Why did Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael study Masaccio’s art?

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael studied the work of Masaccio because his frescoes served as a foundational model for the aesthetic principles of the Early Renaissance.12

These High Renaissance masters were drawn to Masaccio’s innovative approach to painting, which included:

• Monumentality and Realism: Masaccio utilized contemporary advances in anatomy to create weighty, dignified human figures that possessed a sense of sculptural solidity.12
• Use of Light: He employed chiaroscuro—the manipulation of light and shade—to give his figures a three-dimensional, lifelike quality.123
• Rational Space: Masaccio was a pioneer in the use of linear perspective, creating deep, clearly articulated environments that integrated the space of the painting with the space of the observer.24
• Humanity: He emphasized human emotion and purposeful activity, moving away from stylized medieval traditions toward a more naturalistic and human-centered narrative.2

Michelangelo, in particular, demonstrated his admiration by creating early drawings based on figures from Masaccio’s Tribute Money.1