Leon Battista Alberti was an Italian architect, artist, and writer born in 1404. He is best known for his contributions to the fields of architecture and art during the Renaissance. Alberti wrote influential treatises, including "De re aedificatoria," which laid the groundwork for modern architectural theory. In addition to his architectural work, Alberti was a skilled painter and a pioneer in the study of perspective. His ideas helped shape the visual arts, making him a key figure in the development of Renaissance humanism. Alberti's legacy continues to influence artists and architects today.