Quattroccento paintings

The Quattrocento, literally "the fifteenth century" in Italian, refers to the period between 1400 and 1500 in Italy. This period marks the transition between the Middle Ages and modern times, with a renaissance of the values of Greco-Roman antiquity.

The Renaissance was born of a challenge to the "obscurantist" vision of the Middle Ages, when the Church controlled the lives of Europeans. At that time, religion was lived in fear of the vengeful god, and painting was exclusively religious. Around 1210, Saint Francis of Assisi proposed a new vision of religion, one that was more human and saving. This theological advance, along with the rediscovery of ancient texts, prompted artists to reinvent their way of painting.

The Italian Primitives gradually humanised God and the religious subjects we see on Earth today. The artists also applied themselves to the treatment of landscapes, using perspective and tending towards a more striking realism. Religious paintings (altarpieces) where divine signs (golden background; halos) disappeared in favour of emotion.

The first Renaissance or Quattrocento (1400-1480) was born in Florence and marked a transition between Gothic art and Renaissance art, also commonly known as International Gothic. The artists of the Quattrocento were exceptionally creative, exploring new techniques, innovative ideas and varied subjects. It was during this period that masters such as Masaccio, Fra Angelico, Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini and many others emerged, redefining aesthetic standards and laying the foundations for Western art as we know it today.

The Quattrocento was characterised by a constant quest for harmony, perspective and realistic representation. Artists paid meticulous attention to detail, light and composition, creating works of timeless beauty. Fresco painting, oil painting and sculpture underwent major developments, allowing artists to express their vision in even more elaborate ways. The Quattrocento played a central role in this artistic revolution in Italy. Artists rediscovered ideal proportions, linear perspective and human anatomy, drawing inspiration from the works of Antiquity and the texts of ancient authors. This period also saw the emergence of influential patrons who supported the artists and encouraged their development.

Explore our collections of Quattrocento paintings and rediscover the roots of our culture.