Unknown – Wilton DiptychRichard II presented to the Virgin and Child by his Patron Saint John the Baptist

and Saints Edward and Edmund – all are represented as traditional icons

Unknown – Baptism of ChristRichard II presented to the Virgin and Child by his Patron Saint John the Baptist

and Saints Edward and Edmund – all are represented as traditional icons.

Da Vinci – The Last SupperEven in a traditional religious scene, the human drama of the moment

overshadows the image’s religious significance.

Leonardo Da Vinci – Vitruvian ManDa Vinci’s analytical portrait of man (which has been beamed to potential alien

observers) reflects the scientific mentality of his age.

Leonardo Da Vinci – WombDa Vinci’s medical sketches reveal a irrepressible scientific curiosity in an age

where such activities were seen as illegal and immoral .

Michaelangelo – Mona LisaRenaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. This famous

example demonstrates the growing importance of the individual.

Michaelangelo – The PietaRenaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. Here, the

religious theme is overshadowed by the personal drama of mother and son.

Michaelangelo – The PietaRenaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. Here, the

religious theme is overshadowed by the personal drama of mother and son.

Michaelangelo – The PietaRenaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. Here, the

religious theme is overshadowed by the personal drama of mother and son.

Michaelangelo – St. Peter’s BasilicaRenaissance art and architecture were heavily influenced by the Classical

models that lay close at hand – compare this to Rome’s Pantheon.

Michaelangelo – St. Peter’s BasilicaRenaissance art and architecture were heavily influenced by the Classical

models that lay close at hand – compare this to Rome’s Pantheon.

Van Dyke – Charles IVan Dykes portrait of England’s doomed king employs a variety of contemporary

artistic conventions – including the horse as a symbol of (ironically) political authority.

Rembrandt – Self PortraitRembrandt portrays himself employing two of the features for which he became

famous: a dramatic use of light and an honesty in depicting his subjects.

Diego Velazquez – Las MeninasAlthough painted in Spain in the 17th century, this “family portrait” has attracted the

attention of postmodern artists as an example of self-reflexive art.