The Renaissance

The Renaissance (c. 1350–1600) was a period of cultural, artistic, political, and economic rebirth following the Middle Ages. Originating in Florence, Italy, it spread across Europe and marked the transition from medieval to modern times. Key figures include Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa, The Last Supper), Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel, David), Raphael, Machiavelli (The Prince), and Galileo. The Renaissance revived interest in classical Greek and Roman culture, developed linear perspective in art, promoted humanism, and saw the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg (c. 1440), which revolutionized the spread of knowledge.