Italian Renaissance Masterworks

The Renaissance of the 14th–16th centuries was, and forever will be, one of the most pivotal periods in the development of Western art. Its roots spread wide and deep, and much social and intellectual revitalization had begun before this revered time, but the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman texts and the development of expanding trade, which brought greater wealth, meant that classical and humanist thought combined with lavish patronage resulted in major breakthroughs across all spheres of human endeavour – art, architecture, music, literature, science, philosophy and more. And, while it spread across Europe, it was Italy that was to be its crucible.