Even though Leonardo da Vinci didn’t leave behind a huge number of paintings, some of his works are considered to be the most famous works of art ever created. The works of Da Vinci we’ll examine in this post (yes, plural for a particular reason) are generally known as “Virgin of the Rocks” or “Madonna …
Artworks
Born and raised in Florence, Italy, Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) became one of the most renowned Mannerist artists in history. He was prolific as a draftsman, sculptor, goldsmith, poet, and also wrote an autobiography. Even though he traveled all across Italy during his career, he was commemorated in his hometown with a bust on the most …
The son of a famous Renaissance painter named Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569) became one of the most talented painters in history himself, albeit predominantly in a style referred to as Mannerism or “Late-Renaissance.” Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625) was a close friend of Peter Paul Rubens and both men are considered the leading Flemish …
Daniele da Volterra (1509-1566) was born as Daniele Ricciarelli in the town of Volterra in the Tuscany region of Italy. He is most famously known for a peculiar job in Rome, namely covering the genitals painted by Michelangelo in his “Last Judgement” on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Regardless of …
One of the most intriguing statues in the world can be found in the center of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. This fascinating little statue is world-famous, even though it barely stands 61 centimeters (24 inches) tall. In this article, you’ll discover the ultimate list of interesting facts about Manneken Pis, one of the best-recognized …
It took a while before an artist by the name of Jacopo Robusti (1518-1594), better known by the nickname he got as a little boy “Tintoretto,” made his name in his hometown of Venice, Italy. Offering his services as a painter for little pay or even for free was one way that he managed to …
If your job is your hobby, then you won’t have to work a day in your life. This saying is especially true for artists who simply create amazing things for the rest of us to enjoy. One of these artists was named Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564), better known as simply “Michelangelo.” He was …
If you’re interested in delicate works of art that depict random household scenes from the 17th century, the oeuvre of famous Dutch Baroque artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) will certainly appeal to you. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about “Woman With a Water Jug,” one of these paintings that …
If there’s one painting that shows the gloomy state of mind of renowned Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), then it’s surely the one that he painted in the final days of his life. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Wheatfield with Crows, one of the masterpieces of …
One of the greatest patrons of the arts in the early 16th century was a man named “Giuliano della Rovere” (1443- 1513), better known as Pope Julius II. He named himself after Julius Caesar and is widely considered to be equally influential in terms of the arts and politics during the High Renaissance. He founded …