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RENNAISSANCE
15th century to 17th century A.D.
characterized by humanism, threedimensionality, return to ancient
culture and Christian ideas
Short version
Remember the beauty of the Greek and
Roman sculpture
I remember, I saw them close in
Italy.
The world went from the expression of idealized beauty of
Greek sculpture and the realism of Roman sculpture to the
symbolic and decorative (?) art of the Middle Ages.
What is the Renaissance?
THE ”REBIRTH” OF CIVILIZATION AFTER 1000
YEARS OF THE MIDDLE AGES ALSO REFERED TO
AS THE DARK AGES.
The Renaissance refers to this rebirth of classical
learning and knowledge and to the ensuing
rebirth of European culture.
WHY Did It Happen?
The Black Plague theory for the rise of the Renaissance
In the 14th Century, it is estimated that up to onethird or more of the population of Europe died of
the plague.
• The plague was indiscriminate; it affected kings
and serfs, priests and peasants, the pious and
the sinful.
• Fervent Christian beliefs did provided protection
from it.
• This led people to think more about life rather
than the afterlife. During the Middle (Dark) Ages
the people of Europe believed their time on
earth was to prove there worth for entering
heaven. Their emphasis was more on the
hereafter than the here and now.
• This led to a growth of learning about the world
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around them.
Which created the intellectual climate for the
emergence of Humanism- the interest in man
and his relationship with the world around him.
Humanists recreated classical styles in art,
literature, and architecture. Humanists believed
that by studying the classics, they could
understand people and the world better.
The humanists emphasized the importance of
human values instead of religious beliefs.
Renaissance humanists were often devout
Christians, but their promotion of secular, or
non-religious, values often put them at odds
with the church.
The rediscovering of Ancient Knowledge
• As the knowledge of Greek declined during the transition
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to the Middle Ages, the Latin West found itself cut off
from its Greek philosophical and scientific texts roots.
After the plague there was a shortage of manpower and
goods …. so they had to trade with the larger world
While trading with the east they (mostly Italians)
rediscovered that the Arab and Jewish scholars had
preserved and translated the writings of the ancient
Greeks (into Arabic with commentaries) in their libraries.
(such as Aristotle, Plato and Socrates) This rediscovered
knowledge created the intellectual climate for the
emergence of Humanism- the interest in man and his
relationship with the world around him.
• The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg
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(1450s) spread the new knowledge to the
common man
New Inventions- invention of more sophisticated
and practical scientific and nautical instruments.
Also ancient sculptures were also rediscovered
..some in caves, some discovered by Italians
excavating ancient statues in their local towns
many of them damaged
What else was going on at this time
• About 1450, Age of Exploration- explorers like:
Bartholomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama,
Christopher Columbus-this was the beginning of
the Age of Exploration.- search of knowledge
• As well as wars, the inquisition and lots of
infighting between countries and the city states
in Italy.
Sounds lovely this must have been
a peaceful time….NOT !
City-states in Italy-Where the Renaissance started.
• Northern Italy was divided into a
number of warring city-states, the
most powerful being Milan, Florence,
Pisa, Siena, Genoa, Ferrara, and
Venice.
• Northern Italy was further divided
by the long running battle for
supremacy between the forces of
the Papacy and of the Holy Roman
Empire. Each city aligned itself with
one faction or the other, yet there
was internal divisions within the
cities. They used mercenaries.
• There were also wars with France
(supporter of the Emperor) 1494
•It was a time of the bloody
• The Sack of Rome by Holy Roman
Inquisition of the marranos and
Emperor, Charles V 1527.(Spanish
Jews of Spain 1478-92
German troops)
Emergence of the wealthy merchant
• Italy became the centre of the trade between
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Europe and The East (remember Marco Polo)
Wealthy families (usually merchants/successful
businessmen and bankers) and the church had
amassed enough wealth
How do they nouveau rich impress others with
their new wealth- elaborate houses, jewelry,
parties (think the masquerade party in Romeo
and Juliet) and commissioning art, art and more
art.
They became patrons of the arts, and hired the
best of the best- the emergence of celebrity
artists instead of anonymous craftsmen
Florence and the Patrons
• Florence, located in the hill country of north-central Italy,
prospered because of the wool industry. During most of
the Renaissance, wealthy merchants dominated Florence.
• The Medicis- In the 15th century, the leading families of
Florence decided they needed a strong person in charge
to lead them against the growing threat of rival cities.
They chose Cosimo de Medici, a wealthy banker, to take
control of the government (the original
business of the Medicis was
pharmaceuticals which are reflected in
their coat fo arms). Cosimo maintained
the appearance of republican government,
but he appointed his relatives and people he could control
to important positions. When Cosimo
died in 1464, his son and grandson
continued his policies.
Points to Remember
•flourishing of artistic and scientific activities
beginning in Italy in the mid 1300s
•The rise of the individual (The great invention of the Italian
Renaissance was the creation of the "individual," the notion that human
experiences and abilities should not be trivialized but in fact celebrated—
that man was, in fact, "the measure of all things.)"
•a reconnection of the west with classical antiquity
• the absorption of knowledge: mathematics, science(Copernicus and the Heliocentric Universe-1514 ) and Inventions
(Gutenberg’s printing press-1448)
•The awakening of a desire for beauty
•Start of the age of exploration
•a focus on the importance of living well in the
present
Art is going to evolve bringing
back the beauty, proportions and
realism of the classics.
Retro Greek/Roman art with a
modern humanistic twist
The following slides illustrate the
evolution from Gothic art to Early
Renaissance.
•
Cimabue
GothicMadonna of
Sana Trinita
GIOTTO
•1280 Byzantine•gold background
(symbol of heavenly
light)
•Flat chair
•All the angels have
the same faces and
the prophets have
the same faces they play the same
role
•Modonna face not
natural (looks like
an alien)
Giotto was an
apprentice to
Madonna-1310
Cimbue
An artist from Florence named Giotto was one of the first to paint in this new style.
Giotto lived more than a century before the beginning of the Renaissance, but his
paintings show real emotion. The faces are more individual and realistic. The bodies
look solid( more shading as well), and the background of his paintings shows
perspective. The art produced during the Renaissance would build upon Giotto’s style.
Student beats the Master
Gentile Da FabriarioAdoration
of
the
Maji
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Painted for the Strozzi
family, another
merchant family in
Florence (textiles) and
rivals of Medici. Strozzi
was exiled from Florence
by Cosimo Meici.
Fabriario lived three
years in of the Strozzi’s
houses while painting
this commission
(remember the artists
worked for commission,
they had little say in the
subject manner).
The painting is very
vibrant with real gold
and silver in a relief
form ( this image does
not do it justice). Carved
plaster would first be
placed on the painting,
then gold leaved. The
painting would happen
after.
1423 3mx 2.8mTempra on wood
• Landscape is painted
• Realistic- real animals
• Depth- spatial perspective
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and some lineal
perspective
Mary is in blue- shows
importance, blue was
made from ground Lapis
Luzure from Afghanistanextremely expensive
Commissioned by Strozzi
so the Magi are wearing
the rich clothes from their
company (a very
expensive ad- you want to
be important enough to
meet the Virgin Mary
wear Strozzi fabrics)
The artist is looking
forward, and the patron is
beside him holding a bird
Paolo Uccello : Battle of San Romano,
c. 1455, tempera on wood, 3.2 x 1.8 m, National Gallery, London.
•Where the Florentines beat the Duke of Milan (fighting between city-states)
•Use of Perspective and Foreshortening
Paolo Uccello : Battle of San Romanoc.
1438, tempera on wood, 2.2 x 1.8 m, Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
Commisioned by Cosimo Medici
Flippo Lippi (what a character)
• Parents died when he was young and he was brought up by
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his aunt from the ages of 2- 8 years old
She couldn’t handle him so she sent him off to the
monastery to become a monk
It is also said that-Early on he was captured by Moors whilst
out boating and sold into slavery in Africa, then later freed
and returned to Italy
He was not a very good monk- he had many, many,
girlfriends
But he was an excellent artist, but he could not stick to it
(ADD?). Cosimo (the elder) Medici commissioned a painting
by Flippo it took hem 7 years
Once Cosimo locked him in his room for days but he
climbed out of the window using sheets to visit his loveLucrezia Buti (who was also a nun)
It’s said they had two children together
Coronation of the Virgin – 1439-47
Filippo Lippi and Assistance
John the Baptistpatron saint of
Florence and chosen
personal saint of the
patron (always
wears fur)
The bored Monk is Flippo,
bored of the painting,
what else?
We’re suppose to be looking att he Virgin Mary above, but we are drawn to
the woman looking at us on the bottom right (also many angels are looking at
her- that’s Lucrezia Buti , his lover (also wearing the same colours as Mary)
This was the
patron- he died
before Flippo
finished so he
looks dead-it
reads in latin- “He
finished the
work”
Filippo LippiMadonna with Child
and Two Angels1465
•Belief that the young
woman is Lucrezia , the
num scandalously loved by
the friar/painter, who gave
him a daughter and a son
(it has been suggested the
little boy angel is Filipino
who grew up to be a
famous painter himself)
•Notice how they are
stepping out from the
frame
•Very delicate composition
•The background (painting
within a painting) seems to
anticipate the future
expressive landscapes of
Leonardo da Vinci
Fashionable look in the Renaissance
Duke and Duchess of Urbino 1472 (realism of Rome-Humanism)
Piero della Francesca
•High forehead (plucked or shaved hairline
•Blonde hair (dyed hair using________)
•Pale skin (the high class did nto work in the field) used white makeup with______
•She was unusually pale because she was already dead and he was using her
death mask
Andrea Mantega- Dead Christ
(c. 1490Tempera on canvas, 68 x 81 cm, Milan
•He used extreme
foreshortening. (Parts get
smaller as the recede in
space)
•Looking in we see an
almost monstrous
spectacle: a heavy
corpse, seemingly
swollen by the
exaggerated
foreshortening. At the
front are two enormous
feet with holes in them;
as well as the nail holes
in the hands; on the left,
some tear-stained,
staring masks.
•Strong realism-the
wrinkled face of Christ
Sandro BotticelliFlorentine painter neglected for
centuries but now probably the
best-loved painter of the Early
Renaissance.
Sandro trained with Filippo Lippi,
who was the most important
influence on his style. By
temperament he belonged to the
current of late 15th-century art
whose art sometimes bordering on
sentimentality, a feminine grace,
and an emphasis on the
ornamental and evocative
capabilities of line.
Adoration of the Maji- 1475 1.11m x 1.34 m
Who’s who- If you’re a Medici your’re good enough to meet the Holy Family
(remember the Strozzi’s commissioned artwork on the same theme)
1. Lorenzo the Magnificent
2. Poliziano
3. Pico della Mirandola
4. Gaspare Lami
(a broker who footed the bill)
5. Cosimo the Elder
6. Piero the Gouty
(Lorenzo's Dad)
7. Guiliano de' Medici
(Lorenzo's younger
brother, later murdered
in the Pazzi Conspiracy)
8. Giovanni de' Medici
(younger brother of
Piero the Gouty)
9. Filippo Strozzi
10. Joannis Argiropulos
11. Sandro Botticelli
12. Lorenzo Tornabuoni
Botticelli-Primevera
Uffizi Gallery Florence(1481-82)- Tempra on wood 2.0 m x 3.1 m
Mercury- herald of Jovesymbol of knowledgewisking away the clouds of
winter
Cupid- blidfolded god of Love
Winged Zephyrus
who chased and
possessed the nymph
Chloris and them
married her giving
her the gift of
germinating flowers
Smiling figure –
transformation of
Chloris into Flora,
the Roman
goddess of
Spring
Venus as a symbol of
Three Gracesspring, being adorned with
may be a
the flowers of the three
symbol of
Graces
Liberality
• Example of the Roman/Greek culture on the Renaissance- not a Christian
related theme
•
It’s seen as the return to a golden age in Florence
Botticelli- Birth of Venus
(1482)- Tempra on canvas 1.8 m x 2.8 m
•Scene based on traditional mythology. The god of the winds, Zephyr, and the
breeze Aura are in a tight embrace, and are gently driving Venus towards the shore
with their breath. She is standing naked on a golden shining shell, which reaches
the shore floating on rippling waves. There, a Hora of Spring is approaching on the
tips of her toes, in a graceful dancing motion, spreading out a magnificent cloak for
her. More creative than realistic, she looks more like a statue.
•Pastel colours (added white alabaster to paint) SERENE and GRACEFUl
Sculpture- Donatello
(the first of our Ninja Turtles)
• Donatello’s bronze "David"
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is believed to be the first
free-standing nude statue
since Greco-Roman times.
Almost Life size (1.6 m)
"David's" stance suggests
a new self-awareness of
his physical form a
combination of classic
style and renaissance
expression (pride, dignity)
Symbolizes the victory of
the small and self
sufficient against the brute
force of the larger
opponents
Sculpted in the Greek’s
contraposta style (the
weight of the on one leg,
the shoulders and the hips
counterbalanced each
other in a natural way so
the figure does not fall
over).
•David (1430-1432)- Bronze
Architecture(or Mrs. Amor’s trip
to Florence)
The Cathedral or
Duomo of Florence as
we see it today is the
end result of years of
work that covered
over six centuries of
history..
Its basic architectural project was designed and constructed at the end of
the 13th century; the cupola that has made it a symbol for the whole of
Florence was created by that genius of the Renaissance, Filippo
Brunelleschi, while the facade that completed it was carried out as late as
the late 19th century
The Baptistery
The origins of the temple dedicated to St.
John the Baptist, later patron saint of the
city, are still uncertain. According to
tradition, it was founded in Roman times
and dedicated to the god Mars.
The Bell Tower
Gates of Paradise
(on the Baptistery door)
• Lorenzo Ghiberti- (1425-52)
• All panels depict stories of the
Christian Old testament or
Jewish Bible (Torah) (some are
in the Koran as well)
• gilded cast bronze, each panel
of the doors is about 79.4 cm
square
• This sculpture employs linear
perspective, differences in
figure size, overlapping, and
varying depths of relief, to
create the illusion of great
space.
• The panels show clearly the
brilliant modeling technique
and perfect perspective, so that
the figures stand out against
the architectural background
and the work seems almost a
painting in bronze.
Issac
What you should note
• Why the Renaissance happened
• Emergence of the patron and the artist
• How you recognise Renaissance art-
realism, rediscovery of beauty, etc.
• Subject matter- religious, mythology, bit
of historical, portraits
• New Techniques- perspective,
foreshortening, depth
• Old techniques rediscovered- free standing
sculpture, contraposta
• Artists- Botticelli, Donatello (but I love
Flippo Lippi- what a guy)