During the Italian Renaissance, which spanned roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, significant cultural contributions were made in art, literature, science, and philosophy. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo revolutionized painting and sculpture with techniques like perspective and chiaroscuro, capturing human emotion and beauty. Writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Machiavelli explored themes of individualism, politics, and human experience, laying the groundwork for modern literature. The Renaissance also saw advancements in science, with figures like Galileo challenging traditional views of the universe. This period emphasized a revival of classical knowledge, shaping Western culture and thought.