This week's installment of oil painting through the ages will explore what is often referred to as the “golden era” of art history, the renaissance age. This was also the introduction of oil paint as we know it today, a glorious heyday of the medium.

This “revival” or cultural “rebirth” (the very definition of Renaissance) took place between the 14th and 15th centuries, namely in Italy but also spanning over Europe. This was a time of renewed interest in the intellectual: in science, philosophy and educational reform. This era is also often noted as the bridge between the medieval and modern ages.

This era was the dawn of realism in art. Science had taught the artist to show linear perspective (a form of perspective in art that gives the illusion of distance and depth.) The great painters of this time moved towards hyper realistic renderings by also studying light, shadow and human anatomy, giving a full appearance in their paintings.

The Renaissance style, unlike the flat style of the middle ages, painted the human form with the utmost detail to the realistic. Unlike the forms painted on flat colored backgrounds in the Middle Ages, artists paid careful attention to backgrounds, realistically capturing nature. Their paintings were also often more complicated, containing many more objects that were also painted in great detail. Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the artist most known for the perfection of this style.

da Vinci is truly the definition of a renaissance man. He was a scientist, engineer, mathematician, inventor, architect, botanist, musician, writer and sculptor in addition to his historic painting skills. Among his most famous works are The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

da Vinci's most parred contemporary was Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni commonly known as Michelangelo. While he famously worked in sculpture (statue of David ring any bells?) Michelangelo also created some of art's greatest paintings. He created The Last Judgment wall of the Sistine Chapel in Rome including the infamously reproduced Creation of Adam.

The Renaissance is also referred to as the most productive era in history. Capture some of this productivity by bringing the art of the "re-birth" era to your home. A renaissance painting would look incredible at a huge canvas size as the statement piece in your living room. Or why not get a life-size Mona Lisa replica to hang in your hallway? The only thing you need for art this great is good lighting, the rest doesn't matter, these are works that could hold up anywhere.