Today is the birthday of the famous Italian painter Masaccio, who's full name is Tommaso di Giovanni di Simone Guidi. He was one of the great painters of the Renaissance born in 1401. He was the first painter to try to bring a three dimensional effect into his paintings and to use new techniques like ''vanishing point'' and ''linear perspective''. Michelangelo himself was inspired by him. Some of his famous works include ''The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden'', ''Madonna and the Child'' and ''San Giovenale Triptych''. One of the most important commissions of his career was at the Santa Maria Novella Church in Florence where he painted his famous ''Holy Trinity''. The fresco, which is regarded as his masterpiece, depicts the father, son and the holy spirit represented by the dove. He started off as an artist at the age of 21 but there is no record of him being formally trained or being an apprentice to a master which was usual back in the days. Unfortunately, his career did not last that long as he died very young at the age of 26.