Sandro Botticelli 002 - The Yorck Project Masterpieces of Painting

Italian Renaissance painting is most often be divided into four periods: the Proto-Renaissance (1300–1425), the Early Renaissance (1425–1495), the High Renaissance (1495–1520), and Mannerism (1520–1600). The city of Florence is renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and in particular of Renaissance painting. From the early 15th to late 16th centuries, Italy was divided into many political states. The painters of Renaissance Italy wandered Italy, disseminating artistic and philosophical ideas. The Proto-Renaissance begins with the professional life of the painter Giotto and includes Taddeo Gaddi, Orcagna and Altichiero. The Early Renaissance style was started by Masaccio and then further developed by Fra Angelico, Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca, Sandro Botticelli, Verrocchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Giovanni Bellini. The High Renaissance period was that of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Andrea del Sarto, Coreggio, Giorgione, the latter works of Giovanni Bellini, and Titian. The Mannerist period, dealt with in a separate article, included the latter works of Michelangelo, as well as Pontormo, Parmigianino, Bronzino and Tintoretto.

Sandro Botticelli (1445–1510) was an Italian painter of the early Renaissance. He was born in Florence, Italy and trained under Fra Filippo Lippi. Botticelli's most famous works include The Birth of Venus and Primavera, both of which depict mythological scenes. He was known for his use of bright colours and delicate lines, as well as his attention to detail and symbolism. In addition to his mythological paintings, Botticelli also painted religious works such as The Adoration of the Magi and The Mystical Nativity. Despite his success during his lifetime, Botticelli's reputation declined after his death, and it was not until the 19th century that his work was rediscovered and celebrated by art historians.