The Renaissance Revolution

The Early Renaissance transformed European art in just a few decades. Three breakthroughs led the way:

• Perspective: Brunelleschi's mathematical system let painters build convincing depth on flat walls.
• The human body: Donatello revived classical contrapposto, giving sculpted figures real weight and movement for the first time since Roman antiquity.
• Engineering: Brunelleschi's dome proved Florence could rival, and outdo, the ancient world.