Smith Virtual Museum 15th Century 1400- 1500

1400-1500

Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Jan 1, 1500

The Forbidden City

Jan 1, 1402

Building began in 1406 through 1420. For nearly 500 years this palace which consists of 980 buildings and covers 180 acres, was home to Chinese emperors and the center of politics and government.

Palacio Real de El Pardo

Jan 1, 1406

Building began in 1406 at the order of King Enrique III of Castile, though it has since been remodeled many times over. It is now a historical site in Madrid Spain.

Quattro Santi Coronati

Dec 4, 1408

c. 1408 -1415 by Nanni di Banco

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

Dec 4, 1412

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is thought to be one of the best remaining examples of French Gothic Manuscripts, The selected image comes from the manuscript and is showing the household of John, Duke of Berry exchanging New Year gifts. The Duke himself is shown dressed in blue off to the right. This manuscript was began by the Limbourg brothers, however they were unable to finish it (presumed because of death from a plague). It was later finished and enhanced by other artists.

Expulsion From the Garden

Jan 1, 1426

1426 -1427 by Masaccio A Fresco portrait of Adam and Eve of the Bible being cast from the Garden of Eden. The original was slightly altered when cleaned in the 1980s. Notice the missing fig leaves

The Feast of Herod

Jan 1, 1427

c. 1427 by Donatello
A bronze relief sculpture found in the baptistry of the Siena Cathedral in Italy. The art depicts the beheading of John the Baptist.

David

Jan 1, 1430

c.1430's by Donatello A bronze statue that depicts David from the Bible, standing on the severed head of the giant Goliath.

The Printing Press

Jan 1, 1450

Johnannes Gutenburg , a German goldsmith and printer creates the printing press, the first ovable type mechanical printing technology in Europe, which results in the publication and distribution of many past and future works.

The Gutenberg Bible

Feb 23, 1455

Written in Latin, and attributed to Johannes Gutenberg, it is estimated that only 48 copies have survived.

Le Morte D'Arthur

Jan 1, 1469

Written by Sir Thomas Malory, the title is French for "The Death of Arthur" and it is a compiliation of Arthurian legends of romance and chilvary.
Malory died in 1470 but William Caxton published and printed the first copy of this famed literary work in 1485

The Mouth of Hell

Jan 1, 1475

Created as part of his manuscript The Visions of Tondal,Simon Marmion paints this unique image in 1475.

Primavera

Jan 1, 1482

c. 1482 by Sandro Botticelli Much like his later works "The Birth of Venus" and "The Calumny of Apelles", this painting's subjects are none other than Greek gods. Venus is in the center of the portrait.

The Birth of Venus

Jan 1, 1485

1485 by Sandro Botticelli This portrait depicts the birth of the goddess Venus. As she emerges from the sea shell, the wind god Zephyr and the goddess of the breeze, Aura, blow Venus safetly from the sea to the shore. Birth of Venus is one of the first female nudes that does not emerge from the Bible.

Adoration of the Magi

Jan 1, 1488

Though there are many versions of paintings and artwork that portray the three Magi visiting baby Jesus, this particular painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio is interesting because it is believed that this is also a self portrait of the artist himself.

The Torment of St. Anthony

Dec 4, 1488

Believed to be one of the earliest works of Michelangelo, it is a copy of the engraving of Martin Schongauer (c. 1470-75) completed when he was only 12-13 years of age. The range of time for it's completion is believed to have been c. 1487–1488

The Vitruvian Man

Jan 1, 1490

A drawing by Leonardo di Vinci created in pen and ink on paper. This well known work is sometimes referred to as the Canon of Proportions or, less often, Proportions of Man.

Portrait of a Woman

Dec 4, 1490

ca. 1490–1500 by Lorenzo di Credi This style is oil on a panel and is said to be the portrait of either the artist's widowed sister in law or a beneficiary in the artist's will, though neither is confirmed. Note the unique pose she is taking in the portrait and that she is holding a golden ring. Artists were perfecting portraits around this time.

Christ in Limbo

Jan 1, 1491

c. 1491 by Benvenuto di Giovanni

The Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci

Jan 1, 1495

As one of da Vinci's most iconic works, this celebrated oil painting's location is inspired by the very real refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Jesus and his disciples are portrayed sitting beyond the prior's table as a timeless story unfolds - that of the last supper Jesus partook in with his discipls before his crucifixtion.

Calumny of Apelles

Jan 1, 1495

1495-1496 by Sandro Botticelli
He created this work, inspired by Apelles who fought against slander. In this paneled depiction naked Truth defends the young man against the personifications of Calumny, Malice, Fraud Envy and Remorse

Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma

Dec 4, 1496

The artist, Sesshū Tōyō was a samurai as well as an artist who mastered the usage of ink and wash painting

Michelangelo's Pieta

Jan 1, 1499

Housed in Italy's Vatican City, it is a famous Renaisance marble sculpture completed in the last year of the 15th Century