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The Renaissance. 14 th – 17 th century. Humanism. Embraced the individual and their achievements Questioning Studied classics (Greece and Roman manuscripts) People should lead a meaningful life. Early Humanist Writers (Italian). Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) One of the first humanists
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The Renaissance 14th – 17th century
Humanism • Embraced the individual and their achievements • Questioning • Studied classics (Greece and Roman manuscripts) • People should lead a meaningful life
Early Humanist Writers (Italian) • Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) • One of the first humanists • Scholar and teacher • 1st to write sonnets (love poems) • Niccolo Machiavelli • The Prince-the most famous political handbook • Argued that a ruler should do whatever was necessary to gain and keep power • Advocated methods for rulers to use, like force and lies to maintain power • In politics, actions must only be judged by the results…”the end justifies the means”
Characteristics of Renaissance Art • Influenced by the artistic achievements of classical Greece and Rome • Renaissance painting emphasized realism, attention to detail, and desire for perfection • Perspective-painting technique used to make their paintings more lifelike (2-d)
Renaissance Artistic Achievements • Giotto (1266-1337)-painter and architect • Gioto’s Tower • Ghiberti (1378-1455)-sculptor • Sculpted a series of biblical scenes • Donatello (1386-1466)-Florentine sculptor • St. George in armor • Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)-the ideal Renaissance Man; painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, and scientist • Self Portrait • Mona Lisa • The Last Supper
Interior of the Sistine Chapel (view facing east), Vatican City, Rome, Italy, built 1473. Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to repaint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel after removing him from another project which Michelangelo was concentrated upon finishing, that of Pope Julius' tomb. At first, Buonarroti tried to turn down the commission, stating that he was a sculptor and not a painter. The pope, however, was insistent.
MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI, Creation of Adam (detail), ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy, 1511–1512. Fresco, approx. 9’ 2” x 18’ 8”. By far the most famous section of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Michelangelo depicts Adam in his full physical form. The act of creation is in the touch of the Creator's hand with that of Adam's. Behind God is the image of Eve, as yet unborn, and other figures representing their descendents. The child, which God touches with his other hand, probably refers to the later birth of Christ.
The Pieta, by Michelangelo, is both detailed and lifelike. It shows the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of her son, Jesus, after his crucifixion.
LEONARDO DA VINCI, Mona Lisa, ca. 1503–1505. Oil on wood, approx. 2’ 6” x 1’ 9”. Louvre, Paris. The sensuous curves of the woman's hair and clothing, created through sfumato, are echoed in the undulating imaginary valleys and rivers behind her. The blurred outlines, graceful figure, dramatic contrasts of light and dark, and overall feeling of calm are characteristic of Leonardo's style
LEONARDO DA VINCI, Last Supper (cleaned), ca. 1495–1498. Fresco (oil and tempera on plaster). The painting measures 460 × 880 c. (15 feet × 29 feet) and can be found in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The theme was a traditional one for refectories, but Leonardo's interpretation gave it much greater realism and depth. The lunettes above the main painting, formed by the triple arched ceiling of the refectory, are painted with Sforzacoats-of-arms. The opposite wall of the refectory is covered by a Crucifixion fresco by Donato Montorfano, to which Leonardo added figures of the Sforza family in tempera. Leonardo began work on The Last Supper in 1495 and completed it in 1498 — however, he did not work on the piece continuously throughout this period. Bartholomew, James the Lesser and Andrew form a group of three, all are surprised. Andrew holds both of his hands up in a "stop!" gesture. The painting contains several references to the number 3, which may be an allusion to the Holy Trinity. The Apostles are seated in groupings of three; there are three windows behind Jesus; and the shape of Jesus' figure resembles a triangle. There may have been many other references that have since been lost to the painting's deterioration.
The Northern Renaissaince • Renaissance ideas, traveled to Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England • Printing-helped spread the ideas of the Renaissance • Johannes Gutenberg of Germany-1st European to use movable type to print books • Used the printing press to print copies of the Bible
Northern Renaissance Writers • Erasmus (1406-1536) • Praise of Foly-ridiculed superstition, prejudice, upper class privileges, and Church abuses. • Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) • Utopia-portrayed an ideal country, free from war, injustice, poverty, and ignorance • “any ideal state • William Shakespeare • Portrayed personality and human emotions into his plays and stories • Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth
Northern Renaissance Art • Flemish School • Group of painters in Flanders that developed their own distinct style • Peter Brueghel (Flanders)-painted the countryside; criticized the intolerance and cruelty he saw around him • Albrecht Durer (Germany)-copper engravings and woodcuts • Hans Holbein (Germany)-painted portraits of famous people