Renaissance furniture was characterized by rectilinear and ______ ornament and proportions.

• A. Ornate
• B. Classical
• C. Baroque
• D. Rococo

Answer: (B)

Renaissance furniture reflects a revival of classical Greek and Roman ideas of order, proportion, and human scale. The design favors rectilinear forms—straight edges and balanced, symmetrical layouts—with restrained, geometric ornament that follows a measured harmony. This classical approach comes from the period’s humanist interest in Vitruvian principles, aiming for furniture that relates to the body and the surrounding space in a clear, rational way. That’s why the correct term is classical ornament and proportions. In contrast, the other styles push into more decorative curves and dramatic effects: Baroque and Rococo emphasize movement and ornate detailing, while simply “ornate” can describe decoration without the disciplined restraint of classical proportion.