Art & Culture

The Most Famous Paintings Of The Renaissance

Laura Lee
Apr 08, 2023

The Renaissance was a period of enlightenment for the European continent as it transitioned out of the dark middle ages towards progress and unprecedented change in society. The Renaissance was a massive step towards modernity in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was characterized by a revival of wisdom, progressive art, literature, and politics. Renaissance art was a significant way of expressing man’s elevated societal position, providing a platform to express his newfound individuality. This turning point in European history saw the rise of some of the most glorious pieces of art ever produced that still attract millions of art enthusiasts even today.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is showcased in the Louvre in Paris and has been a topic of art discourse for many years. It is an oil painting on wood created between 1503 and 1519 and was briefly displayed in Napoleon’s bedroom before reaching the Louvre. A distinctive feature of the painting is that Mona Lisa’s eyes seem to follow you from whichever angle you view the painting.

Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored. The Last Supper is a late 15th-century mural painting by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci.

Getty Images / Moment / mikroman6

Another of Da Vinci’s masterpieces is The Last Supper, considered his best work by many critics. Created in 1498, The Last Supper is revered for its unique color pallet and lighting. Displayed in the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan, the painting features Jesus with his twelve disciples at the last supper. The figure present on the right side of Jesus is rumored to be Mary Magdalene.

The Primavera, an Italian painting named after spring, is a work of the talented painter Sandro Botticelli. Also called the “Allegory of Spring,” this painting is thought to be created around 1482. This piece of art features nine mythological figures surrounded by blooming plants, a nod to spring. It has various interpretations, which are often debated, but there is consensus on the fact that themes of fertility, sexuality, and marriage are depicted in the controversial painting.