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Michelangelo
Leeann Ream
AP European History
Period 1
Ash
The Renaissance
The Renaissance blossomed into Europe, specifically
Florence, Italy, at the very close of the thirteenth century. There
were two flavors: the Italian Renaissance and the Northern
Renaissance.
The Italian Renaissance was characterized by
humanism (a movement toward increasing intellect through study
of the classics), individualism (interest in oneself and one’s own
ideas), secularism (a shift in interest from the spiritual world to a
more physical one), and scientific naturalism (study of the natural
world). At the time, Italy was a collection of city-states that had
grown wealthy and politically powerful overtime through trade.
Aristocratic families supported the arts and oftentimes had works
commissioned.
Renaissance art in Italy focused on realism and
perspective. Individuals were depicted, and artists focused
heavily on anatomy. Many artists thrived during this period. One
of the most notable was Michelangelo.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was an Italian
sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and
engineer. His art revolutionized the
Western world during the Renaissance.
He was known as the greatest artist, and
many of his works such as The Creation
of Adam and the Sistine chapel ceiling
are still famous today.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 –
18 February 1564)
David 1501-1504
David
One of Michelangelo’s most renowned
works, this seventeen-foot male nude in marble was
heavily influenced by the Renaissance ‘isms’. While
David, the biblical character, is obviously strongly
connected to The Church, the work came to hold
political significance as he was seen as a protector
of civil liberties. This ties into individualism (for
personal reasons) and humanism (for political
reasons). Almost ironically, David represents
secularism as well. A towering model of a nude
male hardly paralleled Church ideals at the time.
Michelangelo’s stunning portrayal of human anatomy
is a gift to the boom in scientific naturalism of the
period.
David
“…nor has there ever been seen a pose so
easy, or any grace to equal that in this
work, or feet, hands and head so well in
accord, one member with another, in
harmony, design, and excellence of
artistry.” –Vasari on Michelangelo’s David
While other prominent artists of
the time depicted a victorious David
looming over the defeated Goliath,
Michelangelo took a different approach.
With an almost invisible sling (emphasizing
his use of brain over bran), David is
portrayed at the moment he decides to
challenge his historical foe. The
Renaissance was a time of change, and
the people of the time knew it. They took it
upon themselves to decide that they, as
individuals, would strike out in search of a
brighter future and challenge the ideals
held by individuals for centuries.
David, brow furrowed, body tensed, preparing for battle
Bibliography
Wikipedia
Smarthistory
Renaissance notes
God and Adam’s outstretched hands from Michelangelo’s infamous The Creation of Adam