10 Most Famous Paintings of The Renaissance

Artist: Sandro Botticelli (original name: Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi)

Completed in: 1482

Primavera means spring in Italian. This painting is also known as the 'Allegory of Spring'. 

It is one of the prime examples of Renaissance art. There are various interpretations of this painting. Some say it is a mythical allegory while some say it is about the change of season into spring. This painting is popular because of the use of colour and the different explanations attached to it. Primavera is believed to be the most controversial painting in the world.

Artist: Michelangelo Buonarroti

Created in: 1512 

The creation of Adam is the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Even though this is one of the most replicated paintings of all time, it is only second in popularity to Mona Lisa. The painting has become a symbol of humanity as the image depicts the hand of both God and Adam on the verge of touching.

Artist: Leonardo Da Vinci

Completed in: 1498

The image shows Jesus with his disciples for his last supper. The painting is noted for its clever use of colour, light, and anatomy. The painting is also a subject of many discussions and conjectures. Many have proposed that the disciple sitting to the right of Jesus is Mary Magdalene and many have also wondered the significance or meaning of the V shape between Jesus and the person on the right.

Artist: Raphael

Completed in: 1511

This painting stands one among the four main frescos on the walls of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The four frescos symbolize Philosophy, Poetry, Theology, and Law. 

This painting symbolizes philosophy and is a representation of the finest period of Greek Philosophy as one can find Aristotle and Plato in the centre of the painting. 

This painting has perfectly captured the classical spirit of the Renaissance.

Artist: Giotto di Bondone

Completed in: 1306

Located in: The Scrovegni Chapel

This painting depicts the moment of betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot who identifies Jesus to the Roman soldiers by kissing him. 

Many critics believe that Giotto is a genius and no artist has been able to surpass his work. His mastery is evident in the way he captured the expression of Jesus and Judas at that scene of betrayal. 

Artist: Michelangelo Buonarrot

Completed in: 1541 

Located in: Sistine Chapel in Vatican City

The painting is about the second coming of Jesus, the day when God shall judge all humanity. Jesus is painted in the center surrounded by saints. The top portion of the painting shows the resurrection of the dead to heaven and the bottom portion shows the descent of sinners into hell. 

The use of colors and excellent brushwork make this painting of the most revered painting in the world

Artist: Raffaello Sanzio

Completed in: 1512 

Located in: Emäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden

The painting shows Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her hands with Saint Barbara and Saint Sixtus on both her sides and two cherubs beneath her. 

This is one of the most famous works of Raphael and an important painting of the Renaissance.

Artist: Tiziano Vecellio

Completed in: 1518 

Located in: Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

This painting was done by the artist in his early years and he has used vivid colors in this painting. Assumption of the Virgin is a painting about the rise of Mother Mary into heaven. Mother Mary is painted in a red dress who is raised to heaven to where God is gazing down in Mary while apostles bid her farewell from the ground.

Artist: Sandro Botticelli

Completed in: 1485 

The painting shows Goddess Venus arriving on the island of Cyprus. She is depicted as a pure and mature woman standing on a seashell. Botticelli had given much attention to every detail of Venus. This painting was done in a period where nudity was a subject in paintings and thus makes this one an important painting of the Renaissance.