Renaissance Art

A mathematical system for creating the illusion of three-dimensional depth on a flat surface by making parallel lines converge toward a single vanishing point on the horizon line. Formalized by Filippo Brunelleschi around 1415 and codified by Leon Battista Alberti in his treatise 'De Pictura' (1435).

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to model three-dimensional forms and create a dramatic sense of volume and atmosphere in a painting or drawing.

A painting technique in which colors and tones are blended so subtly that there are no perceptible transitions or harsh outlines, producing a soft, smoky effect. The term derives from the Italian word for 'smoke.'

An intellectual movement central to the Renaissance that emphasized the study of classical Greek and Roman texts, the dignity and potential of the individual, and the value of secular knowledge alongside religious faith.

A sculptural and pictorial pose in which the human figure stands with most of its weight on one leg, causing the shoulders and hips to tilt in opposite directions. Revived from ancient Greek sculpture during the Renaissance.

The financial and social support provided by wealthy individuals, families, the Church, or civic institutions to artists and architects, which was the primary economic engine for Renaissance art production.

A mural painting technique in which pigment is applied to freshly laid wet plaster ('buon fresco'), causing the colors to become part of the wall surface as the plaster dries, resulting in exceptional durability.

A technique using pigments bound in drying oil (typically linseed oil) that allows for rich color, subtle blending, fine detail, and slow drying time. Perfected by Netherlandish painters in the 15th century and adopted throughout Europe.

An Italian term meaning both 'drawing' and 'design,' referring to the intellectual conception and compositional planning underlying a work of art. In Renaissance art theory, disegno was considered the foundation of all visual arts.

A style that emerged in the Late Renaissance (c. 1520-1600), characterized by elongated proportions, unusual spatial compositions, vivid and sometimes discordant colors, and a deliberate departure from the balanced harmony of the High Renaissance.