Italian Renaissance Art - Prints at Imagekind

Italian Renaissance art is said to have its beginnings in Florence, Italy and refers to artwork produced from about the late 15th century until the early 16th century. Florence was the epicenter for new inventions in many areas, such as exploration, mathematics, music, geometry and art. New techniques were being developed by various artists, such as fascinating techniques to depict the human body more realistically and new ideas on perspective involving background and foreground.

One of the premier creators of Italian Renaissance art was Leonardo da Vinci, who was a Renaissance man in every sense of the word. He busied himself with not only his artwork, but also inventions within science, studies in human anatomy, an interest in architecture, and works of engineering. Because he broadened his mind with so many different subjects, many believe that da Vinci was able to incorporate these studies into his artwork, making well known pieces, such as the Mona Lisa. Like many of his contemporaries, da Vinci was detailed in his work with the human form, intent on realism, and also tended to create art based on religious themes. One of his most famous paintings, The Last Supper, now framed and kept safe within the walls of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, is proof that da Vinci was a master at lighting techniques and varying perspectives.

A piece of Italian Renaissance Art

Although there were many different and brilliant artists at work creating great Italian Renaissance art, most everyone still knows the name Michelangelo Buonarotti, the creator of one of the most prestigious examples of Renaissance sculpture in history, the David. Michelangelo seemed to have perfected the idea of the realistic human form, calling forth in his sculpture the radiant beauty of his subject and assuring that that beauty remains for all time. Michelangelo, being a true Renaissance man, was not only an accomplished sculptor, but was also a magnificent painter. His brilliantly colored and wonderfully textured frescoes gracing the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel are still seen by hordes of visitors every year.

Ideals such as renewal, free thinking, exploration, and challenge were key in the Renaissance art and Italian Renaissance art, whether it be during the Early period or the High period, holds some of the truest examples of all of these ideals. Prints of these beautiful pieces of art are being bought from online art galleries, such as Imagekind, every day.