notes on renaissance notes: “renaissance” social political religious intellectual technological...
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Notes on Renaissance
Notes: “Renaissance”SocialPoliticalReligious IntellectualTechnologicalEconomic
Renaissance in a Nutshell
Rebirth of Classical Antiquity The world of the Greeks and Romans
Urbanization of society Cities the center of Renaissance Europe
Individualism The glory of God is reflected through human potential and
achievement Man becomes more of the center and measure of all things A well-rounded individual is the ideal
Secularism Decreased singular importance of religion
Social
Urbanization fueled major social changes
Growth of the merchants/bourgeoisie
Importance of Guilds in Renaissance
Persecution of Jews
Urbanization
Europe remained predominantly rural, but cities rapidly Strong relationship between trade, manufacturing
and urbanzation Northern Italian cities and Flanders
Growth in Bourgeoisie and Petit Bourgeoisie Bourgeoisie- Owners of capitalistic enterprises
Served as patrons of culture Petit Bourgeoisie- Shopkeepers, artisans,
guildmaster who provided goods and services for local consumption
Guilds
Trade associations that regulated the practice and access to tradesServed to limit competition and perpetuate
male dominance in trade/businessResulted in continued inequalitiesDiscriminated against Jews
Persecution of Jews
Most Jews resided in Europe’s citiesUrban-oriented because of focus on trade and business (money-lending) Jews often excluded from other
professions
Persecuted Jews in times of crisisExpelled from Spain in 1492 after many years of persecution
Political
End of Papal Supremacy
Rise of the “New Monarchies” (France, England, Spain)
Political Fragmentation in Italy and Holy Roman Empire
Varying Power of Nobility
Advent of “Machiavellian” Politics
End of Papal Supremacy
End of papal supremacy epitomized by Pope Bonaface VIII (Pope is superior to every living creature)Pope arrested by King Phillip of FranceEstablishment of “alternative” papal seat in Avignon, FranceMonarchical power over popes increased
Rise of New Monarchies
France- Enmity towards England during Hundred Years War (1337-1453) increased nationalistic feelings
England- First Tudor King (Henry VII) established strong monarchy and reduced power of nobles by taking away armies
Spain- Isabela (Castile) and Ferdinand (Aragon) marriage unified Spain
Political Fragmentation
Holy Roman Empire (A Confederation of independent states in present-day Germany)
Italy- Lack of centralized political authority with many city-states (Florence, Siena, Venice)Ensuing competition between France and
Spain for control of Italy
Varying Power of Nobility
England- Nobility secured guarantee of hereditary rights through Magna Carta
Other Locations- Weakened by new military technology that made reduced impenetrability of fortesses
Advent of Machiavellian Politics
Machiavelli (1469-1527)
Focus on how leaders could acquire, maintain, and expand political powerContrasted with ruling according to
Christian-based moral principles
“Ends justify the means”
Morality NOT a part of political activity
Religious
End of Church’s supremacy in “national affairs”
Rise of Skepticism (Impact of Black Death)
Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism
Increased Corruption of Papacy
Fusion of Official Christianity and “Nationalism” in Spain
End of Church Supremacy in Nat’l Affairs
Major challenges to Church supremacy by France (political)
Cultural supremacy challenged by Renaissance patrons of the arts (Medici)
Scientific advancements directly contradicted Church doctrine
Forces for Change
Rise of Skepticism Result of the Black Death
A major questioning of religion and even the existence of God
Worldly, Corrupt Nature of Renaissance Popes Series of corruption scandals Involvement in worldly affairs
Julius II (1503-1513) led armies personally against Venice
Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism
Christian Humanism (Erasmus- 1466-1536): Believed that Christianity should be a guiding philosophy for the direction of daily life rather than a system of dogmatic beliefs
Scholasticism- Effort to synthesize faith and reason with AristotleThomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)
Intellectual
Development of secular, individualist literature
Stunning development “naturalist” painting with focus on the human form (Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo)
Popularization of the intellectual literary realm
Development of secular, individualist literature
Written in vernacular to reach broad audiences
Focus on the individual and individual attitudes
Often quite secularDante: Divine ComedyChaucer: Canterbury Tales
Artistic (Big Three)
Focused on persuading audiences of the reality of the event/person they were painting/sculptingDa Vinci- Focused on realism
Mona Lisa and Last SupperRaphael- Best known for frescoesMichelangelo- Focused on ideal human
with perfect proportionsSistine Chapel and the David
Art and PatronageItalians 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!
1. Realism & 1. Realism & ExpressionExpression
� Expulsion Expulsion fromfromthe Gardenthe Garden
� MasaccioMasaccio
� 14271427
� First nudes First nudes sincesinceclassical classical timestimes..
2. Perspective2. Perspective
Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!
Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!
First use First use of linear of linear
perspective!perspective!
Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!
� The The TrinityTrinity
� MasaccioMasaccio
� 14271427
What you What you are, I once are, I once was; what I was; what I am, you will am, you will
become.become.
PerspectivePerspective
3. Classicism3. Classicism
� Greco-Roman influence.
� Secularism.
� Humanism.
� Individualism free standing figures.
� Symmetry/BalanceThe The “Classical Pose”“Classical Pose”
Medici “Venus” (1c)Medici “Venus” (1c)
4. Emphasis on 4. Emphasis on IndividualismIndividualism� Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre:
The Duke & Dutchess of UrbinoThe Duke & Dutchess of Urbino
� Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.
Isabella d’Este –Isabella d’Este – da Vinci, da Vinci, 14991499� 1474-1539
� “First Lady of the Italian Renaissance.”
� Great patroness of the arts.
� Known during her time as “First Lady of the World!”
5. Geometrical 5. Geometrical Arrangement of Arrangement of
FiguresFigures� The Dreyfus The Dreyfus Madonna Madonna with the with the PomegranatPomegranatee
� Leonardo da Leonardo da VinciVinci
� 14691469
� The figure as The figure as architecture!architecture!
6. Light & 6. Light & Shadowing/Softening Shadowing/Softening
EdgesEdges
ChiaroscuroChiaroscuro
SfumatoSfumato
7. Artists as 7. Artists as Personalities/CelebritiesPersonalities/Celebrities
� Lives of the Lives of the Most Most Excellent Excellent Painters, Painters, Sculptors, andSculptors, andArchitectsArchitects
� Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari
� 15501550
Renaissance Renaissance FlorenceFlorence
The Wool FactoryThe Wool Factoryby Mirabello Cavalori, 1570by Mirabello Cavalori, 1570 1252 – first gold 1252 – first gold
florinsflorins minted minted
Florentine lion:Florentine lion:symbol of St. symbol of St.
MarkMark
Lorenzo Lorenzo the Magnificentthe Magnificent
1478 - 15211478 - 1521
Cosimo de Cosimo de MediciMedici
1517 - 15741517 - 1574
Florence Under the Florence Under the MediciMedici
Medici ChapelMedici Chapel
The Medici PalaceThe Medici Palace
� Filippo Filippo BrunelleschiBrunelleschi1377 - 14361377 - 1436
� ArchitectArchitect
� Cuppolo of St. Cuppolo of St. MariaMariadel Fioredel Fiore
Filippo Brunelleschi
Commissioned to build the cathedral dome. Used unique
architectural concepts.
He studied the ancient Pantheon in Rome.
Used ribs for support.
Brunelleschi’s Brunelleschi’s “Secret”“Secret”
Brunelleschi’s Brunelleschi’s DomeDome
Comparing DomesComparing Domes
Other Famous Other Famous DomesDomes
Il Duomo St. Peter’s St. Paul’s US capital (Florence) (Rome) (London) (Washington)
The Ideal CityThe Ideal City Piero della Piero della
Francesca, 1470Francesca, 1470
A Contest to Decorate the A Contest to Decorate the Cathedral: Cathedral: Sacrifice of IsaacSacrifice of Isaac
PanelsPanelsBrunelleschi Ghiberti
Ghiberti – Ghiberti – Gates of ParadiseGates of ParadiseBaptistry Door, Florence – 1425 - Baptistry Door, Florence – 1425 -
14521452The Winner!The Winner!
� David by David by DonatelloDonatello
� 14301430
� First free-form bronze First free-form bronze since Roman times!since Roman times!
The Liberation The Liberation of Sculptureof Sculpture
DavidDavid
VerrocchioVerrocchio
1473 - 1473 - 14751475
The Baptism of ChristThe Baptism of Christ Verrocchio, 1472 - 1475Verrocchio, 1472 - 1475
Leonardo Leonardo da Vincida Vinci
� Vitruvian Vitruvian Man Man
� Leonardo daLeonardo daVinciVinci
� 14921492
TheTheL’uomoL’uomo
universauniversalele
The Renaissance “Man”The Renaissance “Man”
� Broad knowledge about many things in different fields.
� Deep knowledge/skill in one area.� Able to link information from
different areas/disciplines and create new knowledge.
� The Greek ideal of the “well-rounded man” was at the heart of Renaissance education.
1.1. Self-Portrait Self-Portrait -- da -- da Vinci, 1512Vinci, 1512
1452 - 15191452 - 1519
� Artist
� Sculptor
� Architect
� Scientist
� Engineer
� Inventor
Leonardo, Leonardo, the Artistthe Artist
� The Virgin The Virgin of the Rocks of the Rocks
� Leonardo daLeonardo daVinciVinci
� 1483-14861483-1486
Leonardo, the Artist:Leonardo, the Artist:From hisFrom hisNotebooks of over Notebooks of over 5000 5000
pages (1508-1519)pages (1508-1519)
Mona LisaMona Lisa – da Vinci, – da Vinci, 1503-41503-4
A Macaroni MonaA Macaroni Mona
ParodyParodyThe Best Form of Flattery?The Best Form of Flattery?
A Picasso MonaA Picasso Mona
An Andy Warhol MonaAn Andy Warhol Mona
A “Mona”ca A “Mona”ca LewinskyLewinsky
Mona LisaMona Lisa OROR da da Vinci??Vinci??
The Last Supper The Last Supper - da - da Vinci, 1498Vinci, 1498& Geometry& Geometry
RefractorRefractoryy
Convent Convent of Santa of Santa
Maria Maria delle delle
GrazieGrazie
MilanMilan
horizontal
vert
ical
PerspectivPerspective!e!
The Last Supper The Last Supper - da - da Vinci, 1498Vinci, 1498
� Detail of Detail of JesusJesus
� The Last The Last SupperSupper
� Leonardo Leonardo da Vincida Vinci
� 14981498
DeterioratioDeteriorationn
A Da Vinci “Code”:A Da Vinci “Code”:St. John St. John oror Mary Magdalene? Mary Magdalene?
Leonardo, the SculptorLeonardo, the Sculptor
� An An Equestrian Equestrian StatueStatue
� 1516-15181516-1518
Leonardo, the Architect:Leonardo, the Architect:Pages from his Pages from his NotebookNotebook
� Study of a Study of a central central church.church.
� 14881488
Leonardo, the Architect:Leonardo, the Architect:Pages from his Pages from his NotebookNotebook
� Plan of the city of Imola, 1502.Plan of the city of Imola, 1502.
Leonardo, the Scientist Leonardo, the Scientist (Biology):(Biology):Pages from his Pages from his NotebookNotebook
� An An example of example of the the humanist humanist desire to desire to unlock the unlock the secrets of secrets of nature.nature.
Leonardo, the Scientist Leonardo, the Scientist (Anatomy): (Anatomy):
Pages from his Pages from his NotebookNotebook
Leonardo, the Leonardo, the Inventor:Inventor:
Pages from his Pages from his NotebookNotebook
Man Can Fly?Man Can Fly?
A study of siege A study of siege defenses.defenses.
Studies of water-lifting Studies of water-lifting devices.devices.
Leonardo, the Engineer: Leonardo, the Engineer: Pages from his Pages from his
NotebookNotebook
Leonardo da Vinci….Leonardo da Vinci….
O investigator, do not O investigator, do not flatter yourself that you flatter yourself that you know the things nature know the things nature performs for herself, but performs for herself, but rejoice in knowing that rejoice in knowing that purpose of those things purpose of those things designed by your own designed by your own mind.mind.
2.2. Michelangelo Michelangelo BuonorratiBuonorrati
� 1475 – 15641475 – 1564
� He He represented represented the body in the body in three three dimensions dimensions of sculpture.of sculpture.
� DavidDavid
� MichelangelMichelangelooBuonarottiBuonarotti
� 15041504
� MarbleMarble
15c15c
16c 16c
WhatWhat
aa
differencedifference
aa
centurycentury
makes!makes!
� The PietaThe Pieta
� MichelangeMichelangeloloBuonarrotiBuonarroti
� 14991499
� marblemarble
The Popes as Patrons The Popes as Patrons of the Artsof the Arts
The Sistine The Sistine ChapelChapel
MichelangelMichelangelo Buonarrotio Buonarroti
1508 - 15121508 - 1512
The Sistine Chapel’s The Sistine Chapel’s CeilingCeiling
Michelangelo BuonarrotiMichelangelo Buonarroti1508 - 15121508 - 1512
The Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel DetailsDetails
The The Creation Creation
of the of the HeavensHeavens
The Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel DetailsDetails
Creation of ManCreation of Man
A Modern A Modern “Adaptation”“Adaptation”
Joe Gallo in the New York Daily News, 2004
The Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel DetailsDetails
The Fall The Fall from from GraceGrace
The Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel DetailsDetails
The Last JudgmentThe Last Judgment
3.3. Raffaello Sanzio (1483- Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)1520)
Self-PortraitSelf-Portrait, 1506, 1506 Portrait of the Artist Portrait of the Artist with a Friendwith a Friend, 1518, 1518
Baldassare CastiglioneBaldassare Castiglione by by Raphael,Raphael,
1514-15151514-1515� Castiglione Castiglione
represented represented the humanist the humanist “gentleman” “gentleman” as a man of as a man of refinement refinement and self-and self-control.control.
PerspectivPerspective!e!
PerspectivPerspective!e!
BetrothBetrothal al
of the of the Virgin Virgin
RaphaelRaphael
15041504
Raphael’sRaphael’s Canagiani Canagiani Madonna, Madonna, 15071507
Raphael’sRaphael’s Madonnas Madonnas (1)(1)
Sistine MadonnaSistine Madonna Cowpepper MadonnaCowpepper Madonna
Madonna della SediaMadonna della Sedia Alba MadonnaAlba Madonna
Raphael’sRaphael’s Madonnas Madonnas (2)(2)
The School of Athens The School of Athens – – Raphael, 1510 -11Raphael, 1510 -11
� One point perspective.� All of the important Greek
philosophers and thinkers are included all of the great personalities of the Seven Liberal Arts!
� A great variety of poses.� Located in the papal apartments
library.� Raphael worked on this commission
simultaneously as Michelangelo was doing the Sistine Chapel.
� No Christian themes here.
The School of Athens The School of Athens – – Raphael, 1510 -11Raphael, 1510 -11
Raphael
Da Vinci
Michelangelo
AristotleAristotle::looks to thislooks to thisearth [theearth [thehere andhere and
now].now].
PlatoPlato::looks to thelooks to theheavens [or heavens [or
the IDEALthe IDEALrealm].realm].
The School of Athens The School of Athens – – Raphael, Raphael,
Averroes
Hypatia
Pythagoras
Zoroaster
Ptolemy
Euclid
The Liberation of St. The Liberation of St. PeterPeter by Raphael, 1514 by Raphael, 1514
Portrait of Pope Julius IIPortrait of Pope Julius II by Raphael, 1511-1512by Raphael, 1511-1512
� More concerned More concerned with politics than with politics than with theology.with theology.
� The “Warrior The “Warrior Pope.”Pope.”
� Great patron of Great patron of Renaissance Renaissance artists, especially artists, especially Raphael & Raphael & Michelangelo.Michelangelo.
� Died in 1513Died in 1513
Pope Leo X with Cardinal Pope Leo X with Cardinal Giulio deMedici and Luigi De Giulio deMedici and Luigi De Rossi Rossi by Raphael, by Raphael, 1518-15191518-1519� A Medici Pope.A Medici Pope.
� He went through He went through the Vatican the Vatican treasury in a treasury in a year!year!
� His extravagances His extravagances offended even offended even some cardinals some cardinals [[as well as Martin as well as Martin LutherLuther!].!].
� Started selling Started selling indulgencesindulgences. .
Birth of VenusBirth of Venus – – Botticelli, 1485Botticelli, 1485
An attempt to depict perfect beauty.An attempt to depict perfect beauty.
Botticelli’s Venus Motif.Botticelli’s Venus Motif.
10¢ Italian Euro coin.10¢ Italian Euro coin.
2002 Euro Coin2002 Euro Coin
PrimaveraPrimavera – Botticelli, – Botticelli, 14821482
Depicted classical gods as Depicted classical gods as almost naked and life-size.almost naked and life-size.
A Portrait of SavonarolaA Portrait of Savonarola� By Fra Bartolomeo, By Fra Bartolomeo,
1498.1498.
� Dominican friar who Dominican friar who decried money and decried money and power.power.
� Anti-humanistAnti-humanist he saw he saw humanism as too humanism as too secular, hedonistic, and secular, hedonistic, and corrupting.corrupting.
� The The “Bonfire of the “Bonfire of the Vanities,”Vanities,” 1497. 1497.
/ Burned books, artwork, Burned books, artwork, jewelry, and other jewelry, and other luxury goods in public.luxury goods in public.
/ Even Botticelli put Even Botticelli put some of his paintings some of his paintings on the fire!!on the fire!!
The Execution of The Execution of Savonarola, 1452Savonarola, 1452
The Doge, Leonardo LoredonThe Doge, Leonardo LoredonBerlini, 1501Berlini, 1501
Venus of Urbino Venus of Urbino – Titian, – Titian, 15581558
The Penitent Mary The Penitent Mary Magdalene Magdalene by Titian, 1533by Titian, 1533
� By the mid-16c, By the mid-16c, High High Renaissance Renaissance art was art was declining.declining.
� Mannerism Mannerism became more became more popular.popular.
� This painting is This painting is a good example a good example of this new of this new artistic style.artistic style.
Popularization of the Intellectual
Printing press led to the popularization of literary works1500- 10 million books printed in 238
towns in W. Europe
Led to greater focus on secular literature
Technological
Advent of Water WheelsMajor changes in military technologyInvention of the movable metal-type printing pressSignificant architectural achievements (Gothic churches)Key maritime invention and improvements
Technological Advancements
Water Wheels>>>>>> Advances in iron-related industriesImproved Crossbow (NOT “humble arrow”)>>>>> Reduced power of knights and manorismFirearm and Gunpowder>>> Could penetrate fortesses. Led to reduced power of manorism
Technological Advancements
Great improvements on Chinese carved wood blocks: movable pieces of type, new ink, printing press
Johann Gutenberg (1394-1468)
Led to tremendous proliferation of books in EuropeExpansion of unorthodox ideas
Economic
Tremendous economic improvement in Europe during Renaissance
Rapid development of trade (Venice, Genoa, Flanders and Hanseatic League)
Increased European self-sufficiency