Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Renaissance was a period in European history (14th to 17th century) marked by a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. It brought significant advancements in art, architecture, literature, science, philosophy, and exploration.
Related terms
Humanism: Humanism was an intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized human potential for achievement through education and rational thinking.
Perspective: Perspective refers to creating an illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface by using techniques such as vanishing points and foreshortening. It was a significant development in Renaissance art.
Chiaroscuro: Chiaroscuro is an Italian term meaning "light-dark." It refers to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark areas in a painting to create a sense of volume, depth, and dramatic effect.