Beyond the Renaissance

Petit Livre d'Amour

Jan 1, 1500

Petit Livre d'Amour was written by Pierre Sala (1457–1529) in 1500. The Petit Livre d'Amour is a collection of love poems. The manuscript is written in French with the exception of one poem written in Italian. The manuscript was housed in a wooden, leather covered carrying case. There are 13 colored and gold minature illustrations arranged on various pages throughout the manuscript.

Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba

Jan 1, 1500

One of a pair, this one is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the other is housed at the British Museum in London, this mask was worn by the King of Benin to honor his mother Idia. The mask was carved from Ivory with copper and iron inlays. It was extremely rare for a woman to be depicted in Benin art but the King had two made to show gratitude to Idia for her wise counsel.

Beyond the Renaissance

Period: Jan 1, 1500 to Dec 31, 1550

Self-Portrait

Aug 10, 1500

Painted in or around 1500, the self-portrait of Albrecht Dürer depicts a 28 year old on the cusp of maturity. 29 represents a turning point in a man's life, a point that turns a youth into a mature adult. The turning point is showcased in this self-portrait by Dürer's use of darker tones and his demeanor. This is one of Dürer's most complex pieces. Dürer uses fine details to highlight the focal areas while using dark tones and broad strokes in the background.

Michelangelo's David

Jan 1, 1504

(1501 - 1504) Michelangelo's David, made from gleaming white marble, stands 14 feet tall. Originally rejected by two other artists due to imperfections in the marble, a 26 year old Michelangelo leapt at the chance to showcase his skills. It depicts the biblical hero David, standing contropasto, relaxed but alert, and ready for battle with the Philistine's hero Goliath. Michelangelo unknowingly created an icon for the male form that has been unrivaled and talked about for centuries.

Matsumoto Castle

Jan 1, 1504

Originally called Fukashi Castle was built in 1504 by Shimadachi Sadanaga of the Ogasawara clan. The name was later changed to Matsumoto Castle or "Crow Castle" due to the black exterior which was reminiscent of crows wings. Throughout the years turrets were added to the main structure and in 1550 the castle was taken over by the Takeda clan. Construction is said to continued through the chaotic social unrest until 1594.

Throne of Motecuhzoma II

Jan 1, 1507

Carved from volcanic stone and sitting 1.23 meters tall, the Throne of Metecuhzoma II was commisioned to commencerate the new fire ceremony of the Aztecs. The throne was discovered near the palace of Motecuhzoma II in 1831. Images are carved on the throne which dipict Azetec Gods, people and the connection between fire and water, a connection which meant a great deal to the Aztec people. The new fire ceremony was held once every 52 years and required a human sacrifice to the god Xiuhtecuhtli.

Missa de Beata Virgine

Jan 1, 1510

Josquin des Prez, or better known as simply Josquin, was a french composer who composed Missa de Beata Virgine around 1510. Missa de Beata Virgine is one of the last three compositions Josquin would ever compose. Missa de Beata Virgine features an unsual style for Josquin's mass; 4 voices for the first 2 movements and 5 voices for the following movements. Missa de Beata Virgine is typical in regards to its glorification of the Virgin Mary, a popular tribute of the time.

Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Jan 1, 1512

(1508 - 1512) Commisioned by Pope Julius II, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was orinally designed to showcase the 12 Apostles, but Michalengelo had a different idea. Michalengelo thought himself a sculptor and not a painter, but when commisioned by the Pope, Michalengelo's terms were to "do whatever he liked" -- whether that is true or not will never be known. What is known is what was to be 12 Apostles turned into 343 figures that spanned mutliple chapters of the Bible.

Utopia

Jan 1, 1516

Sir Thomas More was the first known person to write about a Utopia, a perfect imaginary place where there is no want or need. Utopia is a manuscript written by More in which outlines the Utopia; the place he imagines is on an island, as well as his own Utopian alphabet. It's not know if More was serious when he wrote the book or if he wrote a satire in which he was able to discuss important issues surrounding European politics.

Mona Lisa

Jan 1, 1517

The most talked about piece of art in the world, Mona Lisa. Leonardo da Vinci started the painting in 1502 and it was not until 1516 that da Vinci, upset with himself for not finishing it, continued working on it through completion in 1517. Mystery surrounds the painting, the landscape behind her, who the sitter is, but nothing is more mysterious than Mona Lisa's smile.

Saint Michael Trampling the Dragon

Jan 1, 1518

Raphael was commissioned by Pope Julius II to recreate the classic battle between Arch Angel Michael and Satan, one in which Raphael had previously done for Guidobaldo da Montefeltro. Raphael used a striking color pallette, and when contrasted against the darker tones in the painting, highlights the battle between good and evil.

The Sacrifice at Lystra

Dec 26, 1519

Originally created as a cartoon by Raphael, one of the three great masters of the High Renaissance period, the tapestry was most likely completed only years before Raphael's death in 1520. It is unclear if Raphael was present for the unveiling of the tapestry in 1519. The tapestry and the cartoon are reflections of one another due to the fact that the cartoon would be replicated on the back of the weave as a pattern. Finer thread allowed for higher detail in the tapestry.

Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas

Jan 1, 1524

Not much is known about the life of John Taverner before 1520 but what is known is how influential he became as a composer. One of his most renowned masses is Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas, so inspiring that some scholars call it the "greatest piece of music ever to have been written in England." Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas features six voices, all having a wide range of tone.

Flesh and Bone: the Two-Faced Rosary

Jan 1, 1525

Made from ivory and set in a low gloss metal, the Flesh and Bone rosary is clouded in mystery. It was carved somewhere in Germany in 1525 by an unknown artist. Some scholars consider the images to be dipictions of family as they lived and on the flip side is a representation of their passing. It is thought of as a non-traditional rosary used to meditate on life and death.

Bible in English

Jan 1, 1526

Written and printed in 1526 William Tyndale's Bible is the first ever to be in English. This was unheard of at the time due to Rome controlling much of the Church. While some Bibles were written in the locale European languages, most services were still performed in Latin allowing for the Church to translate and mediate God's message for the people.

Efu Tachi Kai Mihara Blade

Jan 1, 1532

Crafted by a smith from the Mihara school in the Bingo province, not much else is known about the history of the sword up until its last few owners. The sword has inlay of gold and jewels as well as abelone shell, which highlights its use as a ceremonial weapon.

The Life of Gargantua and of Pantagruel

Jan 1, 1534

Written as a pentology, the five book set features the lives of two giants, Gargantua and Pantagruel. The author, François Rabelais, employed satirical comedy throughout the pentology giving the reader a glimpse into the lives of knights. It is now believed that François Rabelais used Gargatua and Pantagruel to highlight social issues and equality, because at the carnival "we are all equal".

Chateau de Chambord

Jan 1, 1547

Chateau de Chambord was orginally commissioned by King Francis I of France as a hunting lodge. Although never fully completed, the chateau exclaimed ellegance. What was once used by King Francis I of France to host parties, was abandoned for decades. The Chateau has been restored but still ranks in the top 5 most haunted castles in France.

Kunqu Opera

Jan 1, 1550

Kunqu Opera (Song of Kun) can be traced to one man in the mid 1500s, Wei Laingfu. It is said Wei Laingfu combined the kunshan qiang style of opera with the other regional styles of opera, and by doing so it became its own genre of opera, wildly popular all over China. Kunqu Opera whispers smooth, grace, and ethereal, so much so that is was often called shuimodiao, meaning water-polished music.

Cup With Gilded Manikin Handles

Jan 1, 1550

Exquisitely crafted by an uknown goldsmith, the cup features gold and enamel handles mirrored on each side of a rock cyrstal cup. The craftsman showed tremendous skill and precision in crafting the wings as well as the imagery on the cup.