Renaissance/Ideas/Spread/Art and Artists
"Discuss how the Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to specific works and artists."The Renaissance was a 'rebirth' or renewal of many of the classical ancient Greek and Roman beliefs. The Renaissance began in the city-states of Italy, the center of trade in Europe. Many wealthy merchants and bankers became patrons of the newly developing styles and ideals of Renaissance art. Many of the renewed classical Greek and Roman ideas such as Humanism, Individualism, Secularism, and Realism were expressed through the Italian art and the artist's interests and influences of the period. The dominant intellectual movement of the Renaissance was humanism, a philosophy based on the idea that people are rational beings. It emphasized the focus on the individual, his potential and his achievements, an emphasis that was central to Renaissance developments in many areas. Humanism originated in the study of the ancient Greek and Roman classics, which soon led to a new-found interest in learning, and the promotion of a new educational curriculum that emphasized the humanities. Michelangelo (1475-1564) , Italian painter, sculptor, architect, and poet was a humanist and was brave enough to follow ancient G
David, by Donatello Italian sculptor Donatello (1386-1466) executed his David, the first nude statue of the Renaissance, about 1430-1435 . "Realism is an attempt to describe human behavior and surroundings or to represent figures and objects exactly as they act or appear in life. "Plato points upward to the world of ideas, where he believes knowledge lies, whereas Aristotle holds his forearm parallel to the earth, stressing observation of the world around us as the source of understanding" -showing the discussion and interaction of the place of learning. Most great artists of the Renaissance painted portraits of their patrons as well as everyday people, further showing their recognition of the individual. Though the most ambiguous part of this piece is the Mona Lisa's face, her smile is what has always created argument amongst art critics-is the Mona Lisa smiling? Or is she sad? To this day it is still a mystery. Renaissance artists began to paint individuals emphasizing their uniqueness, their emotions and their significance; many artists even began to sign their works to acquire personal fame and recognition. Birth of Venus Birth of Venus (1482) is an example of Botticelli's new focus on Secularism and Greek Mythology. Botticelli did not get the job; instead the Sistine Chapel Fresco was completed in 1512 by Michelangelo, a fellow Renaissance artist and Humanist. Contrast to Donatello's interpretation of David, Michelangelo also sculpted a David with a very muscular and well-proportioned body. Realism was an idea being developed and perfected by Renaissance artists. During Raphael's life he had always been pressured by his teacher to pay attention to detail and realism. This 17 foot tall marble statue shows an alert David waiting for his enemy Goliath. Many Italian Renaissance artists turned Secular, though most if not all had experienced religion-basis in some of their art. You can see Michelangelo's detail in David's features clearly, everything is in proportion, the body is masculine and the pose generates an effect of pride and confidence. However, soon wealthy merchants and bankers from the Italian city-states, already influenced by the individual and humanist ideas from the Greek and Roman classics, became patrons and began to demand paintings of secular subjects, including themselves.
Common topics in this essay:
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Plato Aristotle,
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