The Renaissance was an exciting time for art, and you can see its impact in modern art today. Here are some important features that made the Renaissance special:

1. Realism: Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo aimed to make their figures look lifelike. They studied how the human body and nature worked. This focus on realism helped later artists paint the world more truthfully.

2. Perspective: Artists like Brunelleschi introduced linear perspective, which created a sense of depth in paintings. This meant that backgrounds looked like they went back into space, making pictures feel more three-dimensional. This technique is still used in modern art.

3. Humanism: There was a big change in how artists viewed the world. They started to focus on human experiences and emotions. Instead of just painting religious figures, they showed everyday people. This idea continues to inspire today's artists, who like to tell personal stories.

4. Use of Light and Shadow: Artists played around with light, shadows, and color to add depth to their work. The technique of chiaroscuro, which uses strong contrasts between light and dark, is important in today’s paintings and photography.

5. New Techniques and Materials: The Renaissance brought improvements in oil paints and canvas. This allowed artists to create brighter colors and more detailed textures. These changes helped pave the way for future artistic discoveries.

All these features made the Renaissance a starting point for modern art, encouraging artists to explore and share their unique views of the world.