Bessarion, Cardinal | Renaissance Figure and Scholar

1750-engraving-of-Greek-Cardinal-Bessarion-by-Fritzsch

Born in 1403 and passing away in 1472, Cardinal Bessarion stands as a towering figure in the history of the Renaissance. Not merely a religious leader, Bessarion was a pivotal scholar and a bridge between the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. His life and work played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual revitalization […]

1501 AD Michelangelo begins work in the Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo's-Creation-of-Adam-in-Sistine-Chapel-fresco

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), a towering figure in the world of Renaissance art, embarked on a monumental task in 1501 that would forever alter the course of artistic expression. His undertaking of the Sistine Chapel frescoes not only showcases his exceptional skill but also symbolizes an era marked by a profound appreciation for art and beauty. […]

Ximenes of Cisneros, Cardinal

Archbishop Jiménez de Cisneros portrait - Toledo Cathedral, John of Burgundy.

Ximenes of Cisneros, born Gonzalo Jiménez de Cisneros in 1436 and passing in 1517, remains a pivotal figure in Spanish history. Esteemed as a cardinal and statesman, his influence profoundly shaped the Spanish Inquisition and the founding of the University of Alcalá. His complex legacy intertwines ecclesiastical dedication with political acumen, marking him as a […]

Zabarella Francesco, Cardinal

Francesco Zabarella, renowned medieval canonist.

Francesco Zabarella, an eminent figure in the ecclesiastical and academic realms of the late Middle Ages, was born in 1360 in Padua and passed away in 1417. His life, marked by profound intellectual achievements and significant contributions to canon law, unfolds a narrative that mirrors the intricate and transformative period of the 14th and early […]