Lorenzo Ghiberti, “Gates of Paradise” (1425-1442). [CREDIT: Mondadori Electa / Learning Pictures / Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

The East portal of the Florentine Baptistry contains Lorenzo Ghiberti’s immense (18 ft. 6 in. tall) gilt-bronze doors, brilliantly depicting in low relief ten episodes from the Old Testament. Ghiberti pictured himself in the roundel at the middle of the left door. Other figures depict his son, Vittorio, biblical prophets, and heroines. (From Humanist Traditions, p. 56)

Michelangelo’s “David”

1501-04, by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564 Italian) Marble Academy of Fine Arts, Florence, Italy

[CREDIT: SuperStock/ Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa (Detail)

Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519. 'Mona Lisa (La Gioconda)', c.1503. (Detail: face). Wood, 77 x 53cm. Paris, Musee du Louvre.

[CREDIT: akg-images / Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

The Birth of Venus' 1486: painting by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli c. 1445 - 1510. It depicts the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a full grown woman, arriving at the sea-shore.

[CREDIT: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Educational Use Only]

“School of Athens”, wall painting by Raphael on one of the walls in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican Museums; Previous photo restoration of 1996

[CREDIT: Alinari Archives / Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

School of Athens “Decoded”

Adapted from The Humanistic Tradition, p. 64

Tomb of Lorenzo de' Medici Created by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Detail. Figure man Lorenzo de' Medici thoughtful melancholy portrait - Italy, Florence, San Lorenzo basilica, Sagrestia Nuova, Medici Chapel

[CREDIT: Mondadori Electa / Learning Pictures / Universal Images Group/Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

Portrait of Alessandro de Medici, first Duke of Florence

Italy - 16th century. Portrait of Alessandro de Medici (Florence, 1510-1537), first Duke of Florence (1532-1537).

[CREDIT: G. NIMATALLAH / De Agostini Picture Library / Universal Images Group/ Rights Managed / For Education Use Only]

Portrait of an African Man (Portrait of a Moor) by Jan Mostaert

1520-1530, The Netherlands, Courtesy of the Rijks Museum (Amsterdam)