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Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian painter, engineer, architect, and intellect. His studies of optics, anatomy, and architecture allowed him to create works that had three dimensional realism. Across his artworks, he developed and refined techniques such as sfumato, chiaroscuro, atmospheric perspective, and spolvero. Leonardo's focus on light, shadow, perspective, and composition parallel his studies in science. He created one of the most famous artworks in the world: the Mona Lisa.
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Michelangelo was a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet whose work reflected the ideals of the High Renaissance. Rooted in the era’s fascination with humanism and the study of the human body, his anatomical studies allowed him to create figures with physical realism and emotion. Across his sculptures and frescoes, he emphasized dynamic movement, expressive form, and the heroic potential of the human figure, reflecting the period’s belief in human capability.
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The High Renaissance was a period marked by the creation of iconic works of art. Artists produced works informed by an advanced understanding of science, anatomy, and architecture. During this time, a cultural movement toward humanism arose. Departing from the religious iconography characteristic of Medieval art, artworks began to convey humanity’s place in the universe through emotion and expression. Techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato were used to create works with dimension and depth.
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The Mona Lisa represents a shift in focus toward the individual’s inner life. It reflects the era’s interest in humanism, scientific observation, and the study of individual identity. Painted during a time when artists were exploring anatomy, psychology, and naturalistic representation, Leonardo infused the portrait with atmospheric depth and realism.
Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa. c. 1503-1519. Oil paint and panel. Musée du Louvre, Paris, https://smarthistory.org/leonardo-mona-lisa/ -
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