The Italian low Renaissance marks a pivotal time in art history when Italy shifted from the Gothic style of the Middle Ages to the Renaissance style that the world is now familiar with. The change in technique was well received by the new ruling class. As Italy began to recover from the economic chaos of the Middle Ages wealthy, independent, city-states became fiercely competitive in their attempts to draw the best and brightest artists and thinkers to their local.
A new class of wealthy merchant-rulers developed and in their pursuits to obtain the finest of goods and services they devoured art. With interest and funding, art was free to grow past portraiture and religious commissions into an expression of skill and mastery.
