Art History Identification Quiz: 1400 to Present

Duccio’s Maestà Altarpiece is one of the most important works of early Italian Renaissance art. Created between 1308 and 1311, it reflects a transition from Byzantine traditions toward greater naturalism. The altarpiece was commissioned for Siena Cathedral and demonstrates Duccio’s mastery of narrative detail, color harmony, and spiritual expression, making it central to understanding early Renaissance panel painting development.

Simone Martini’s Annunciation, painted in 1333, is a hallmark of the International Gothic style within the Italian Renaissance. The work is known for its elegant figures, refined linework, and decorative gold background. Martini emphasized grace and courtly beauty rather than strict realism, reflecting a stylistic approach that differed from the later emphasis on perspective and anatomical accuracy.

Masaccio’s Holy Trinity, painted in 1428, is famous for its pioneering use of linear perspective. The fresco creates a convincing illusion of architectural depth, demonstrating mathematical precision. Masaccio’s approach marked a major shift toward realism in Renaissance painting, influencing later artists by showing how geometry could structure space and enhance narrative clarity.

Paolo Uccello painted The Battle of San Romano to explore perspective and motion in a complex narrative scene. The composition uses foreshortened forms and geometric placement of figures. Although the subject depicts warfare, the painting functions as an experiment in spatial organization, revealing Uccello’s fascination with mathematical structure rather than emotional realism.

Piero della Francesca’s Madonna and Child with Saints and the Duke of Urbino demonstrates calm balance and geometric clarity. The figures are arranged symmetrically within an architectural setting. Piero’s precise use of proportion and light reflects his intellectual approach to painting, blending religious devotion with mathematical harmony characteristic of the Italian Renaissance.

Donatello’s David is a bronze sculpture created during the fifteenth century and represents a revival of classical freestanding nude sculpture. The figure displays relaxed contrapposto posture and human vulnerability. Donatello’s work broke medieval conventions, emphasizing individual expression and anatomical realism, making it a milestone in Renaissance sculpture history.

Verrocchio’s David, created around 1470, reflects a transitional moment between early and High Renaissance sculpture. The youthful figure is clothed and expressive, showing confidence and alertness. Verrocchio emphasized realism and surface detail, influencing his students, including Leonardo da Vinci, and contributing significantly to Florentine sculptural traditions.

Fra Angelico’s Annunciation from around 1440 combines spiritual devotion with emerging Renaissance naturalism. The composition is orderly and serene, using architecture to frame sacred interaction. Fra Angelico’s work reflects religious humility while adopting perspective and spatial clarity, bridging medieval piety with Renaissance visual logic.

Fra Filippo Lippi’s Madonna and Child from 1455 emphasizes emotional warmth and human interaction. The figures appear tender and approachable, moving away from rigid iconography. Lippi’s style helped humanize religious subjects, influencing later Renaissance painters by blending devotional imagery with realistic facial expression and soft spatial depth.

Masaccio is best known for advancing linear perspective in early Renaissance painting. His works demonstrate mathematically structured space that creates convincing depth. This innovation allowed figures to exist within believable architectural environments. Masaccio’s influence reshaped painting practices, establishing perspective as a foundational principle of Renaissance visual representation.