In Europe, from about 1400 onwards, there is a revival of Classical learning accompanied by the development of Renaissance Humanism, which places greater emphasis on the role of the individual in society than had been the case during the Medieval period.

Buildings are ascribed to specific architects–Brunelleschi, Alberti, Michelangelo, Palladio and the cult of the individual begins.

There is still no dividing line between artist, architect and engineer, or any of the related vocations, and the appellation is often one of regional preference.A revival of the Classical style in architecture is accompanied by a burgeoning of science and engineering, affecing the proportions and structure of buildings.

At this stage, it is still possible for an artist to design a bridge as the level of structural calculations involved is within the scope of the generalist.