1. Unknown – Wilton Diptych Richard II presented to the Virgin and Child by his Patron Saint John the Baptist and Saints Edward and Edmund – all are represented as traditional icons

2. Unknown – Baptism of Christ Richard II presented to the Virgin and Child by his Patron Saint John the Baptist and Saints Edward and Edmund – all are represented as traditional icons.

3. Da Vinci – The Last Supper Even in a traditional religious scene, the human drama of the moment overshadows the image’s religious significance.

4. Leonardo Da Vinci – Vitruvian Man Da Vinci’s analytical portrait of man (which has been beamed to potential alien observers) reflects the scientific mentality of his age.

5. Leonardo Da Vinci – Womb Da Vinci’s medical sketches reveal a irrepressible scientific curiosity in an age where such activities were seen as illegal and immoral.

6. Michaelangelo – Mona Lisa Renaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. This famous example demonstrates the growing importance of the individual.

7. Michaelangelo – The Pieta Renaissance art was heavily influenced by the Humanist movement. Here, the religious theme is overshadowed by the personal drama of mother and son.

10. Michaelangelo – St. Peter’s Basilica Renaissance art and architecture were heavily influenced by the Classical models that lay close at hand – compare this to Rome’s Pantheon.

12. Van Dyke – Charles I Van Dykes portrait of England’s doomed king employs a variety of contemporary artistic conventions – including the horse as a symbol of (ironically) political authority.

13. Rembrandt – Self Portrait Rembrandt portrays himself employing two of the features for which he became famous: a dramatic use of light and an honesty in depicting his subjects.

14. Diego Velazquez – Las Meninas Although painted in Spain in the 17 th century, this “family portrait” has attracted the attention of postmodern artists as an example of self-reflexive art.