Who is known for coining the term "Renaissance" and is regarded as the first Italian art historian?

Giorgio Vasari is recognized for coining the term "Renaissance," which translates to "rebirth" in Italian. He used this term to describe the cultural and artistic revival that occurred in Europe, particularly in Italy, during the 14th to the 16th centuries. Vasari was also one of the first individuals to write a systematic history of art, particularly focusing on the lives and works of artists of his time. His book, "Le Vite dei più eccellenti pittori, scultori, e architettori" (The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects), published in 1550, is considered a foundational text in art history. This historical framework helped shape the understanding of the Renaissance period in art and culture, establishing Vasari as a pivotal figure in the field.

The other individuals mentioned, while influential in their own right, do not hold the same distinction regarding the term "Renaissance" or the role of being the first Italian art historian. Picasso, for instance, was a key figure in modern art but operated in a different time frame and focus. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, although iconic artists of the Renaissance, do not have the historical credit for