Quattrocento facts for kids
Quattrocento is an Italian word that means "four hundred." It refers to the 1400s, which was the 15th century. This time was very important for art and culture in Europe. It began in Italy and was the first part of a big movement called the Renaissance.
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What Was the Quattrocento?
The Quattrocento period lasted from 1401 to 1500. It started in the city of Florence, Italy. A powerful family called the Medici helped it grow. During this time, artists became famous for their work. People started to see artists as important creators, not just anonymous workers.
Artists in the early Renaissance believed that humans were God's most perfect creation. This idea influenced their art.
New Art Styles and Techniques
During the Quattrocento, art changed a lot.
- Painting: Artists learned new ways to paint. They developed "perspective," which made paintings look like they had depth and space. This made scenes look more real.
- Sculpture: Sculptors got better at making human figures. They looked back at the art of ancient Rome and Greece for ideas.
- Architecture: Buildings also changed. Architects returned to the simple, grand styles of ancient Roman monuments.
Famous Artists and Their Supporters
Lorenzo de' Medici, a leader of the Medici family, greatly supported artists. He encouraged people in Florence to pay for new artworks. Some of the most famous artists who worked during this time include:
While Leonardo and Michelangelo are also known for their work in the next century (the Cinquecento), they started their careers during the Quattrocento.
Key Artists of the Quattrocento
Here are some of the best artists from this period:
- Sculptors: Artists like Donatello and Ghiberti focused on showing the human body in their sculptures.
- Painters: Painters used perspective to create depth. Famous names include Masaccio, Fra Angelico, Sandro Botticelli, Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Filippo Lippi, and Andrea Mantegna. In 1470, Botticelli painted his famous Birth of Venus in Florence.
- Architects: Architects like Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti focused on creating simple, clear spaces in their buildings.
Literature in the Quattrocento
The Quattrocento was also a great time for Literature. Two very famous writers were Niccolò Machiavelli and Ludovico Ariosto. Writers during this period made Italian language and style even better. They combined Italian ways of writing with classic styles from ancient times.
Many important writers of the Quattrocento learned from the culture of the century before, called the Trecento. Some of these writers were born in the late 1400s:
- Niccolò Machiavelli (born 1469)
- Michelangelo Buonarroti (born 1474)
- Ludovico Ariosto (born 1474)
- Baldassare Castiglione (born 1468)
Music of the Quattrocento
Renaissance music during the Quattrocento was important too. Bartolomeo da Bologna was a key figure. After a group of musicians called the "Burgundian School" finished their work, Italy became a leader in Renaissance music. New styles of music came from cities like Venice and Rome.
Related Periods
- Duecento (the 1200s)
- Trecento (the 1300s)
- Cinquecento (the 1500s)
See also
In Spanish: Quattrocento para niños
