The Renaissance was a time of great rebirth and creativity that began in Italy during the 14th century. It was a period where art, science, and the idea of humanism flourished. Many important people emerged from this time, and their work still impacts us today.

Important People of the Renaissance:

1. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

   • What he did:
     • He was a famous painter known for amazing artworks like The Last Supper and Mona Lisa.
     • He came up with new painting techniques to create realistic images.
     • Leonardo also made important discoveries in science and engineering, even sketching ideas for inventions like flying machines.

2. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

   • What he did:
     • Michelangelo was a famous sculptor, painter, and architect. His notable works include the Statue of David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
     • His art showed a deep understanding of human emotions and the human body.
     • He also greatly influenced architecture, especially with his design of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

3. Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)

   • What he did:
     • Machiavelli was a political thinker known for his book The Prince, which discusses political power and real-life situations.
     • His ideas helped shape modern political science and included the thought that sometimes you must do bad things for good reasons.
     • He introduced ideas about republicanism and examined how humans act in government.

4. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

   • What he did:
     • Galileo was a key figure in the scientific revolution, especially in astronomy.
     • He improved the telescope, which helped him make great discoveries, like the moons of Jupiter, challenging the old belief that the Earth was at the center of the universe.
     • He also discovered important laws about falling objects that advanced the study of physics.

5. Petrarch (1304-1374)

   • What he did:
     • Known as the "Father of Humanism," Petrarch brought back an interest in old writings and philosophy.
     • He wrote beautiful poems, especially his sonnets to a woman named Laura, which helped shape the Italian language and poetry.
     • Petrarch stressed the importance of personal experiences and what humans can achieve.

Impact and Facts:

• The Renaissance sparked a lot of creativity and new ideas:
  • By the late 15th century, many new painting styles and techniques emerged, with more than 20 major innovations, making art more lifelike.
  • The humanist movement helped create over 200 universities across Europe, encouraging education and critical thinking.

The Renaissance laid the groundwork for future cultural changes throughout Europe, leaving a lasting mark on art and science.