Beginning approximately around the year 1400 an era began in Europe; one who would shape the ideas and lives of men. This era of rebirth or renaissance came in the 15th century through the revival of classical texts. A central effect of the Renaissance was the production of a new intellectual idea: humanism. Humanism is defined as “[t]erm invented in the 19th century. . . [regarding] developments relating to the revival of classical literature and learning in European culture from approximately 1300 to 1600” left its mark across Europe leaving nothing intact, not even the artist. Both Northern and Southern art would be influenced by humanism, but in different ways ranging from changes in the human form, new choices of subject matter, and new religious purposes. Southern art refers to art created in what is now Italy, however, at the time Italy consisted of many separate and often warring nations. This peninsula had two important advantages that influenced the way Italy made art: Rome and Venice. Italy began to produce a type of art literally influenced by humanism. Over the course of the 15th and 16th centuries both the human form and the subject itself transitioned from two-dimensional religious settings to ideal representations of mythology. It is in Italy that names such as Brunelleschi and Donatello traveled to Rome to study the lessons of antiquity regarding architecture and the human form; this translates directly into Brunelleschi's dome and arches, even Donatello's Gattamelata equestrian monument and his David. All are examples of revival of the ways of antiquity. These lessons of the ancients developed a new type of beauty. Haughton describes this affection: “The idealized figures of Florentine art are a composite of perfect...... middle of paper...... welcome a new style: Mannerism defined as a bridge between the Renaissance and baroque. As time pushed Europeans forward, there is no doubt that the influence of the ancients was not over, but would continue to influence European art and culture for many generations to come. Works Cited Duke, James O. "Humanism." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. http://0-www.oxfordartonline.com.library.acaweb.org/subscriber/article/grove/art/T039396 (accessed 12 February 2011). Haughton, Neil. 2004. “Perceptions of Beauty in Renaissance Art.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 3, no. 4: 229-233. Academic research completed, EBSCOhost (accessed February 12, 2011).Wundram, Manfred. "Mannerism." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. http://0-www.oxfordartonline.com.library.acaweb.org/subscriber/article/grove/art/T053829 (accessed February 12, 2011).