Final answer:
The correct option is B. The art movement that preceded the Renaissance in Italy, also known as the Proto-Renaissance or Late Gothic period, transitioned from the Middle Ages' ornate art to the more naturalistic and realistic style that would define the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that correctly describes the Proto-Renaissance/Late Gothic Art of Italy is B. The art movement that preceded the Renaissance in Italy. This period, sometimes referred to as Proto-Renaissance or Late Medieval, saw a transition from the ornately decorative art of the Middle Ages toward a more realistic representation that would characterize the Renaissance.
During the late 13th century and early 14th century, artists like Giotto began to incorporate elements in painting and sculpture that would eventually be recognized as Renaissance principles, such as realistic space using linear perspective and a more naturalistic depiction of figures. While the early Renaissance, or Quattrocento, officially started in the 15th century, its foundations were laid in the preceding centuries with the evolution from the Gothic and Romanesque styles evident in Northern Europe and Italy.
This period bridges the Late Gothic art of the 14th century and the early Renaissance of the 15th century in Italy. It reflects a transitional phase marked by evolving artistic styles, moving away from the elaborate ornamentation of Late Gothic towards the renewed interest in classical themes and naturalism characteristic of the Renaissance. Artists during this time, such as Giotto, contributed to a shift in artistic expression, laying the groundwork for the transformative period that followed in the Italian Renaissance.