Prior to the 15th century European art had changed very little in hundreds of years. Then, over the course of the 15th - 17th centuries it took two strides forward as two new styles of art developed; Renaissance and Baroque. The Renaissance (literally 're-birth') is said to have begun around 1400 when artists drew inspiration from classical antiquity and merged it with new developments in technology and learning. Helped by the development of the printing press, over the next 100 years Renaissance art and culture spread throughout Europe, taking on slightly different characteristics as it... Show more

Prior to the 15th century European art had changed very little in hundreds of years. Then, over the course of the 15th - 17th centuries it took two strides forward as two new styles of art developed; Renaissance and Baroque.

The Renaissance (literally 're-birth') is said to have begun around 1400 when artists drew inspiration from classical antiquity and merged it with new developments in technology and learning. Helped by the development of the printing press, over the next 100 years Renaissance art and culture spread throughout Europe, taking on slightly different characteristics as it travelled. This spread of new ideas marked the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the modern age.

In the 17th century Baroque art developed from that of the Renaissance. Differing from the calm and rational outlook of Renaissance art, that of the Baroque is noted for its drama, showing the most exciting or emotional moment of a scene. For example, Renaissance artist Michelangelo shows David deep in thought before he fights Goliath, whereas Baroque artist Bernini shows the moment when David hurls his stone at the giant.

Two different styles of art - a complement to one another, and both a huge leap forward from the art of medieval Europe.

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Periods: Renaissance and Baroque

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10 Questions

1. Primavera was painted by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli around 1482. It shows a host of mythological figures standing in a flowering garden. What does 'Primavera' translate into English as?

SpringBloomingSummerBlossom

2. Fun on the Ice is an early 17th century painting by the Dutch artist, Hendrick Avercamp. Avercamp was known as de Stomme van Kampen which translates into English as the what of Kampen?

The donkey of KampenThe painter of KampenThe artist of KampenThe mute of Kampen

3. This painting by Italian artist Pietro da Cortona is of which mythological age?

The Silver AgeThe Golden AgeThe Bronze AgeThe Iron Age

4. The Ghent Altarpiece is a fine example of Renaissance art. It measures 11ft x 15ft (3.5m x 4.6m) and was created in the early part of the 14th century by which brothers?

Hubert and Jan van EyckThe Warner brothersHans Holbein the Younger and Hans Holbein the ElderJean and François Clouet

5. The Entry of the Animals Into Noah's Ark was painted in 1613 by which Flemish painter whose father and son were also artists?

Anthony van DyckDavid Teniers the YoungerPeter Paul RubensJan Brueghel the Elder

6. Rogier van der Weyden's 1435 painting, The Descent from the Cross, was commissioned by which guild in the Belgian city of Leuven?

The Guild of NursesThe Guild of ArchersThe Guild of DoctorsThe Guild of Barbers

7. This 1628 work by the French artist Nicolas Poussin recalls the death of which Roman general in 19 AD?

BritanicusIberiusGermanicusItalianus

8. Primavera was painted by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli around 1482. It shows a host of mythological figures standing in a flowering garden. What does 'Primavera' translate into English as?

SummerSpringBlossomBlooming

9. Judith Slaying Holofernes was painted between 1614 - 1620 by Artemisia Gentileschi. Gentileschi was the first what to enter the Florence Art Academy?

The first blind manThe first SpaniardThe first black manThe first woman

10. This painting by Italian artist Pietro da Cortona is of which mythological age?

The Bronze AgeThe Silver AgeThe Iron AgeThe Golden Age