31.01.2025
Four famous artists of the Renaissance and their works

The Renaissance is known for themes such as humanism and enlightenment. The French word “Renaissance” means “rebirth”. This means the rebirth of ancient values. People whose lives were shaped by the Christian religion should no longer allow their lives to be determined by it, but should start to question things and make new inventions. The Renaissance artist changed many things: portraits, sculptures, mosaics, and paintings gained in detail and feeling. As in ancient times, emphasis was again placed on portraying people and their surroundings as realistically as possible. The most important Renaissance artists and their most famous works are briefly presented here.

Renaissance artist: Leonardo da Vinci (*1452, +1519)

Renaissance Artist: Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo was an Italian artist, sculptor and architect. His revolutionary inventions, such as the first functional parachute, are unforgettable. His work includes sketches of his inventions, self-portraits and paintings. Two paintings are still considered milestones for the Renaissance era: Mona Lisa and the Last Supper.

Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa

The woman with the iconic smile is on display in the “Musee du Louvre” in Paris and, not least of all, she attracts millions of visitors to the museum every year. The painting is not only a milestone in art history and Renaissance art, but is considered the “most famous painting in the world”.

There are different opinions as to why the painting is so famous. Some believe it has something to do with the history of the painting, which once hung in King Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles. Others say that the smile of the Mona Lisa radiates a unique aesthetic.

But who is the woman in the painting? There are various assumptions about this. Da Vinci was commissioned to paint the portrait by Francesco del Giocondo. His wife Lisa is said to have been the model. It could also be the wife of Giuliano di Lorenzo de’ Medici, a famous Florentine politician.

The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci: das letzte Abendmahl

The mural shows the biblical epic, according to which Jesus said at the last meeting with his disciples that there was a traitor among them. Jesus is placed in the center of the picture, whose calm and composed manner stands out from the disciples who sit to the left and right of Jesus with shocked expressions.

In total, da Vinci worked on the mural from 1494 to 1498. It is still in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti (*1475, +1564)

Renaissance artist: Michelangelo Buonarotti

Like da Vinci, the Italian painter and sculptor Michelangelo is known for his large number of works of art. Many of them, which still exist today, perfectly demonstrate what the Renaissance stood for: a return to antiquity. Through his sculptures and statues in Italian churches and museums, Michelangelo is considered one of the most famous artists of his time.

David

Renaissance sculpture, Michelangelo Buonarotti, David

The Florentine marble sculpture, which is now in the Galleria Dell’Accademia, represents one of the greatest milestones in Michelangelo’s career. It shows the biblical David holding a stone in his hand with which he defeats the giant Goliath. In terms of style, David is more reminiscent of statues from ancient Greece or Rome: Here the Renaissance artist shows the rebirth of antiquity in perfection. The sculpture was commissioned by the Florentine Cathedral and Michelangelo worked on it for almost three years, from 1501 to 1504. It is 5.17 centimeters high.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome houses some of the most outstanding works of art of the Renaissance. These include the Creation of Adam, the Flood and the Sacrifice of Noah. These and many other paintings with motifs from the biblical book of Genesis have decorated around 520 square meters of St. Peter’s Basilica since 1512. All painted by Michelangelo within four years. Johann Wolfgang von Göthe praised the paintings: “Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, one cannot get a visual idea of ​​what a human being is capable of.”

Artist of the Renaissance in Florence: Tiziano Vecellio (+1576)

Künstler der Renaissance, Tiziano Vecellio
The Venetian artist Titian contributed greatly to the renewal of the art standard in the Renaissance.

Pietà
Künstler der Renaissance, Tizian: Pieta

The 389cm by 351cm oil painting, which is on display in the Galleria Dell Accademia in Florence, was never completed. It shows Mary holding her son Jesus in her arms after the crucifixion. Titian worked on the painting shortly before his death.

Emperor Charles V after the Battle of Mühlberg

Tizian: Kaiser Karl V. nach der Schlacht bei Mühlberg

In the oil painting from 1548, Emperor Charles V is depicted as a mighty general sitting on a horse. Darker colors were used to bring out the emperor’s shining armor and to emphasize his imposing appearance. There are no signs of war or battle in the background. Only the emperor, his horse and the sunset can be seen.

German Renaissance artist: Albrecht Dürer (*1471, +1528)

Albrecht Dürer was a rather unusual artist in his time with a unique style. Dürer learned to paint and draw at a young age, and at the age of 13 he drew a self-portrait. He used a silver pen to draw. Drawing with a silver pen is a less common technique. That’s why Dürer’s drawings stand out. A silver pen has a very thin lead that must be used with a lot of feeling.

The Praying Hands

Künstler der Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer: Die betenden Hände

The Praying Hands were drawn by Dürer in 1508 and were a symbol of piety and faith. It is a simple drawing with hatching techniques for the contours. Although one of Dürer’s smaller projects, it is used as a template for all kinds of things. This ranges from clothing designs to posters or jewelry.

Self-portrait in a fur coat

Künstler der Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer: Selbstbildnis im Pelzrock

This oil painting on wood is probably the most famous work by Albrecht Dürer. It is a self-portrait from 1500 and shows the artist in a fur coat on a very dark, almost black background. He holds it closed in front of his chest with one hand. To the left and right of his head are his initials and the words: ,,Albertus Durerus Noricus / ipsum me propriis sic effin / gebam coloribus aetatis / anno XXVIII‘‘, which translated from Latin means: ‘Thus I, Albrecht Dürer from Nuremberg, created myself with corresponding colors at the age of 28‘‘

 

Author: Harry Georgopoulos