The Renaissance was a period of great creative and intellectual activity, during which artists broke away from the restrictions of Byzantine Art. Throughout the 15th century, artists studied the natural world in order to perfect their understanding of such subjects as anatomy and perspective.
Among the many great artists of this period were Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Paolo Uccello and Piero della Francesca.
During this period there was a related advancement of Gothic Art centered in Germany and the Netherlands, known as the Northern Renaissance.
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/early-renaissance.html
Sandro Botticelli - The Birth of Venus
Domenico Ghirlandaio - The Last Supper
Paolo Uccello - Micheletto da Cotignola Engages in Battle
Piero Della Francesca - Madonna and Child with Saints (Montefeltro Altarpiece)
Artistic Achievements Throughout History 