Western Art Course

Regarding the final chapter on Da Vinci, we finally get to talk about the Mona Lisa, and you might have been eagerly waiting for this moment. Today, I won't elaborate on the artistic achievements of this painting; instead, I want to tell you that its…

"The Great Prophet" Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci cannot be easily categorized or defined. While he achieved immense artistic accomplishments, he was merely an "amateur painter." His contributions to science were enormous, with many of his designs not realized during his time, yet they…

The Battle of the Century: Leonardo da Vinci vs. Michelangelo The Battle of the Century was a momentous duel between two of the greatest masters of the Renaissance—Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. This historic artistic showdown is unparalleled in art history. Though neither artist completed…

The Scientist Ahead of His Time: Leonardo da Vinci Today, we continue to discuss Leonardo da Vinci, a figure whose achievements extended far beyond what you may already know, such as Watt's invention of the steam engine or Galileo's heliocentric theory. However, you might not…

"The Amateur Painter" Leonardo da Vinci Today, we officially enter the realm of the "Three Giants of the Renaissance" and will explore Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Let’s start with Leonardo, and I will explain what kind of person he was from various fields…

Spain as a Less Mainstream Artistic Region During the Renaissance El Greco: The Unconventional Pioneer of the Spanish Renaissance El Greco (1541–1614) was a representative painter of the Spanish Renaissance and created history’s first well-known pure landscape painting. El Greco's work does not conform to…

Today, I will introduce you to the person who coined the concept of the "Renaissance"—Giorgio Vasari. Giorgio Vasari: The Inventor of the "Renaissance" A Man of Many Talents Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574) was a third-rate painter, a second-rate architect, and a first-rate historical novelist. Much like…

When we mention world wars, everyone knows about World War I and World War II in the 20th century. However, there was actually another "World War" before them, known as the "Thirty Years' War." The person responsible for triggering this great war was none other…

Understanding European History Through Art The histories of European countries are not linear developments but rather complex and intertwined. The territories and rulers of each country have continuously changed over different periods. The political shifts can be likened to a tangled mess, resembling a story…

Today, I will introduce to you an important composer from the transitional period between the Renaissance and Baroque: Claudio Monteverdi. Monteverdi: The First Internationally Renowned Composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) was the first internationally recognized composer. Before him, musicians were mostly civil servants working for the…

We will divide the content into two parts to give you an in-depth look at music during the Renaissance. Today's focus is on the musician Palestrina. Outstanding Renaissance Composer: Palestrina Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594) was one of the most distinguished composers of the Renaissance.…

The Overcorrection of Renaissance Architecture Renaissance architecture is a style that emerged after Gothic architecture. It originated in Florence under the influence of Renaissance ideas, with its most obvious feature being the rejection of the medieval Gothic style and the promotion of the revival of…