What does the passage suggest was a defining characteristic of the Renaissance?

In the realm of art history, the Renaissance marked a fervent period of cultural, artistic, political, and economic rebirth following the Middle Ages. Characterized by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, this era produced masterpieces from artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who pushed the boundaries of painting, sculpture, and architecture. Humanism, a philosophical stance emphasizing the value and agency of human beings, was a central tenet.