"Renaissance Men"

The 4 Most Important Renaissance Artists

1. Leonardo da Vinci

Born April 15th, 1452, died May 2nd, 1519 (age 67)

Leonardo da Vinci is probably the best-known Renaissance artist, famous for his masterworks The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. The classic “renaissance man,” da Vinci was not only an artist but also an inventor, scientist, architect, engineer, and more. His innovative techniques included layering of paints, precise attention to light, shadow, and human form, and a detailed eye for expression and gesture — the last of which has led to endless speculation over the impassive face of the Mona Lisa. His famous sketch known as The Vitruvian Man is shown to the right.

2. Michelangelo

Born March 6th, 1475, died February 18th, 1564 (age 88)

One of da Vinci’s contemporaries and perhaps his challenger for the title of greatest Renaissance artist was Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. Born 13 years after da Vinci, Michelangelo followed in his footsteps as a Renaissance man. He was an accomplished artist, poet, architect, and engineer. His best-known work is probably the sculpture David, which was completed in the opening years of the 16th century. The nearly 15-foot David depicts the biblical figure of David in white marble from the quarry at Miseglia. Other famous works by Michelangelo include the statue Pietà and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

3. Raphael

Born spring 1483, died April 6th, 1520 (age 37)

Alongside da Vinci and Michelangelo, Raphael is known as the third of the great master artists of Renaissance Italy. He was born in 1483, and his works were extremely influential even during his lifetime. He only lived to the age of 37, but during his short life, he produced a huge number of works including paintings, frescoes, prints, and more. One of his most famous works is The School of Athens, shown at the top of this article. It is a classic example of Renaissance art and culture in general, as the culture of the period frequently referenced Roman and Greek antiquity.

4. Donatello

Born c. 1386, died December 13th, 1466 (approx. age 80)

Born in Florence, Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, or Donatello, hailed from the period now known as the early Renaissance and preceded the others mentioned here. Donatello worked mainly as a sculptor, and the realism he was able to create marked a stark break from the stiff, un-lifelike statuary common in the Middle Ages. One of his most famous works depicts Saint Mark (shown here) and was completed in 1413 for a church in Florence where it can still be viewed today. According to legend, Donatello modified the proportions of the statue, making the head and shoulders larger to compensate for its final elevated position. When the statue was first revealed (at ground level), Donatello’s employers protested and the sculptor agreed to make adjustments. Then, the legend goes, he waited 15 days without making any modifications (during which time the statue was raised to its final position). His employers were satisfied: the proportions looked right.

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