The document summarizes key aspects of art during the Early Renaissance period in 15th-16th century Italy. It discusses Neoplatonic philosophical influences that viewed truth, goodness and beauty as existing in the divine mind. Mortals could glimpse these through learning, observation, creativity, scientific knowledge, good deeds, love, nature, and great works of art. It provides examples of major artists from the period like Masaccio, Gentile da Fabriano, Fra Angelico, Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Mantegna, and Signorelli. Their works explored new techniques like linear perspective to represent truth and depict religious subjects in a more

1. Italian RenaissanceEarly RenaissanceItaly15th and 16thCentury

3. “…the excellence of beauty of every work of art is due to the observance of measure.” PlatoNeo-platonic:The eternal absolutes of truth, goodness, beauty existed only the divine mind.Such absolutes are not wholly within human graspMortals, by learning, observation and creativity, could catch occasional glimpses of:Truth by pursuing scientific knowledgeGoodness through performing and observing good deeds through experience of love, first physical then spiritualBeauty through nature and experiencing great works of art.

4. Masaccio, Tribute Money, Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria Del Carmine, Florence, Italy, c 1424-1427

5. Massacio, Expulsion from Eden, Brancacci Chapel, 1427

6. Masaccio, Brancacci Chapel, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence Italy c. 1424-1427

7. Masaccio, Holy Trinity, Santa Maria Novell, Florence, Italy, c. 1424-1427

8. Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi, altarpiece from Strozzi Chapel, Santa Trinita, Florence, Italy, 1423

9. Fra Angelico, Annunciations, San Marco, Florence, Italy , c. 1450

10. Pierodella Francesco, Proving of the True Cross, 1460

11. Pierodella Francesco, Resurrection, 1460

12. Pierodella Francesca, Enthroned Madonna and Saints Adored by Federico da Montfeltro, 1460

13. Paolo Uccello, Battle of San Romano, c. 1455? From the bedchamber of Lorenzo de Medici, Florence, Italy

14. FraFilippo Lippi, Madonna and Child with Angels, c. 1455

15. Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, c. 1484-1486

16. Sandro Botticelli, Primavera, Florence, c. 1482.

17. Sandro Botticelli, Adoration of the Magi, 1480

18. Perugino, Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom To St. Peter, Sistine Chapel, Vatican, Rome, Italy, 1481-1483

19. Domenico Ghirlandaio, Birth of the Virgin, Cappella Maggiore, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy c. 1485-1490

20. Domenico Ghirlandaio, Giovanna Tornabuoni, 1488, oil on wood

21. Mantegna, Gonzaga Family, 1490

22. Mantegna, Dead Christ, c. 1500, PinacotecadiBrera, Milan

23. Signorelli, Damned Cast into Hell, San Brizio Chapel, Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto, Italy, 1499-1504

24. Adams, Laura Schneider. Art Across Time. “Early Renaissance.” McGraw Hill. New York. 2011. 4th Edition.Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages. “Italy 1400 to 1500.” Wadsworth CengageLearning. Boston. 2009, 13th Edition.