renaissance

Generally known as "The Renaissance". The period of European history from around 1450-1600, when knowledge of and interest in classic Greek and Roman art and literature flourished and led to massive changes in European art and literature, predominately in Italy and France but also seen in England, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany).

Some of the larger names associated with this period are Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo and William Shakespeare. The word comes from the French word for "rebirth".