Masaccio
15th-century Italian Renaissance painter known for using perspective and realistic human figures (The Holy Trinity).
Masaccio, born Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, was a pioneering Florentine painter of the early Italian Renaissance, renowned for his naturalistic style and use of linear perspective. He is best known for his work on the Brancacci Chapel frescoes, which showcase his mastery of chiaroscuro and three-dimensional forms, significantly influencing later artists like Michelangelo. Despite his short career, Masaccio’s innovations in painting marked the beginning of the Early Italian Renaissance, moving art away from the International Gothic style toward a more realistic and humanistic approach. His legacy is preserved through surviving works such as the Holy Trinity fresco and the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.