First in a new series looking at Renaissance painting from Italy, centred on Florence, shows some of the masterpieces of the ‘gap’ before the Gothic.
renaissance
An architect, a sculptor and painter, and a young painter. Add a Pope who wants to be remembered, and this is what happens.
Telling a more complex story such as the Passion is more demanding. This traces how it broke out of frames, ultimately into Tintoretto’s masterpiece.
Four masterly paintings telling stories. Painted by 3 different hands, each works in 4 dimensions thanks to narrative devices, as explained here.
Bridging between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, he was a master who helped shape our whole visual culture.
He painted a succession of fine works after his return from Venice, including superb portraits, Christ at the Column, and finally Saint Sebastian.
One of the most important works of art in Europe, it was started by Hubert van Eyck, but completed by his younger brother Jan. Here’s its story.
His time in Venice brought a succession of masterpieces, including the large San Cassiano altarpiece, a Salvator Mundi, and Virgin Annunciate which were highly influential.
Vasari claimed that he was trained by Jan van Eyck, but he probably learnt under an Italian artist in Milan before becoming the first Master in oils.
Born near Florence in 1452, the Renaissance Man and polymath died 500 years ago when retired in France. A summary of his great artistic achievements.
