Supporting Details in Renaissance Humanism

In the late 15th century, during the Renaissance, a new emphasis on humanism began to influence various spheres of life. Artists, thinkers, and writers started to focus on the value and agency of human beings. This period saw a radical shift in the creation of art, moving away from purely religious themes to include human experience and emotion. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci's works exemplified this transition with his painting, the 'Mona Lisa', which represents not only a subject but also a complex expression of humanity. Similarly, Michelangelo's sculptures, like 'David', celebrated the human form and conveyed a sense of beauty grounded in realism. Renowned thinkers, such as Erasmus and Machiavelli, further propagated humanist ideals, emphasizing reason, ethical governance, and the importance of individual achievement. The Renaissance marked a pivotal moment where the focus shifted from divine to earthly matters, affecting not just art and literature but also philosophy and science.