Renaissance Art

March 1, 2025

Discover the Self-Taught Genius of Leonardo da Vinci

Although born out of wedlock—the son of a Florentine notary and his peasant mother—and sharing his childhood with 16 half-siblings from his parents' respective families, Leonardo da Vinci became one of history's most celebrated painters and engineers. One might assume that a man whose conceptual designs inspired inventions like the parachute, the machine gun, and the armored tank must have studied at a renowned academy or received advanced scientific training.

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December 14, 2024

Did Michelangelo Feature a Woman With Breast Cancer in the Sistine Chapel?

Even now, over 500 years after its completion, researchers are still unraveling the rich imagery throughout Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco. The latest discovery is one that beautifully merges medical science and art history by suggesting that Michaelangelo may have featured a woman with breast cancer in his iconic fresco. Eight art historians and medical experts meticulously analyzed Michelangelo’s depictions of breasts within the fresco, primarily relying upon iconodiagnosis.

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October 5, 2024

Exhibition Sheds Light on Leonardo da Vinci’s Perfume Passion

Experiencing the past through art is a common pastime. Millions of visitors flock to the world's top museums each year, observing paintings and sculptures that embody the experiences of their creators across time. A painting or sculpture is a visual medium, and Leonardo da Vinci excelled in this area. The Renaissance genius‘s visual masterpieces have awed and inspired for generations. However, few know that da Vinci was also a connoisseur of smell.

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August 13, 2024

Why Michelangelo’s ‘David’ Is an Icon of the Italian Renaissance

Michelangelo's defiant David statue has captivated the world for centuries. Considered one of art history's major masterpieces, the marble sculpture showcases both the artist's skill and the fine art focus that defines the Renaissance. Since its debut in the early 16th century, artists and art connoisseurs alike have admired the piece. Esteemed artist, writer, and historian Giorgio Vasari noted that “no other artwork is equal to it in any respect, with such just proportion, beauty and excellence did Michelangelo finish it.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.