When we think of the Renaissance, we often think of paintings. And indeed, many painters and sculptors were part of the artistic transformation the Renaissance caused. But there was more. The Renaissance basically formed a period of collective enlightenment and freedoms that put an end to certain tyrannies and false notions from the Middle Ages.

The Renaissance is a time in European history marking the shift from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, identified by an effort to restore and exceed ideas and accomplishments of classical antiquity. It happened after the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages and was related to great social change. Aside from the basic periodization, advocates of a "long Renaissance" might put its start in the 14th century and its end in the 17th century.

Rather than a few years or specific dates, let's take a look at what the extensive time period of the Renaissance provided, and what it leaves us with today.