Art History Timeline / Renaissance Art
Renaissance Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Renaissance means rebirth. Artists studied the human body, nature and old Greek and Roman art to make pictures look real. They learned perspective, a trick that makes flat pictures look deep.
For teachers
The Renaissance began in Italian cities like Florence and spread north. Artists used linear perspective, careful observation, anatomy and light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and oil paint spread from northern Europe. Printmaking, especially in Germany, helped images travel widely.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Perspective: lines that lead into the distance
- Realistic people with shadows
- Balanced, calm compositions
- Detailed nature studies
Meet the artists
Leonardo da Vinci
1452 to 1519
He filled notebooks with drawings and often wrote backwards in mirror writing.
Albrecht Dürer
1471 to 1528
He made a famous print of a rhinoceros in 1515 without ever seeing one.
Michelangelo
1475 to 1564
He painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
Sofonisba Anguissola
about 1532 to 1625
She became a court painter for King Philip II of Spain.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
A Bear WalkingLeonardo da Vinci, ca. 1482 to 85The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
The RhinocerosAlbrecht Dürer, 1515The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Madonna and Child Enthroned with SaintsRaphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi), ca. 1504The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Take a page from Leonardo's notebook. Pick something real, like a leaf, a shoe or your own hand, and draw it three times from three different angles. Add a few notes about what you notice.
Ms Artastic lessons
There is no Ms Artastic lesson for this part of the timeline yet. In the meantime, the Free Art Lesson Library has lessons you can teach this week.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryBooks for your art shelf
- Leonardo da Vinci (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
- Michelangelo (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions teachers and parents ask
What is Renaissance art?
Renaissance means rebirth. Artists studied the human body, nature and old Greek and Roman art to make pictures look real. They learned perspective, a trick that makes flat pictures look deep.
What time period is Renaissance art from?
Time period: 1400s to 1500s. Where: Italy and northern Europe.
Who are some famous artists of Renaissance art?
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 to 1519), Albrecht Dürer (1471 to 1528), Michelangelo (1475 to 1564) and Sofonisba Anguissola (about 1532 to 1625).
What is an easy art project for kids about Renaissance art?
Take a page from Leonardo's notebook. Pick something real, like a leaf, a shoe or your own hand, and draw it three times from three different angles. Add a few notes about what you notice.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More famous-artist video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
