amalgama
mixture of different elements
apocalyptic
foreboding imminent disaster or final doom
avaricious
greedy
colossus
a statue of gigantic size and proportions
commission
a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties
excommunicate
to deprive a person of the rights of church membership
fresco
the art of painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based pigments
gibbet
an upright post with a projecting arm for hanging the bodies of executed criminals as a warning; gallows
guild
a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen
heretic
a dissenter from established church dogma
humanism
the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance
impervious
not capable of being damaged or harmed
incarnation
the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form
mercenary
a soldier hired into foreign service
militaristic
exaltation of military virtues and ideals
overture
an initiative toward agreement or action
patron
a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer
Renaissance
the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts retribution the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter
sfumato
the definition of form in painting without abrupt outline by the blending of one tone into another
