Replacing egg-based tempera, oil allowed for richer colors, finer details, and realistic light effects. The Three Main Periods

The peak of the movement, dominated by the "Trinity" of masters— Leonardo da Vinci , Michelangelo , and Raphael —whose works achieved a perfect balance of harmony and technical skill.

Celebrated for its detailed anatomy and "contrapposto" pose. The School of Athens

Chiaroscuro used strong contrasts between light and dark to create volume, while sfumato (perfected by Leonardo) involved blurring edges to create soft, smoky transitions.

Artists like Leonardo da Vinci performed dissections to understand the human body, leading to more accurate muscular and skeletal depictions.