1. The High Renaissance The essential feature of High Renaissance art was its unity. Paintings invoked increasing dramatic force with the human forms becoming so life-like, they almost seemed to be breathing. Three artists whose work dominated this period were Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. The essential feature of High Renaissance art was its unity. Paintings invoked increasing dramatic force with the human forms becoming so life-like, they almost seemed to be breathing. Three artists whose work dominated this period were Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci.

2. The High Renaissance: Michelangelo as Sculptor Michelangelo (c. 1501-1504) preferred the chisel to the paint brush and he has left us with such astounding sculptures as David and the Pieta. Michelangelo (c. 1501-1504) preferred the chisel to the paint brush and he has left us with such astounding sculptures as David and the Pieta.

3. The High Renaissance: Michelangelo as Painter Through the insistence of Pope Julian II, however, Michelangelo set the chisel aside for a time and conceived the world's greatest single fresco in the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Through the insistence of Pope Julian II, however, Michelangelo set the chisel aside for a time and conceived the world's greatest single fresco in the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.