The Renaissance has brought many outstanding artists to the world. Especially famous were the Italian masters - Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Santi.
"The Birth of Venus" - an outstanding painting by Botticelli
This painting was painted in the 1480s. Most likely, the artist painted a painting to order, for the villa of a wealthy nobleman Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco Medici. Botticelli was inspired by the ancient myth of the goddess of love - Venus. According to him, the goddess was born in the depths of the ocean from sea foam, and then was brought to the island of Cyprus by a favorable wind. There she was surrounded by nymphs and graces. The pose of Venus and the framing of the picture were painted in ancient traditions, Botticelli strictly followed the ancient canons.
"Creation of Adam" - a masterpiece of the Renaissance
This fresco, by Michelangelo Buonarotti, is part of an extensive painting on the vault of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The painting was completed in 1511. The fresco embodies a biblical story from the Old Testament, telling about the creation of man. In the center of the entire canvas are the almost touching hands of God and Adam. This gesture symbolizes the receipt of a soul by a person, the awakening of his craving for knowledge and creativity. The fresco "Creation of Adam" is included in the 9 central images of the chapel ceiling.
The painting on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel became the most extensive work of Michelangelo, he did it for 4 years almost alone.
"Mona Lisa" is one of the most famous works in the world
The legendary painting by Leonardo da Vinci was created at the very beginning of the 16th century. The canvas gave rise to many legends and versions about its creation. According to the officially accepted version, the painting depicts Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy merchant. However, some researchers believe that da Vinci depicted here his mother or even himself in a female form. Art critics note the unusually harmonious composition of the portrait and its naturalness, which was not characteristic of the art of that time.
"Sistine Madonna" - the best work of Raphael
According to the most popular version, the painting was painted in 1512-1513. The work was intended to decorate the altar of the Church of St. Sixtus at the monastery of the same name. The painting depicts the Virgin and Child surrounded by Pope Sixtus II and Saint Barbara. The canvas is written in accordance with the geometric laws of composition, and the figures are sculptural. The two angels depicted at the bottom of the picture have become an independent attribute of many postcards, albums, advertising posters, etc.
Unlike other Renaissance masters, Raphael used in his work, not the Board, and canvas.
"Venus of Urbinskaya" - Titian's ideal of beauty
One of the most famous works of Titian Vecellio was written in 1538. According to one version, it depicts the bride of the Duke of Urbino, according to the other - his mother, according to the third - the mistress of Titian himself. In the image of a young naked woman lying at ease on the bed, the artist expressed the ideal of Renaissance beauty. Venus has blonde wavy hair, delicate facial features, small breasts and a rounded belly - this is how the ideal beauty of the 16th century should have looked.
