A Rebirth of European Thought The Renaissance A Rebirth of European Thought

What was it? Renaissance: revival of art and learning Influence of classical Greece and Rome Desire to return to intellect of Greece and Rome Inspiration from ruins of Rome Study of Latin manuscripts Christian scholars in Constantinople had fled with Greek manuscripts during Turkish invasion

Humanism Definition Respected sources (classics, scripture) Studia humanitatis Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral philosophy Dignity, virtue Respected sources (classics, scripture) Focus on antiquity Focus on human potential and achievements as a result of the Reformation (decreased power of the Church) Enjoy life while honoring God (don’t give up material goods) Patrons Church leaders, wealthy pay for art, supporting artists Having portraits done, decorating temples, etc What do you think the patrons expected to be portrayed as?

Renaissance Art “Medieval Christian values adjusted to a more this-worldly spirit” High Renaissance Embraced natural world and human emotions Rational/mathematical order Perfect symmetry and proportionality (harmony of universe) The “ideal” human form Accurate representations of the human form (anatomical research) New technical skills Oil paints on canvas (rather than tempura on wood) Shading to enhance naturalness (chiaroscuro) Adjusting size of figure to create continuity with painting (linear perspective) Portraying space realistically

Leonardo da Vinci Ideal of universal person Jack of all Trades (painter, sculpture, inventor, scientist) Inner moods through complex facial expression

Raphael Famous for madonnas Use of perspective “School of Athens”

Michelangelo “David” Harmony, symmetry, proportion Glorification of human form Sistine Chapel (Julius II)

Northern Renaissance What brought the Renaissance north? Patronage of Italian artists Trade French invasion of Italy Bring ideas back to France Renaissance artists flee to northern Europe Differences between the Italian and Northern Renaissance Not a “rebirth” of classical style, but rather a break from Gothic style Rather than rediscovering antiquity, a focus on nature Realism rather than idealism Haziness to suggest depth Oil, shade Mannerism Strange and abnormal, freer reign to individual perceptions and feelings of artist Emotional connection to spirituality and sinfulness A result of tumultuous times and a lack of unifying force (Church)