RENAISSANCE PERIOD

14th - 17th C
Re-birth or Revival of Cultural Awareness
Historical & cultural movement
Spanning period
Location
Renewed interest of Renaissance
◦ Roman Art & Design
◦ Greek Art & Design
Area of emphasis for Renaissance
◦ Study of Human Beings
◦ Environment
◦ Science & other intellectual aspect
◦ Philosophy
◦ Literature
◦ Art & design
◦ Politics
Encompass Of Renaissance
Revival of learning based on classical
sources
Rise of courtly
Papal patronage
Development of perspective in painting
Advancements in science
Emphasis Of Renaissance Scholars
Study of humanist method
Search for realism
Human emotion in art
Renaissance Historiography
Long and complex
Debate of usefulness of renaissance
 Cultural "advance" from the M.A
Period of pessimism and nostalgia for the
classical age
19TH C Historians
Clear "break" from medieval thought and practice
Continuity between the two eras
Incorrect to classify any historical period
Better
Worse
Early Renaissance Centered in Italy, 15th Century

Period of creative and intellectual activity,

Artists broke away from the restrictions of
Byzantine Art
Study of natural world for perfect
understanding of
Anatomy
Perspective
Northern Renaissance Centered in Germany and the
Netherlands, 15th-16th C
Influence of Northern European Tradition
of G.A
Major influence on
 Technical advancements of the renaissance in Italy
 Philosophical advancements
Minor concerned
Studies of anatomy
Linear perspective
Northern artists styles
Masters of technique
Beautiful & delicate detail
High Renaissance Centered in Italy, Early 16th
C
Culmination of the artistic developments
of early renaissance
Great explosions of creative genius in
history
Great artists of history
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Raphael Sanzio
Leonardo da Vinci
High Renaissance Art Mannerism
Mannerism Europe, Mid to Late 16th Century
Continuation of ideas of Raphael and
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Period of technical accomplishment
Overly Stylized
Mannerist Art characterized by

Complex Composition
Muscular
Elongated figures in complex poses
Renaissance Men / Great Men

◦ Florence Birthplace Of Renaissance

◦ Result Of Luck

◦ Great Men Born There By Chance

 Michelangelo Buonarroti
Raphael Sanzio
Leonardo da Vinci
 Sources Presented for Origin of
Renaissance
 Writings
 paintings

Renaissance's Origin
◦ Assimilation of Greek and Arabic knowledge
◦ Social and political structures in Italy
◦ The Black Death
◦ Cultural conditions in Florence
Assimilation of Knowledge
 Rediscovery of ancient texts
 Preserved work
 Monastic
Libraries at Cordoba
Educational institutions
 Translations of Greek and Arabic texts into Latin
Works of ancient Greek and Hellenistic writers
Muslim scientists and philosophers
 Imported into the Christian world (crusaders)
provide
 New intellectual material for European scholars
 Knowledge assimilation from
Spain
Middle East
 Study of mathematics & its Flourishment
Social and political structures in Italy
 Lack of political entity
 Division into smaller city states and territories
 Unusual social climate
 Emergence of a cultural efflorescence
famous for
 Italy merchant republics
◦ Republic of Florence Producer of Silk & Jewelry
◦ Republic of Venice Producer of Fine Glass
 Trading Centers
 Intellectual crossroads Ideas from far corners of the globe
 Commission of large
 Public
Private artistic projects
Black Death
Devastation in Florence
Shift in world view of people in 14th C
More on their lives on earth,
Rather than on spirituality and the afterlife
Manifested in sponsorship of religious works
of art
Cultural conditions in Florence
Cultural movement
Several features unique to Florentine culture
Role of Medici family
 Patronization
Stimulation of arts
Religion in Renaissance
Emphasis Ideals of Humanism
Secularaspects
Theology presented
 People perceived the relationship between man and god
Followers of the humanist method
Thomas More
John Calvin
Better Educated Middle Class
◦ Fascinated by human achievement
◦ Mankind shapes the destiny
◦ Inspiration for high point of human
achievement
Humanism
 Not a philosophy
 Method of learning
Humanists
 Study ancient texts in original
 Appraise them through a combination of
 Reasoning
 Empirical evidence
Humanist Education Study of
 Poetry
 Grammar
 Ethics
 Rhetoric
Humanists Assertion
 Genius of man
 Unique and extraordinary ability of the human
mind
Features Of Renaissance Art
 Development of highly realistic linear perspective
 Contribution of Writings of architects
 Filippo Brunelleschi
Leon Alberti
 Perspective an artistic technique
 Realism in arts
 Depiction of beauty of nature
 Study of
 Light
 Shadow
 Human anatomy
 Development of techniques by painters
 Development of Vibrant artistic culture
Development of painting in Italy
Technically
Stylistically
 Introduction of
Oil paint
Canvas
 Inspiration for artists
Depiction of themes of everyday life
Naturalism
 Flanders Prosperous Weaving Center
 Trade with Italy
 Education of Italian noble families
 Flanders influence
 German
English
Bohemian
French
Reviving of art of panel painting
Manuscript illumination
Panel painters & manuscript illuminators
Manuscript painting techniques
◦ Sophisticated
◦ Realistic
◦ Subject matter painted in larger format
◦ Naturalism in the art
Northern painters
◦ Depictions of objects and people from the
everyday world
◦ Use of oil paint
Luminous qualities
Rich effect
Trademarks Of Northern Painting

Naturalism
Attention to specific detail
Mysticism in religion
Perspective
Fewer depictions of
Nude &
Observed anatomy
Landscape painting
Science in Renaissance
Scientific revolution
 Astronomy
Physics
Biology
Anatomy
Flourishing discipline of mathematics
Development of Engineering Techniques
Intermixing of science and art
Leonardo da Vinci

Observational drawings of anatomy and nature

 Flowering Elements in Art and
Philosophy
Decline in power of church in Europe
Rise of strong nation states
Increase in Education
Richness of Middle Class
Increased interest & emphasis on
ancient philosophers, particularly Plato
Development of printing in mid-15thC,
spread of new learning throughout Europe
 Renaissance Spreads
 Birthplace in Florence

First to the rest of Italy

Soon to the rest of Europe

 Invention of printing press

Rapid transmission of ideas

 Ideas Diversification Adaptation to
Changed local culture
Regional and National Movements
of Renaissance

◦ The Italian Renaissance

◦ The English Renaissance
◦ The German Renaissance
◦ The Northern Renaissance
◦ The French Renaissance
◦ The Renaissance in Netherlands
◦ The Polish Renaissance
◦ The Spanish Renaissance
◦ Renaissance in Eastern Europe
On Angel's Wings
Lost-wax, cast bronze sculpture
15thC Italian Renaissance art
Natural finish
Hardwood base
Highly detailed
Dimension
 12" x 10" x 13"
Temple Bronze Chest
Inspired by ancient Architecture
Hand-rubbed natural texture
Highly detailed exterior
Pyramid top
Shaped feet
Dimension
 9 " x 9" x 9 1/2"
American Spirit
Lost-wax cast bronze sculpture
Dramatically captured at moment of
taking flight
 Free-standing base of eagle
◦ Natural Finish
◦ Highly Detailed
Dimension
12" x 12" x 13"
Copper Collection
Beautiful
round lid
Hand hammered
◦ Spiral shape
◦ Round
Dimension
◦ 8" D
◦ 11" H
Venetian Inlaid Chest
(Souvenir, Jewelry Box)
Beautifully Inlaid
Hardwood
Octagonal Shape
Floral Pattern
Hand-rubbed Finish
Dimension
10" x 10" x 7"