Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
was one of the most influential figures of the Renaissance—a true polymath whose contributions spanned art, science, engineering, anatomy, and invention. Born in Vinci, Italy, he trained as an artist in Florence under Andrea del Verrocchio, but his genius quickly surpassed that of his teacher. Leonardo is best known for iconic works like Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, which demonstrate his mastery of perspective, emotion, and subtle gradations of light and shadow (sfumato). His notebooks, filled with detailed anatomical studies, flying machine designs, and scientific observations, reveal a restless intellect driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the natural world.
In art, Leonardo pursued realism and harmony, elevating painting to a new level of psychological depth and technical sophistication. He often left works unfinished, not out of neglect, but because of his constant experimentation and perfectionism. Though he completed relatively few paintings, the ones that survive are among the most studied and revered in history. His approach to observation and empirical study helped lay the foundation for both modern science and the human-centered focus of Renaissance art. Leonardo da Vinci remains a symbol of creative genius and interdisciplinary thinking.
Leonardo Da Vinci -Mona Lisa- 1503-1506
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564)
was one of the towering figures of the Italian Renaissance—a master sculptor, painter, architect, and poet whose works defined the era’s artistic ideals. Born in Caprese, Italy, and raised in Florence, Michelangelo showed extraordinary talent from a young age. His sculpture David is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, celebrated for its anatomical precision, powerful expression, and symbol of Florentine civic pride. Perhaps his most famous achievement is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, where he depicted scenes from Genesis in a sweeping, emotionally intense composition that redefined the possibilities of fresco painting.
Michelangelo’s work is known for its dramatic realism, muscular forms, and deep spiritual intensity. His Pietà, sculpted when he was only in his early twenties, captures the sorrow of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ with stunning delicacy and grace. Later in life, he also became a prominent architect, designing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the crowning achievements of Renaissance architecture. Michelangelo's relentless pursuit of perfection, his deep understanding of human anatomy, and his profound religious faith combined to produce art that remains deeply moving and technically unmatched even today.
Raphael-Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione
Date Completed Around 1514-1515
Raphael
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, 1483–1520)
was one of the most celebrated artists of the High Renaissance, renowned for his graceful compositions, clarity of form, and harmonious balance. Born in Urbino, Italy, Raphael was trained by his father and later studied under Pietro Perugino, absorbing a refined style that he would develop into something uniquely his own. He became famous in Florence for his Madonna paintings, such as The Sistine Madonna and Madonna of the Goldfinch, which combined human tenderness with divine elegance. His use of soft color, realistic figures, and spatial coherence made his works both approachable and idealized.
Raphael’s greatest achievement came during his time in Rome, where Pope Julius II commissioned him to paint the Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms) in the Vatican. Among these, The School of Athens stands out as a masterpiece of Renaissance humanism, depicting ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in a grand architectural setting that celebrates reason, knowledge, and classical learning. Raphael's ability to integrate architecture, figures, and narrative into unified, balanced compositions set a standard for Western art. Though he died young at 37, Raphael left behind a legacy of serenity and perfection that continues to influence artists centuries later.
Raphael-Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione
Date Completed Around 1514-1515
