Renaissance art, painting, sculpture, architecture, music and literature produced between the 14th and 16th century in Europe was influenced by an increased awareness of nature, a revival of classical learning and a more individualistic view of man. <br><br>Renaissance Venice distinguished itself from its European counterparts in the sheer quantity of work produced. Unlike artists in other countries, the artists and architects of Venice were highly successful in their trade. Commissions from wealthy benefactors, the state, and the Church provided a level of job security not found elsewhere; and, as a result, a huge number of masterpieces were produced. <br><br>One of the more influential artists (whose artwork incidentally inspired a modern cocktail) was Giovanni Bellini, who transformed Venetian art by introducing oil paints. Traditionally artists used pigment mixed with egg yolk and water, a method known as <em>tempera</em>, but Bellini copied the use of oil paints from Northern painters, namely Jan Van Eyck. Oil paints produced luminous colours, enabling Bellini to create works of art that revolutionised Venetian painting.<br><br>Bellini’s use of luminous colours inspired restaurateur Giuseppe Cipriani (the owner of Harry’s Bar in Venice) to name his luminous pink cocktail ‘Bellini’ after the artist<sup>1</sup>.<br>