The Renaissance took place in Europe during the 14th to 16th centuries with varying local features and causes. It was characterized by a change in the medieval worldview, where the presence of religious motifs was predominant, to the predominance of the reflection about the place of the human being in the universe.
In order for this change to be financially supported, this was done by the wealthy people from the aristocracy and from the rising bourgeoisie who came to be known as mecenae. These people would be honoured, painted and remebered by the artists they financed, publicizing their great cultural wealth.