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19 Jan 2026
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Art Styles of the Renaissance and Beyond
Ellah Marie Ardaniel
@ellahmri
1 / 3
Renaissance and Mannerism Art
Renaissance art completely revolutionised how artists approached their craft. Instead of the flat, symbolic art of the Middle Ages, Renaissance painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created incredibly realistic works that showed real human emotions and used clever techniques like linear perspective to create depth.
The main focus was on nature and human beauty, often featuring religious subjects but also introducing non-religious portraits. You'll recognise famous works like the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's Pieta, and Raphael's Sistine Madonna - these artists mastered the use of light and shadow to make their subjects look almost alive.
Mannerism emerged in the 1530s as artists started rebelling against Renaissance naturalism. Think of it as art getting a bit more experimental and dramatic! Mannerist painters like El Greco and Pontormo stretched human figures to impossible lengths, used vivid colours, and created deliberately artificial-looking compositions.
Quick Tip: Look for elongated bodies and exaggerated poses in Mannerist paintings - that's your dead giveaway!
Baroque Art
Baroque art exploded onto the scene in the 17th century, and it was all about drama, movement, and emotion! This style emerged largely because the Catholic Church wanted art that would counter the Protestant Reformation - they needed something that would wow people and draw them back to the faith.
Baroque artists like Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Rubens used dramatic contrasts between light and dark, intense emotions, and asymmetrical compositions to create scenes that practically jumped off the canvas. Everything felt theatrical and larger-than-life.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the master of Baroque sculpture, creating marble figures so lifelike they seemed to be caught mid-movement. His works like Apollo and Daphne and Ecstasy of Saint Teresa show incredible skill in capturing human emotion in stone.
Remember: If the art feels dramatic, emotional, and makes you feel like you're watching a intense movie scene, it's probably Baroque!
Rococo Art
Rococo arrived in the early 18th century as a complete mood shift from Baroque's intensity. Instead of drama and religious themes, Rococo was all about having fun! Artists focused on playful themes, love stories, and joyous entertainment using soft pastel colours and graceful, curvy lines.
Antoine Watteau was the trendsetter of this movement, creating dreamy, romantic scenes with titles like The Embarkation for Cythera and The Scale of Love. His work perfectly captured the light-hearted spirit that defined Rococo.
Rococo architecture took Baroque's grandeur but made it more elegant and playful. Buildings like the Amalienburg Palace in Munich and Branicki Palace in Warsaw showcase the style's love of curves, pale colours, and ornate decorations. However, by the 1750s, people were getting tired of all this frivolity, and Neoclassicism started taking over.
Fun Fact: Rococo sculptures often used delicate porcelain instead of heavy marble - even the materials got lighter and more playful!
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Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Art Styles of the Renaissance and Beyond
Ellah Marie Ardaniel
@ellahmri
Art has gone through some incredible transformations from the 14th to 18th centuries! From the realistic masterpieces of the Renaissance to the dramatic flair of Baroque and the playful elegance of Rococo, each movement brought its own unique style and... Show more
Renaissance and Mannerism Art
Renaissance art completely revolutionised how artists approached their craft. Instead of the flat, symbolic art of the Middle Ages, Renaissance painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created incredibly realistic works that showed real human emotions and used clever techniques like linear perspective to create depth.
The main focus was on nature and human beauty, often featuring religious subjects but also introducing non-religious portraits. You'll recognise famous works like the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's Pieta, and Raphael's Sistine Madonna - these artists mastered the use of light and shadow to make their subjects look almost alive.
Mannerism emerged in the 1530s as artists started rebelling against Renaissance naturalism. Think of it as art getting a bit more experimental and dramatic! Mannerist painters like El Greco and Pontormo stretched human figures to impossible lengths, used vivid colours, and created deliberately artificial-looking compositions.
Quick Tip: Look for elongated bodies and exaggerated poses in Mannerist paintings - that's your dead giveaway!
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Baroque Art
Baroque art exploded onto the scene in the 17th century, and it was all about drama, movement, and emotion! This style emerged largely because the Catholic Church wanted art that would counter the Protestant Reformation - they needed something that would wow people and draw them back to the faith.
Baroque artists like Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Rubens used dramatic contrasts between light and dark, intense emotions, and asymmetrical compositions to create scenes that practically jumped off the canvas. Everything felt theatrical and larger-than-life.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the master of Baroque sculpture, creating marble figures so lifelike they seemed to be caught mid-movement. His works like Apollo and Daphne and Ecstasy of Saint Teresa show incredible skill in capturing human emotion in stone.
Remember: If the art feels dramatic, emotional, and makes you feel like you're watching a intense movie scene, it's probably Baroque!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Rococo Art
Rococo arrived in the early 18th century as a complete mood shift from Baroque's intensity. Instead of drama and religious themes, Rococo was all about having fun! Artists focused on playful themes, love stories, and joyous entertainment using soft pastel colours and graceful, curvy lines.
Antoine Watteau was the trendsetter of this movement, creating dreamy, romantic scenes with titles like The Embarkation for Cythera and The Scale of Love. His work perfectly captured the light-hearted spirit that defined Rococo.
Rococo architecture took Baroque's grandeur but made it more elegant and playful. Buildings like the Amalienburg Palace in Munich and Branicki Palace in Warsaw showcase the style's love of curves, pale colours, and ornate decorations. However, by the 1750s, people were getting tired of all this frivolity, and Neoclassicism started taking over.
Fun Fact: Rococo sculptures often used delicate porcelain instead of heavy marble - even the materials got lighter and more playful!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user