Important Events in the Renaissance from 1400-1500
1401: Ghiberti gets the right to sculpt the Northern Doors of the Baptistry
This event is extremely important because it demonstrates the newly born Renaissance form of sculpting. In the 28 years it took Ghiberti to sculpt these doors, he incorporated many new techniques developed by artists such as Michelangelo. The doors of the Florence Baptistery are still in Italy today, and are still one of the most valued treasures in Europe.
This event is extremely important because it demonstrates the newly born Renaissance form of sculpting. In the 28 years it took Ghiberti to sculpt these doors, he incorporated many new techniques developed by artists such as Michelangelo. The doors of the Florence Baptistery are still in Italy today, and are still one of the most valued treasures in Europe.
1419: Architect Brunelleschi designs the dome of the Florence Cathedral.
Brunelleschi's work in designing the dome of the Cathedral was an example of the genius that was arising from this period in time. There was much speculation as to how the dome would encompass the 140 foot octagonal barrel already built to support it. However, after many years of research and study of old Greek and Roman texts, he designed a dome that still stands today.
Brunelleschi's work in designing the dome of the Cathedral was an example of the genius that was arising from this period in time. There was much speculation as to how the dome would encompass the 140 foot octagonal barrel already built to support it. However, after many years of research and study of old Greek and Roman texts, he designed a dome that still stands today.
1420: The Papacy comes home to Rome
The papacy, or the office of the pope, had been located in Avignon since 1305. In 1420, it moved back to Rome, its home city, at the order of the pope of the time, Pope Martin V. This event was important because it gave the city enough money and prestige to rebuild, prosper and thrive in the Renaissance
The papacy, or the office of the pope, had been located in Avignon since 1305. In 1420, it moved back to Rome, its home city, at the order of the pope of the time, Pope Martin V. This event was important because it gave the city enough money and prestige to rebuild, prosper and thrive in the Renaissance
1434: The Medici family becomes head of the city state of Florence
The son of Giovanni de Medici, mentioned in the previous page, Cosimo de Medici, became leader or, Gran Maestro of the city state of Florence. This event was very important because it increased his wealth, giving him more money to spend on patronage of the arts. Patronage was where wealthy people would give artists money to make their art, so that they could paint, draw, sculpt, or deign, without having to worry about the cost. Most of the burst of creativity and art in the beginning of the Renaissance is due to the Medici family.
The son of Giovanni de Medici, mentioned in the previous page, Cosimo de Medici, became leader or, Gran Maestro of the city state of Florence. This event was very important because it increased his wealth, giving him more money to spend on patronage of the arts. Patronage was where wealthy people would give artists money to make their art, so that they could paint, draw, sculpt, or deign, without having to worry about the cost. Most of the burst of creativity and art in the beginning of the Renaissance is due to the Medici family.
1450: Johann Gutenburg invents the printing press.
This event is important because it helped ideas spread faster then was ever possible before. It published 200 copies of the Bible in a short time, while an original hand written Bible transcribed by the priest, could take up to a year to produce, and were extremely pricey. The printing press also helped spread the idea of the reformation later on in the Renaissance. The printing press also allowed books to be owned by the middle class, while books had been previously a luxury only for the high social classes.
This event is important because it helped ideas spread faster then was ever possible before. It published 200 copies of the Bible in a short time, while an original hand written Bible transcribed by the priest, could take up to a year to produce, and were extremely pricey. The printing press also helped spread the idea of the reformation later on in the Renaissance. The printing press also allowed books to be owned by the middle class, while books had been previously a luxury only for the high social classes.
1453: The Ottoman Empire captures Constantinople
This event marks the downfall of the Byzantine Empire which was a mostly Greek speaking continuation of the Roman Empire. It has importance because, when the Greek and their culture were pushed out of their city, they went out to Italian city-states. They began to spread their culture there, which influenced the Italian culture too.
This event marks the downfall of the Byzantine Empire which was a mostly Greek speaking continuation of the Roman Empire. It has importance because, when the Greek and their culture were pushed out of their city, they went out to Italian city-states. They began to spread their culture there, which influenced the Italian culture too.
1492: Christopher Columbus discovers the Americas
On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus came upon a land which he thought to be India. In truth, he had landed in the new land of the Americas. This was important because it began the exploration in the Americas, which soon became home to many European families. It also made people more interested in looking for new lands.
On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus came upon a land which he thought to be India. In truth, he had landed in the new land of the Americas. This was important because it began the exploration in the Americas, which soon became home to many European families. It also made people more interested in looking for new lands.
1498: Leonardo da Vinci completes his painting The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest men in the Renaissance. He was a painter, a scientist, and also an inventor. The Last Supper depicts Jesus Christ having his last dinner with his disciples. This is important because he uses many new Renaissance techniques, such as painting people as the really were (a technique first used by Giotto, who was mentioned earlier).
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest men in the Renaissance. He was a painter, a scientist, and also an inventor. The Last Supper depicts Jesus Christ having his last dinner with his disciples. This is important because he uses many new Renaissance techniques, such as painting people as the really were (a technique first used by Giotto, who was mentioned earlier).