The Renaissance was a special time in history that lasted from the 14th to the 17th century. During this period, many important scientific discoveries changed how artists created their work.

Let’s look at three main areas where science helped art during the Renaissance:

1. Anatomy:

   • People started to study the human body in more detail. One important figure was Andreas Vesalius, who published a book called "De humani corporis fabrica" in 1543.
   • Artists like Leonardo da Vinci also studied anatomy by examining real bodies. This helped them draw people more accurately. For example, in da Vinci's drawing called "Vitruvian Man," he showed how the height and width of a person relate to each other.

2. Optics:

   • Artists learned about how to create the illusion of depth in their paintings. Filippo Brunelleschi came up with ideas that helped artists add perspective, making their artworks feel more real.
   • Because of this, paintings began to include things like vanishing points and horizon lines. In fact, about 75% of paintings from the Renaissance used some form of linear perspective!

3. Mathematics:

   • Math also played a big role in art. It helped artists create balanced and beautiful compositions. For example, the artist Raphael used a special number called the golden ratio (approximately 1.618) to make his artwork, such as “The School of Athens,” more pleasing to the eye.

In summary, the blend of science and art during the Renaissance changed how artists worked. It set a new standard for realism in art, moving away from older styles to celebrate human beauty and smart thinking. This approach has influenced many art movements that came after.