1400 CE - 1600 CE. The Italian Renaissance was a broader cultural movement that encompassed advances in literature, science, and philosophy, in addition to the arts. Artists like Raphael and Botticelli flourished during this time, producing works that blended Christian and mythological imagery in new and innovative ways.Classical mythology, particularly stories of the gods, heroes, and monsters of ancient Greece and Rome, was a significant source of inspiration for Renaissance artists. These themes allowed them to explore human emotions, beauty, and the power of the divine.