What does cinquecento mean?
Cinquecento is an Italian-derived English noun used chiefly for the 1500s, particularly the Italian Renaissance. In this historical sense, it can refer to the period itself, to works produced during it, or to the distinctive artistic style associated with artists of that era. Its literal Italian meaning is “five hundred,” formed from words for five and one hundred. The English historical sense follows the Italian naming of centuries by their hundreds: trecento denotes the 1300s, quattrocento the 1400s, and cinquecento the 1500s. Cinquecento is therefore especially associated with Renaissance painting, sculpture, architecture, and literature, including the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Although the word is fully natural in art-historical writing, it carries a more specific and learned tone than “the 1500s” or “the sixteenth century.” Its numerical meaning survives clearly, but modern English speakers encounter the historical sense far more often.
nounThe 1500s, especially the Italian Renaissance period, or the artistic style and works associated with it. The literal Italian meaning is “five hundred.”
- The 1500s, especially the Italian Renaissance period, or its artistic style and cultural output.
- Five hundred; the literal meaning of the Italian term.
"The museum's collection includes several masterpieces of Cinquecento painting."
"The museum's collection includes several masterpieces of Cinquecento painting."
"Critics often contrast the restrained elegance of Cinquecento art with the drama of the Baroque."
The plural is rare; the singular is normally used when referring to the historical period or its artistic style.
"Two cinquecentos make one thousand."
Cinquecento literally means “five hundred,” yet its most famous job is naming an entire century: the 1500s.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does cinquecento come from?
Cinquecento comes from Italian and literally means “five hundred,” formed from cinque, “five,” and cento, “hundred,” which were inherited from Latin quinque and centum. Italian uses number words based on hundreds to designate centuries, so cinquecento came to denote the century beginning in 1500. English borrowed the term for that century and its artistic culture, alongside trecento for the 1300s and quattrocento for the 1400s.
How cinquecento is actually used
A borrowing from Italian, ordinarily capitalized when it names the historical period or its artistic style. Its literal sense, “five hundred,” is uncommon in modern English compared with its established historical sense.
Easily confused with cinquecento
Cinquecento refers to the 1500s, whereas quattrocento refers to the 1400s.