Renaissance Figures

Front

Fillipo Brunelleschi

Back

He built the dome (cathedral in Florence), came up with linear perspective, created amazing bronzes, and was named the 'father of architecture' even though he had no previous architectural experience.

Front

Thomas More

Back

Wrote 'Utopia', worked for the king of England, was sentenced to death for being unloyal to King Henry VIII, and was later made a saint.

Front

Dante Alighieri

Back

Wrote the 'Divine Comedy', including Paradiso, Inferno, and Pergatorio. One of the fathers of modern Italian. Exiled because he took the wrong side of the war.

Front

Petrarch

Back

'Father of Humanism', believed that people can be religious and regular at the same time. Known as the First Tourist, because he wrote about his travels.

Front

Geoffrey Chaucer

Back

Wrote 'The Canterbury Tales' during the war. Known as the 'Father of English Literature'. Wrote the 'Book of the Duchess' about John of Gaunt's dead wife.

Front

William Shakespeare

Back

Made a new style of writing tragedies and comedies, expanded the English vocabulary, wrote 37 plays, and over 150 sonnets.

Front

Lorenzo de'Medici

Back

Ruler of Florence, patron of many famous artists, major architectural commission was the Villa Medici. Commissioned Machiavelli.

Front

Niccolo Machiavelli

Back

Banned by the Medicis, wrote 'The Prince' about how rulers should always try to stay in power, and challenged the Medici family. Wrote that it was better to be feared than loved.

Front

Leonardo da Vinci

Back

One of the greatest Renaissance men ever. Sculptor, painter, scientist, and architect. Sponsored by the ruler of Milan.

Front

Michelangelo

Back

Painter, architect, poet, and sculptor who painted the Sistine chapel ceiling. He painted the Pieta, with Mary and Jesus. Became the chief architect of St. Peter's basilica.