\u2013\u00a0This post was written by\u00a0Megan Witkin \u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. No, we\u2019re not talking about those green-shelled martial arts masters, but rather about the most famous Renaissance paintings produced in Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From High Renaissance artists who frolicked about Florence during the 16th century to the corresponding Northern Renaissance of Germany and the Netherlands, keep scrolling for the ultimate list of famous Renaissance artists and their artwork across Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udccd The Louvre in Paris, France (Denon Wing, 1st floor, room 711)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfc6 10 million visitors per year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her wandering gaze. Her knowing smile. Her mysterious identity. Without question, <\/strong>Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s Mona Lisa<\/em><\/strong> is the most visited, most written about, and most parodied piece of artwork on the planet \u2013 no list of famous Renaissance paintings would be complete without her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Known to locals as La Joconde<\/strong><\/em> (\u201cthe happy one\u201d), this jovial pun comes from the surname of Mona Lisa<\/em>\u2019s commissioner, Francesco del Giocondo. Until recently, the identity of the woman in the painting was a mystery, but has since been confirmed as a portrait of Italian noblewoman Lisa Gherardini<\/strong>, wife of Giocondo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s traveled the world and made headlines on trips to the US, Moscow, and Tokyo, but her permanent home has been the Louvre<\/a> in Paris since 1797. She receives at least 10 million visitors annually<\/strong>, 80% of whom only set foot in the Louvre to see her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 Top Tip: Room 711 is organized with a snaking rope system to keep chaos at bay. You\u2019ll get your turn to get close to the painting, but don\u2019t expect to linger for hours \u2013 as you can imagine, she\u2019s a very busy lady. While you\u2019re there, browse the rest of the Louvre\u2019s extensive collection<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n