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Kiersley Talbot
Renaissance and its Significance
If the renaissance had to be summed up into one word, the most fitting may be; a “rebirth!” This
time of great change, which spanned over a few hundred years, transformed and reshaped Europe in
a monumental way. It was a total rebirth of European culture and knowledge, a result of moving
forward and advancing from the ignorant and monotonous ways of life which consisted of the Middle
Ages.
The renaissance allowed new light to be shed to the arts and literature, while also for a gaining
of knowledge overall. Time was dedicated to studying the revived classics of roman and greek
mythology, and it became an inspiration for many. Artists developed a linear perspective, allowing art
to become something it had never been before, and artists such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci studied
the human body with a strong regard to its natural form, making the art more realistic. Architecture also
evolved greatly, and the first universities were founded for those who now had a taste for more
knowledge.
The renaissance marks one of the first times people as a whole actively sought for answers to
questions, making a monumental impact on society as a whole for years to come.
Giotto di Bondone
Born in a hilltop farmhouse of florence in 1266 and the son of a blacksmith, Giotto was asked to
be an apprentice by one of the most highly renowned painters in Tuscany, after being discovered
drawing an exceptionally lifelike picture on a rock of one of the sheeps he was shepherding at the
time. Giotto thrived under his apprentice, leading to him being deemed by some as “the one who
reintroduced realistic expression into Western art; furthermore, his art displays sometimes
unprecedented iconography and self-reflexive imagery.” An italian painter and architect, Giotto is also
generally considered to be the first in a line of great artists who contributed to the italian renaissance.
Working in the very earliest part of the renaissance, he was the first artist to break away from
byzantine styles and move towards naturalism and a clear sense of space. But Giotto’s biggest gift to
the renaissance was his “unparalleled grasp of human emotion which he was able to transfer in
astoundingly accurate detail into his work.”
Madonna and Child
The painting
depicts the virgin
Madonna, and
child. There is
great detail in this
painting.
Giotto's Campanile (bell tower)
This tower proves
Giotto’s great skill for
architectural design.
Peruzzi Altarpiece
Peruzzi Altarpiece and the “isms”
Individualism- This piece greatly displays individualism. Although the focus may seem to be on
Jesus, the four other individuals still get an almost equal focus, all painted with equal detail. Each
individual also has its own and unique pose, and they all seem to have very separate and distinct
emotions occurring. Each individual in this piece is highlighted and expressed in their own way.
Secularism- This piece does not display secularism. This is because this piece depicts Jesus
and the cross at it’s center, the complete opposite of secularism.
Humanism- This piece does represent humanism overall because humanism has to do with the
arts, and this is a piece of art. Some of the figures are also holding books, which could represent the
literature sid of the renaissance.
Scientific Naturalism- Since this painting focuses more on the religious side and not on the
scientific side, it does not really display scientific naturalism. But, the way in which the people painted
appear to look look so real may count towards some of the “naturalism.”
Peruzzi Alterpiece and its Greatness
This piece is considered to be one of the great works of the renaissance because it adequately
displays two of the “isms.” It also embodies many of the criterias of renaissance art because it:
-includes people that are painted to look very realistic and human, appearing 3-d
-many mediums are used, such as paint, acrylics, and wood.
-displays naturalism
-emotion is clearly displayed
-astounding detail
-linear perspective
-bodies are in natural form
Peruzzi Altarpiece and the Spirit of
the Renaissance
Although this pieces touches on the religion, it still embodies the spirit of the renaissance,
largely because of its strong display of individualism. It shows men who look intuitive yet
curious, which is largely what this period was all about. The fact that some of the men are also
holding books embodies the importance of literature and knowledge that so largely contributed
to the spirit of this period. One of the people in this painting also seems to be a woman who
seems equal to the men, a revolutionary and new idea during this period.