Transcript The Renaissance

Unit VI: The Early Modern Era
The Renaissance
Medieval Art
*dark, deep colors (egg yolk paint)
*child-like rendition
*no perspective, depth, scale, realism
*religious focus and themes; heavy
symbolism
Renaissance Art
*Bright, vibrant colors (oil paint)
*Realism  as realistic as possible
* amazing usage of perspective,
depth, scale
*more secular focus; more literal,
less symbolism
Start of the Renaissance
A. Began around 1420 in Florence, Italy
1. Major changes in the economic, political, and social systems of
Europe
a. expressed through the artwork, architecture, literature,
and philosophy of the time
B. Causes of the Renaissance
1. Development of Humanism
a. philosophy that stated that man is
also central to life, not just God
2. Upsurge in trade and the reintroduction of
money
3. Spread of classical ideas back into Europe
after the crusades
a. Muslim culture had preserved
classical ideas and literature
4. Plague caused the Roman Catholic Church to loose power and
control
a. allowed for the spread of new ideas
Italian Renaissance
A. Began in the cities of Italy
1. Thriving centers of Trade and manufacturing
a. merchants in these cities had great
wealth
b. they were willing to use it to promote
art and education
B. Rejection of Medieval forms and philosophies
1. Return to Greek and Roman styles and ideals
a. columns, arches, domes, myths, themes, beliefs
b. more realism
2. The art, architecture, and literature of the time would reflect
humanist concerns
a. curious about life in the present
b. examined worldly subjects
and issues
c. emphasized the achievements
of the individual
Italian Renaissance Artists
A. Leonardo da Vinci (1452 -1519)
1. Painter, sculptor, inventor, architect, musician, engineer, ‘scientist’
2. Famous works: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper,
Vitruvian Man
3. Sketches and plans for flying machines and
submarines
B. Michelangelo (1475 – 1564)
1. Sculptor, painter, engineer, poet, architect
2. Famous works: David, the Sistine Chapel ceiling,
Pietà,
3. He designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica
C. Raphael (1483 – 1520)
1. Painter
2. Famous works: The Schools of Athens
3. Student of Michelangelo and da Vinci
4. Focused on religious themes and subjects
D. Sofonisba Anguissola (1532 – 1625)
1. Female artist
2. Famous works: The Artist’s Sisters Playing Cards,
portrait of Queen Elisabeth of Spain
3. Official painter for King Philip II of Spain
da Vinci
Michelangelo
Raphael
Sofonisba Anguissola
Northern Renaissance
A. Renaissance ideals and beliefs began to spread northward along trade routes
1. “Arrived” in Flanders around 1500
a. Artist named Albrecht Dürer went to Italy to study the Italian
artists
b. Brought the official techniques back to the North with him
2. The Northern Renaissance was slightly different than its southern
counterpart
a. Had to do with climate and lifestyles
Italian
Northern
Light, bright colors
Darker, deeper colors
Classical, landscape
Real life, still life, or religious
Paintings, sculptures, architecture Paintings, engravings, woodcuts
Northern Renaissance Artists/Inventors
A. Albrecht Dürer (1471 - 1528)
1. German painter
2. His works depicted the religious tension of the
period
3. Famous for his engravings; extremely detailed
B. Jan (1395 -1441) and Hubert (1366 - 1426) van Eyck
1. Flemish painters
2. invented oil paints
3. Jan brought the painting of perspective and
detail to a whole new level
C. Johannes Gutenberg (1398 - 1468)
1. Invented the printing press in
Europe
2. He was influenced by moveable type and papermaking from
Asia
3. First printed the Bible
Albrecht Dürer
Jan van Eyck
Elizabethan Renaissance
A. Renaissance reaches the British Isles (England) in the late 16th century
1. Once again carried over by merchants and traders
B. Focused mostly on literature, artwork, and architecture
C. Queen Elizabeth I was forward thinking and pushed for change
1. Via Humanist ideals, beliefs, and Renaissance ingenuity
2. She was a large patron to the arts, theatre in particular
D. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
1. Most famous artist of the English renaissance
2. Writer, poet, and playwright
-he was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth
-his plays and sonnets depicted the emotional side of
Humanism in renaissance society
Impacts of the Renaissance
A. Use of ancient and classical learning increased the knowledge base
1. Led to increased literacy
2. Growth of education
B. New artistic and architectural techniques stimulated a golden age of
creativity and inventiveness
1. Creation of masterpieces
2. Move away from Medieval techniques and beliefs
C. Spread of Humanist ideas and the vernacular languages through
literary works
1. Increase in literacy
2. Ushered in age of social, political, and economic commentary
3. Increased education and the foundation of universities
D. Papermaking and printing technology reached Europe via China
1. Books became more available
2. Literacy increased
3. Ideas spread rapidly