Botticelli, Holbein, da Vinci, Dürer, Michelangelo: these Renaissance masters are still revered today. But who were these artists, why did they produce such memorable works, and how were they viewed in their own time? Using vivid and engaging examples, Geraldine A. Johnson focuses on both canonical and lesser-known artists from the Northern and Southern Renaissance. Additionally, she provides a fascinating overview of the period and its culture, while highlighting the variety of approaches that can help us understand these magnificent artistic creations.