Art and the Renaissance Society and the Arts

New Style of Art in the Renaissance Remember all that talk about Humanism? – Respecting humanity, dignity of man.. Etc etc? Artist became interested in portraying the beauty of the human body and the natural world Patrons were people who paid artists to produce works.. Still focusing greatly on religion, similar to the middle ages, renaissance artists began looking at their work in different ways. (What does this tell us about the changing worldviews??) Sandro Botticelli Birth of Venus (1486)

Art and Patronage Italians were willing to spend a lot of money on art. Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values. Italian banking & international trade interests had the money. Public art in Florence was organized and supported by guilds. Therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status!

Middle Ages vs. Renaissance Giotto (Middle Ages) Raphael (Renaissance) Looking at Renaissance art, we must consider: How do they reflect the the Humanist interest in the individual, the present world, beauty and human excellence?

Characteristics of Renaissance Art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf2G2Il8crw

1. Realism & Expression Expulsion from the Garden Masaccio 1427 First nudes since classical times.

2. Perspective First use of linear perspective! Perspective! The Trinity Masaccio 1427 Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! First use of linear perspective! What you are, I once was; what I am, you will become.

Perspective

The “Classical Pose” Medici “Venus” (1c) 3. Classicism Greco-Roman influence. Secularism. Humanism. Individualism  free standing figures. Symmetry/Balance Mixing Greek and Roman gods with and Roman myhtology with human world The “Classical Pose” Medici “Venus” (1c)

4. Emphasis on Individualism Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: The Duke & Dutchess of Urbino Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.

Isabella d’Este – da Vinci, 1499 1474-1539 “First Lady of the Italian Renaissance.” Great patroness of the arts. Known during her time as “First Lady of the World!”

ARCHITECTURE “An architect should be a good writer, a skillful draftsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, somewhat of a musician, not ignorant of the law and of physics, nor of motions laws, and relations to each other of the heavenly bodies” – Marcus Vitrvius Pollio in Ten Books Architects should include features of classical buildings in their work. Position was raised from skilled laborer, to artist!

BRUNELLESCHI (architect)

Filippo Brunelleschi Commissioned to build the cathedral dome. Used unique architectural concepts. He studied the ancient Pantheon in Rome. Used ribs for support.

BRUNELLESCI (Church of San Lorenzo)

SCULPTURE Middle Ages – seen as craftspeople rather than artists Part of construction of cathedrals to sculpt biblical scenes Just like wealth raised the status of merchants, so did it for any of the arts! Sculptors (like Michelangelo) became celebrities!!!

La Pieta Mary’s beauty to reflect spiritual perfection

DAVID

LITERATURE People have been writing for years.. So……. Translating Greek and Latin books in the vernacular (common spoken languages such as Italian, English, French, German, etc) SOO.. Knowledge became more accessible!

PETRARCH (poet)

Christine de Pisan Europe’s first female writer – UNHEARD OF!!!!!!!!! Poetry, history, essays and bios City of Women – men and women should be judged based on their virtues, not on the basis of their gender