Art History Study Guide – Visual, Simplified, and Ready to Study
Northern Renaissance (1400s–1500s)
Main Idea: Focus on detailed realism, oil painting, religious and domestic themes.
Limbourg Brothers – Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry: January 1411–1416 -
Miniature book illustration showing the months of the year. - Very detailed, bright colors,
daily life scene. - Northern Renaissance: intricate detail and realism.
Robert Campin – Annunciation Triptych - Angel tells Mary she will have Jesus. - Rich
colors, realistic interiors, tiny details. - Northern Renaissance: attention to objects,
symbolism.
Jan van Eyck – Double Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife 1434 - Wedding
portrait. - Detailed textures, mirror reflection, symbolism. - Northern Renaissance: oil
technique, realism.
Rogier van der Weyden – Deposition c.1436 - Christ taken down from cross. - Emotional
expressions, detailed drapery. - Northern Renaissance: human emotion and realism.
Petrus Christus – A Goldsmith in His Shop 1449 - Goldsmith at work, client watching. -
Realistic objects, perspective in interior. - Northern Renaissance: everyday life, precision.
Italian Renaissance – Northern Italy (1300s–1400s)
Main Idea: Early Italian Renaissance; focus on perspective, linear design, early
naturalism.
Andrea Pisano – Florence Baptistery Bronze Door c.1290–1349 - Biblical scenes in
panels. - Early perspective, bronze relief. - Italian Renaissance: narrative, architectural
detail.
Filippo Brunelleschi – Sacrifice of Isaac 1401–1402 - Panel showing Abraham and Isaac.
- Dramatic poses, perspective experiment. - Italian Renaissance: classical inspiration,
proportion.
Lorenzo Ghiberti – Baptistery North Doors: Sacrifice of Isaac 1401 - Winner of
competition. - Graceful figures, intricate design. - Italian Renaissance: elegant
composition.
Masaccio – Holy Trinity, Santa Maria Novella 1427–1428 - Fresco showing Trinity. - Linear
perspective, realistic depth. - Italian Renaissance: early mastery of perspective.
, Masaccio – The Tribute Money 1427 - Christ and tax collectors. - Realistic figures,
continuous narrative. - Italian Renaissance: perspective, storytelling.
Fra Angelico – The Annunciation 1440–1445 - Angel visits Mary. - Soft colors, serene,
linear perspective. - Italian Renaissance: spiritual beauty, clarity.
Donatello – David (Bronze) 1430–1432 - Young David after victory. - Contrapposto pose,
realistic anatomy. - Italian Renaissance: humanism and classical influence.
Andrea del Verrocchio – David (Bronze) 1465 - More mature figure. - Strong stance,
realistic details. - Italian Renaissance: humanist ideals.
Sandro Botticelli – Birth of Venus 1486 - Venus emerging from sea. - Flowing lines,
idealized beauty. - Italian Renaissance: mythological subject, elegance.
Giovanni Bellini – San Giobbe Altarpiece 1487 - Madonna and saints. - Soft color,
balanced composition. - Italian Renaissance: calm religious scene, light mastery.
High Italian Renaissance (1500s)
Main Idea: Balance, harmony, anatomy, naturalism, emotional subtlety.
Leonardo da Vinci – Madonna of the Rocks 1503–1506 - Madonna, Jesus, John, angel. -
Chiaroscuro, mysterious background. - High Italian Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa 1503–1506 - Portrait of Lisa Gherardini. - Sfumato, realistic
background, mysterious smile. - High Italian Renaissance.
Raphael – Madonna Seated with Child 1505 - Calm mother and child. - Balanced
composition, serene. - High Italian Renaissance.
Michelangelo – David 1501–1504 - Biblical hero before battle. - Contrapposto pose,
detailed muscles. - High Italian Renaissance.
Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Creation of Adam 1508–1512 - God gives life to
Adam. - Dynamic figures, dramatic foreshortening. - High Italian Renaissance.
Titian – Venus of Urbino 1538 - Reclining nude Venus. - Rich color, sensual. - High Italian
Renaissance.
Parmigianino – Madonna with the Long Neck 1534–1540 - Elongated Madonna. - Elegant,
unusual proportions. - Early Mannerism.
Bronzino – Allegory with Venus and Cupid c.1550 - Mythological, complex symbolism. -
Cool colors, elongated figures. - Mannerist tendencies.
Northern Renaissance (1400s–1500s)
Main Idea: Focus on detailed realism, oil painting, religious and domestic themes.
Limbourg Brothers – Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry: January 1411–1416 -
Miniature book illustration showing the months of the year. - Very detailed, bright colors,
daily life scene. - Northern Renaissance: intricate detail and realism.
Robert Campin – Annunciation Triptych - Angel tells Mary she will have Jesus. - Rich
colors, realistic interiors, tiny details. - Northern Renaissance: attention to objects,
symbolism.
Jan van Eyck – Double Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife 1434 - Wedding
portrait. - Detailed textures, mirror reflection, symbolism. - Northern Renaissance: oil
technique, realism.
Rogier van der Weyden – Deposition c.1436 - Christ taken down from cross. - Emotional
expressions, detailed drapery. - Northern Renaissance: human emotion and realism.
Petrus Christus – A Goldsmith in His Shop 1449 - Goldsmith at work, client watching. -
Realistic objects, perspective in interior. - Northern Renaissance: everyday life, precision.
Italian Renaissance – Northern Italy (1300s–1400s)
Main Idea: Early Italian Renaissance; focus on perspective, linear design, early
naturalism.
Andrea Pisano – Florence Baptistery Bronze Door c.1290–1349 - Biblical scenes in
panels. - Early perspective, bronze relief. - Italian Renaissance: narrative, architectural
detail.
Filippo Brunelleschi – Sacrifice of Isaac 1401–1402 - Panel showing Abraham and Isaac.
- Dramatic poses, perspective experiment. - Italian Renaissance: classical inspiration,
proportion.
Lorenzo Ghiberti – Baptistery North Doors: Sacrifice of Isaac 1401 - Winner of
competition. - Graceful figures, intricate design. - Italian Renaissance: elegant
composition.
Masaccio – Holy Trinity, Santa Maria Novella 1427–1428 - Fresco showing Trinity. - Linear
perspective, realistic depth. - Italian Renaissance: early mastery of perspective.
, Masaccio – The Tribute Money 1427 - Christ and tax collectors. - Realistic figures,
continuous narrative. - Italian Renaissance: perspective, storytelling.
Fra Angelico – The Annunciation 1440–1445 - Angel visits Mary. - Soft colors, serene,
linear perspective. - Italian Renaissance: spiritual beauty, clarity.
Donatello – David (Bronze) 1430–1432 - Young David after victory. - Contrapposto pose,
realistic anatomy. - Italian Renaissance: humanism and classical influence.
Andrea del Verrocchio – David (Bronze) 1465 - More mature figure. - Strong stance,
realistic details. - Italian Renaissance: humanist ideals.
Sandro Botticelli – Birth of Venus 1486 - Venus emerging from sea. - Flowing lines,
idealized beauty. - Italian Renaissance: mythological subject, elegance.
Giovanni Bellini – San Giobbe Altarpiece 1487 - Madonna and saints. - Soft color,
balanced composition. - Italian Renaissance: calm religious scene, light mastery.
High Italian Renaissance (1500s)
Main Idea: Balance, harmony, anatomy, naturalism, emotional subtlety.
Leonardo da Vinci – Madonna of the Rocks 1503–1506 - Madonna, Jesus, John, angel. -
Chiaroscuro, mysterious background. - High Italian Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa 1503–1506 - Portrait of Lisa Gherardini. - Sfumato, realistic
background, mysterious smile. - High Italian Renaissance.
Raphael – Madonna Seated with Child 1505 - Calm mother and child. - Balanced
composition, serene. - High Italian Renaissance.
Michelangelo – David 1501–1504 - Biblical hero before battle. - Contrapposto pose,
detailed muscles. - High Italian Renaissance.
Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel Ceiling: Creation of Adam 1508–1512 - God gives life to
Adam. - Dynamic figures, dramatic foreshortening. - High Italian Renaissance.
Titian – Venus of Urbino 1538 - Reclining nude Venus. - Rich color, sensual. - High Italian
Renaissance.
Parmigianino – Madonna with the Long Neck 1534–1540 - Elongated Madonna. - Elegant,
unusual proportions. - Early Mannerism.
Bronzino – Allegory with Venus and Cupid c.1550 - Mythological, complex symbolism. -
Cool colors, elongated figures. - Mannerist tendencies.
