Browse Items (85 total)

The artist made this sketch of a rhinoceros based on descriptions travelers gave. The artist himself had never seen one. This sketch represents the contact Europeans had with other lands from writings and the facinations that they had with it.

Albrecht Dürer worked in Nuremberg, Germany, beyond the range of the Italian Renaissance. Dürer visited Italy multiple times during his long career, and was inspired by the Classical style and humanistic thought of the region. He represents the…

Photograph of St. Peter's Basillica in Rome taken in the 1910s.

The harpsichord was an instrument that was used widely during the renaissance era. Much like a piano, it produces music by plucking a string when a corresponding key on the keyboard is played. This particular harpsichord was constructed in 1646 in…

Muscular anatomy of idealized human form. The pose is similar to poses from Renaissance paintings, showing the hazy line between art and scientific drawings.

A common historiographical debate regarding the arts in Europe and European society in general regards secularization. Specifically, there is debate as to how secular Early Modern Europe became over time. Many prominent historians and sociologists…

Anthony Holborne was an English composer who published many books of music in the late 16th century and early 17th century. This particular piece, The Night Watch, was originally written for the lute, and was written in the 17th century.

Gentileschi was one of the few women artist from her day. She was a part of the Counter-Reformation movement, during which there was a proliferation of religious art from the Catholic Church in an effort to counter the Protestant movemtent.

Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier is an important account of the experiences of Renaissance court life. It describes the ideal qualities of a male courtier and the perfect lady. The book represents the Renaissance and Early Modern focus on personal…