Renaissance Art
Lindsay Boulerice
Background
Prior to the renaissance Europe was going through the Middle ages Crusades, a period of religious wars brought upon by the Church. During this period Churches were created in a Gothic fashion, with large stained glass windows, and a reflection of civic power. Just prior to the Renaissance, art was starting to develop in a manner that would greatly influence the renaissance art itself. Introduction to art in respect to the human body was starting to become explored on a level like never before. Dramatic paintings were produced and three-dimensional realism started to be the theme that dominated sculpture.[1] Flat gold backgrounds were generally the style of art, and a two dimensional format was the general format for most of the paintings produced.[2]
Turning Point
From the 14th to 17th century, Europe underwent enormous changes in culture. Following the gloom brought upon by the Crusades this period became known as the Renaissance or re-birth. Not only did this period establish new politics, and new scientific discoveries, but music, art, and architecture flourished. Buildings were erected in an entirely new style, with domed ceilings and religious influences. Art was produced by artists that still hold rank as the best artists in the world today with a new humanistic approach and a new light on classic Greek style of work.[3]
New mediums were used to create interesting pieces of art, wet plaster called “Fresco”, panels, and the use of oil paints all began to create an interesting texture to the art. Sculptures were constructed out of papiermache, wax, bronze, stone, wood, terracotta and plaster allowing the artist to choose which media was effective for their creation. Print reproductions also became very widely used during the Renaissance. Engraved copper could produce several different copies fast, and allowed for art to travel to locations much further than usual over a short period of time. [4]Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di LodovicoBuonarottiSimoni, and RaffaelloSanzio da Urnbino (Raphael) are just a few recognizable names that thrived during this period. Michelangelos’ creation of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican still has crowds of people in awe, and the Mona Lisa painted by da Vinci still hangs in the Louvre protected by an inch of solid glass to protect the work of art.
The “High Renaissance” was a period deemed as one that almost anything imaginable could have been done. Well trained artists were creating drawings that were then used as references to construct new styles of churches and civic buildings. Architects such as Bramante were inspired by well established artists like da Vinci when constructing buildings such as the Coliseum in Rome. Other architects reconstructed buildings that were already established to resemble a more updated look. Different mediums were used to resurface the outsides of the buildings and then molded to create wonderful works of art.[5]
Effect
Art began to appear in politics. Certain symbols were beginning to hold representations of families or a specific leader. Likewise statues such as the Marzocco created by Donatello, holds the shield with a fleur-de-lis of France, a symbol of the cities allegiance.[6]Today buildings still stand that were created during the renaissance period and are still considered some of the most beautiful pieces of architecture. Paintings are still admired in galleries and still respected as some of the greatest art styles in history. Curiosity was a huge influence on renaissance art. Domed cathedrals were created, and still to this day architects are still not certain as to how this was accomplished. For the first time statues were created in a three dimensional manner that idolized the body. This must have been derived from the curiosity to see if this form of art would be accepted after such a harsh period of political and religious intolerance.
[1]Whight,John. “Architecture, Sculpture, Civic Buildings” Art and Architecture in Italy 1250-1400. 1966. Pg. 21 ,210, 387.
[2]Rebhorn, Wayne. “Renaissance”.Dictionary of Italian Literature. 1996
[3]Burckhardt. “Renaissance”. 2011.
[4]Paolttei and Radke. “Materials and Methods” Art In Renaissance Italy. 1997. 28-39.
[5]Bruschi. “Bramante”. 1997.
[6]Welch.”The Art Of Government” Art and Society in Italy 1350-1500. 1997. 209-230.
Bibliography
Bruschi. “Bramante”. Bloomsbury Guide to Art. 1997.
Burckhardt. “Renaissance”. Barry Sandwell. 2011.
Paoletti&Radke.“Materials and Methods”.Art in Renaissance Italy.Harry and Abrams Inc. Singapore. 1997. 28-39.
Rebhorn, Wayne. “Renaissance’.Dictionary of Italian Literature. Greenwood Publishing Company. 1996.
White,John. “Architecture, Sculpture, Civic Buildings” Art And Architecture in Italy 1250-1400. Penguin Books. Baltimore. 1966. 21,210,387.
Welch,Evelyn. “The Art of Government” Art and Society in Italy 1350-1500. Oxford University Press. New York. 1997. 209-230.
Lindsay Boulerice
Background
Prior to the renaissance Europe was going through the Middle ages Crusades, a period of religious wars brought upon by the Church. During this period Churches were created in a Gothic fashion, with large stained glass windows, and a reflection of civic power. Just prior to the Renaissance, art was starting to develop in a manner that would greatly influence the renaissance art itself. Introduction to art in respect to the human body was starting to become explored on a level like never before. Dramatic paintings were produced and three-dimensional realism started to be the theme that dominated sculpture.[1] Flat gold backgrounds were generally the style of art, and a two dimensional format was the general format for most of the paintings produced.[2]
Turning Point
From the 14th to 17th century, Europe underwent enormous changes in culture. Following the gloom brought upon by the Crusades this period became known as the Renaissance or re-birth. Not only did this period establish new politics, and new scientific discoveries, but music, art, and architecture flourished. Buildings were erected in an entirely new style, with domed ceilings and religious influences. Art was produced by artists that still hold rank as the best artists in the world today with a new humanistic approach and a new light on classic Greek style of work.[3]
New mediums were used to create interesting pieces of art, wet plaster called “Fresco”, panels, and the use of oil paints all began to create an interesting texture to the art. Sculptures were constructed out of papiermache, wax, bronze, stone, wood, terracotta and plaster allowing the artist to choose which media was effective for their creation. Print reproductions also became very widely used during the Renaissance. Engraved copper could produce several different copies fast, and allowed for art to travel to locations much further than usual over a short period of time. [4]Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di LodovicoBuonarottiSimoni, and RaffaelloSanzio da Urnbino (Raphael) are just a few recognizable names that thrived during this period. Michelangelos’ creation of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican still has crowds of people in awe, and the Mona Lisa painted by da Vinci still hangs in the Louvre protected by an inch of solid glass to protect the work of art.
The “High Renaissance” was a period deemed as one that almost anything imaginable could have been done. Well trained artists were creating drawings that were then used as references to construct new styles of churches and civic buildings. Architects such as Bramante were inspired by well established artists like da Vinci when constructing buildings such as the Coliseum in Rome. Other architects reconstructed buildings that were already established to resemble a more updated look. Different mediums were used to resurface the outsides of the buildings and then molded to create wonderful works of art.[5]
Effect
Art began to appear in politics. Certain symbols were beginning to hold representations of families or a specific leader. Likewise statues such as the Marzocco created by Donatello, holds the shield with a fleur-de-lis of France, a symbol of the cities allegiance.[6]Today buildings still stand that were created during the renaissance period and are still considered some of the most beautiful pieces of architecture. Paintings are still admired in galleries and still respected as some of the greatest art styles in history. Curiosity was a huge influence on renaissance art. Domed cathedrals were created, and still to this day architects are still not certain as to how this was accomplished. For the first time statues were created in a three dimensional manner that idolized the body. This must have been derived from the curiosity to see if this form of art would be accepted after such a harsh period of political and religious intolerance.
[1]Whight,John. “Architecture, Sculpture, Civic Buildings” Art and Architecture in Italy 1250-1400. 1966. Pg. 21 ,210, 387.
[2]Rebhorn, Wayne. “Renaissance”.Dictionary of Italian Literature. 1996
[3]Burckhardt. “Renaissance”. 2011.
[4]Paolttei and Radke. “Materials and Methods” Art In Renaissance Italy. 1997. 28-39.
[5]Bruschi. “Bramante”. 1997.
[6]Welch.”The Art Of Government” Art and Society in Italy 1350-1500. 1997. 209-230.
Bibliography
Bruschi. “Bramante”. Bloomsbury Guide to Art. 1997.
Burckhardt. “Renaissance”. Barry Sandwell. 2011.
Paoletti&Radke.“Materials and Methods”.Art in Renaissance Italy.Harry and Abrams Inc. Singapore. 1997. 28-39.
Rebhorn, Wayne. “Renaissance’.Dictionary of Italian Literature. Greenwood Publishing Company. 1996.
White,John. “Architecture, Sculpture, Civic Buildings” Art And Architecture in Italy 1250-1400. Penguin Books. Baltimore. 1966. 21,210,387.
Welch,Evelyn. “The Art of Government” Art and Society in Italy 1350-1500. Oxford University Press. New York. 1997. 209-230.