptolemy's theory that the Earth is the center of the universe. Discusses that mathematics (not physics of the day which was still very grounded in religious theory) should be used to realize that the sun is the center of our universe.

Chateau de Chambord (France) by Domenico da Cortona (or maybe Leonardo DaVinci)

Jul 12, 1547

Built to be a hunting lodge for King Francis I and rarely used at all. It was started in 1519 and was not fully completed until 1547. The Chateau was not intended to actually provide defense, and most of the defenses were simply decorative. The conspiracy and mystery of it is in whether the original design was altered due to a new design being laid out by Leonardo DaVinci. Throughout its history, it has been often remodeled but also not used.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Feb 14, 1595

Originally published in 1597 but written before this by the immortal bard. Known as a tragedy but the use of comedy is apparent and utilized to grow the characters. Also as the characters grow or deteriorate they are given more or less substantial poetry (i.e. sonnets) to their lines. Often criticized but still considered to be one of the most prolific and well known plays by Shakespeare.

St. Peter's Basilica (groundbreaking April 18, 1506

Nov 18, 1626

Completed after groundbreaking over 100 years later, it is the home of the Catholic faith inside the Vatican. Its dome is a dominant feature of the skyline of Rome. One of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its namesake, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Antioch and first Bishop of Rome, making him the first Pope.

Flint-Lock Firearms

Jul 12, 1640

Initially created in 1640, the flintlock technology would be used for two centuries and would bring in a new way to have warfare. The flintlock solved the problem of manually pushing back the lid that covered the gunpowder by being designed to both push back the lid and spark a flint simultaneously.