French for "deceive the eye," trompe-l'œil is an artistic technique to create the realistic illusion that an image exists in three dimensions.
A Renaissance ideal of appearing to create art effortlessly and gracefully to demonstrate one's immense skill.
A representation of an artist, created by the artist. As the social status of artists improved during the Renaissance, from anonymous craftsmen to respected intellectuals, artists increasingly began depicting themselves as a main subject in their works.
Can refer to painters from the same country, city, or a group of painters that follow in the style of another artist (e.g. Dutch School, Florentine School, School of Raphael).
Considered the most important genre painting for most of the 20th century. History painting focused on narrative and depicted mythological, biblical, or historical subject matter and had a moralizing tone.
A perspectival technique that creates the illusion of an object receding sharply into the distance. Renaissance artists often used foreshortening to demonstrate their skill.
The center of visual interest in a 2D painting where the viewer's eye is naturally drawn.
The Renaissance theoretical debate between drawing vs. color, generally divided between the Florentine and Venetian art traditions.
