Style Guide: Renaissance
The Renaissance style was inspired by the art and architecture of ancient Rome. It originated in Italy in the 14th century and gradually spread across the whole of Europe. …
Read article
Room 64: Renaissance Art & Ideas 1400–1550
The Wolfson Gallery explores Renaissance ideas and beliefs, particulary the interest in antiquity and classical precedents, together with the creative process of the artist…
Read article
Room 64a: Donatello & the Making of Art 1400–1500
The Robert H. Smith Gallery holds The V&A's exceptional collection of sculptures by Donatello, the most important and influential sculptor of 15th-century Italy.
Read article
Room 50: The Renaissance City 1350–1600
The Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery holds large-scale works, once part of impressive Renaissance buildings, are displayed in the context of the cityscape. At its heart is the…
Read article
Italian Renaissance villas and gardens
In the 14th century, the Italian villa was a large country house, often fortified, that stood at the heart of an agricultural estate. Some of these houses became increasing…
Read article
Donatello and Florence
Donatello was born and died in Florence, and was a favourite of Cosimo de' Medici (1389–1464), a member of the family that, in effect, ruled the Republic of Florence. Artis…
Read article
The Ascension Relief by Donatello, 1428-30
Donatello is regarded as one of the greatest sculptors of the 1400s and this marble panel is one of the finest surviving examples of his innovative work in extremely low re…
Read article
Cosimo I de' Medici: Renaissance patron
Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519–74) was Duke of Florence between 1537 and his death. The de’ Medicis were renowned for their patronage of the arts, and Cosimo I continued this tr…
Read article
Renaissance music 1400–1600
The recordings you can listen to on this page are featured throughout the Museum's Medieval & Renaissance galleries and complement significant objects in the collection. Th…
Read article
Renaissance preachers
During the Italian Renaissance, charismatic preachers spoke not only about spiritual matters but also about the social, political, moral and economic issues of the day. The…
Read article
Leonardo da Vinci: Experience, Experiment, Design
The V&A has in its collections five of Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks. They reveal how he thought on paper and contain some of his most complex and challenging designs.
Read article
Renaissance women at leisure
Women from wealthy Renaissance families had a range of leisure pursuits available to them, including hunting, gaming and needlecraft.
Read article
Medieval & Renaissance hunting
Hunting in the medieval period was a sport exclusive to royalty and the aristocracy, and was more than a pastime. The elaborate rituals of the hunt were an integral part of…
Read article
Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
Buy or Renew Membership OnlineShop online
Italian Renaissance Maiolica
The V&A has the greatest collection of maiolica in the world. This long awaited study explores the significance of these fascinating objects in th…
Buy nowEvent - Late Medieval to Early Renaissance 1250-1500 13/14
Tue 17 September 2013 10:30
YEAR COURSE: Examine the visual arts in an era of profound cultural, intellectual and social change.
Tuesdays, 17 September 2013 - 8 July 2014 (over 3 terms), 11.10-15.30
