The significant cultural period that emphasized humanism and the arts during the 14th to 17th centuries is known as the Renaissance. Originating in Italy, the Renaissance marked a revival of classical learning and values derived from ancient Greece and Rome. It championed the importance of human potential, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge through art, literature, and science. Notable figures of the Renaissance include artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, as well as writers such as Dante and Shakespeare. The period laid the groundwork for modern Western thought and significantly influenced various intellectual fields.