Humanism In Early Renaissance Art

The Renaissance began in the 1300’s and brought with it many new ideas and ways of thinking. The main one of these ideas being humanism, or that the best that a man can be is greater than the idea of theology. The Italians began to spread this idea and it began to grow. The Italians decided that the best way to express and spread the idea of humanism during the Renaissance was through their sculptures and paintings. This can be seen in many works of art from this time period such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The School of Athens by Raphael, and Michelangelo's David.

The love of marriage is shown in the small myrtle flower lying beside Venus, the flower petals and shell above her head are both said to be in connection to marriage. What's also very important to the painting is the way the bodies are positioned and what they are doing. Venus lying down placing her hand amongst her chest, this further resembles the institution of marriage in partnership and brings forth desire. Cupid on the other hand, which I was curious about, is peeing in Venus’s direction, through an ivy plant which is mentioned to represent fertility. On the Museums website this act along with the veil, crown, and pearl earrings, represent fertility referenced by “Italian Venetians”. What I found most interesting about this painting is the tiny snake near Venus. Why is it there? Especially in a painting that resembles marriage. The museum website mentions that this snake reveals the “darker aspect” of marriage. That is, “illicit”, not approved of. I also wondered about the rod that lies near Venus, and the website does say that it is most likely used to discipline Cupid. Nevertheless, the meaning of the painting is marriage as a happy institution, the museum also mentions that the message of “epithalamia” is conveyed as necessary, and that marriage is something everyone must do, and experience, and that this is in our nature to do so. Which explains the very natural

Beginning roughly around the year 1400 an era in Europe began; one that would shape the ideas and the lives of men. This era of rebirth or renaissance came within the fifteenth century through the revival of classical texts. One central effect of the Renaissance was the production of a new intellectual idea: humanism. Humanism being defined as a, “[t]erm invented in the 19th century. . . [regarding] developments relating to the revival of Classical literature and learning in European culture from roughly 1300 to 1600” left its mark on all of Europe leaving nothing untouched not even the artist. Both northern and southern art would be affected by humanism but in different ways ranging from changes in the human form, new choices of

The painting depicts a single female figure as the centerpiece of the composition. The female figure is nude and holds a vase with water pouring out to the right side of it. The water around the figure is symbolic of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite

"The Annunciation" Religion has typically been used in history as the narrative for many pieces of artwork. The Early Renaissance was renowned for the religious themes the artists would use in their work. This period is also recognized for its focus on humanism, which refers to the cultural and educational reformation. Humanism draws many of its themes and styles from the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Renaissance spread throughout Europe and continued to focus on the rediscovery of these predecessors.

Also, the goddess Venus is a symbol that represents beauty, love, and fertility. In Latin, the word Venus literally translates to love or sexual desire. Mythology and sensual erotic subjects were commonly used in Venetian Renaissance art. Furthermore, uncovered natural body refers to pure and beauty. Therefore, unclothed women were highly used for art subject, and thus, nude paintings during the era can be easily found. The bundle of roses in the painting is another subject for iconography. By making her hold onto the roses in her right hand, Titian presents Venus as not only seductive but also feminine in a classical sense since the flowers also seem to represent her reproductive organ. All in all, the painting captures both classical and contemporary ideals of

Bronzino's Allegory with Venus and Cupid typical is mannerism is a very disturbing painting the woman is Venus and the boy that is kissing the woman is Cupid which is the main focus. The other figures represent pleasure and love this painting could mean regret or what would happen if you do any of those things. It's a puzzle with multiple meanings. There's a lot of motions and no conclusion.

To the right of the painting is Nymph, also known as "The Hours", Greek goddesses of the seasons. She has on a very elegant dress and holds a robe out for Venus which is decorated with red and white daises, as well as yellow flowers of some sort, and blue cornflowers. These are all flowers of spring time which is appropriate for the theme of birth. The Nymph also wears garland which is also decorated with roses. The Nymph seems to be welcoming not only Venus, but the season of spring as well. This open arms welcome is very comforting to view.

They show a very special love that she represents in this painting: the more fruitful passion of licit love, not lust of the body, but the permanent bond of marital affection. There is also a dog at her feet, curled up and he symbolized the ideal fidelity. The background setting of the painting provides a contrasting backdrop for the curves of Venus in this painting. The painting was composed from subtle brush strokes, done with precise details. Venus’s warm, glowing tone was inviting while her gaze was innocent but curious. Even though the painting was centered on a nude Venus, it was divided in half by the background. A black backdrop frames Venus’s upper body, which exemplified her elongated torso. Her legs were relatively short in proportion, while her feet were tiny in size. The background was of a separate room behind the couch, where two servants were conjugated while a sleeping dog laid at her

The subject I’ll be focusing on the influences of humanism in the italian renaissance. Humanism is the idea of potential and achievements the study of subjects, such as literature,history, and philosophy. This will include the paintings Michelangelo's David, A naked man made of marble, Raphael’s School Of Athens, a beautifully huge painting, and Sancro Botticelli’s Calumny of Apelles, a painting of the goddess venus.

La Primavera is set in a grove, with fruit trees and many types of flowers blooming on the ground. The figure in the center is that of an elongated woman, her head tilted to the viewer’s left and her right hand held up as if she is indicating something on that side. Her gaze comes out of the painting, as if to entreat the viewer to step into the scene. Her form divides the space into two sides. The greenery around her creates a circular shape. Given the subject matter of Botticelli’s other paintings in this collection and the other figures represented, the woman is interpreted to be Venus. At the top of this circle, the figure of a blindfolded male toddler with wings has notched an arrow from the quiver on his back and points it to the left of the painting. His position over Venus and possession of the bow designates him to be Eros, the son of Venus. Following the point of the arrow and the right arm of Venus, there are three dancing women, draped in wispy white with their fingers interlaced. These figures are the Three Graces, identifiable by the way they connect with each other and their dance – in mythology, the Graces

The figures in Botticelli’s composition form a clear pyramid, reflecting one of the Renaissance tendencies to incorporate geometrical shapes in paintings to increase naturalism, visual balance and stability. The depiction of Greco-Roman subject is also a reflection of the Humanism in Italian Renaissance, which led to the rapid increase in comfort and interest toward pagan antiquities amongst elite families at the time. Additionally, Botticelli’s naturalistic depiction of human bodies with the usage of highly meticulous linear painting style again reflect the development in the humanistic studies (Philosophy, Science, Art, Music and Literature) which resulted in the extensive studies in human anatomy and painting techniques. The elegant curves and gestures as well as the sense of lightness in the figures also allude to the possibility of remaining Gothic style, the movement just before

The picture symbolizes the aftermath of incestuous actions. Venus is evidently present at the center of the painting, recognizable by the golden apple in her left hand from the Greek myth The Judgement of Paris. A robust adolescent male figure with wings can be seen entwined with her. It is her son, Cupid. The undeniable sexuality of their embrace has long been debated over as scandalous behavior. Rather than channeling the act of incest in itself, Bronzino exploits these two as symbols for the personification of male and female sexuality. Whichever case it may be, the erotic narrative of the painting becomes instantly clear. Venus, determined to get Cupid’s arrow submits to dire endeavors when Cupid refuses and tries to distract him by seducing him while she takes the arrow from him. Venus and Cupid are painted

The fixation is set on her in the center of the painting due to the triangle of light used to create a focal point for the viewer. Surrounding her on both sides are the linear equivelants of past and future. From the left we see her creators helping her along with strength and the force of the wind. To the right we see her handmaiden ready to usher her into the world, where she will be clothed and no longer represent innocence. Both exhibit two very different forms of love and caring to Venus.

Nonetheless, Venus of Urbino is surrounded by subject matters that contain iconography. In the background of the painting, two female figures are surrounding two cassoni. A cassone is a bridal chest that contains the bride’s trousseau as she moved to her new home. Above the cassoni, a myrtke plant is placed on the windowsill that symbolizes marital fidelity, while the dog on the foreground is a symbol of loyalty and fidelity. Lastly, the bouquet of flowers held by the female nude holds a number of symbolism including, love, lust, reproduction, or the female genitalia (“Academy of Art University”). Various iconographies set as a reminder of the role as a wife, or symbolisms that aids in the sensuality of the female nude.