Renaissance in Cinquecento Italy

The Italian Renaissance was one of the most colorful, vital, and exciting times in history. Renaissance eventually comes from the French word "Renaistre," meaning "to be born again." The Renaissance was a revival or a rebirth of cultural awareness and learning among art, law, language, literature, philosophy, science, and mathematics. This period took place between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Renaissance in Italy flourished in the 15th century and spread throughout most of Europe in the 16th century.

The Italian Renaissance was a movement that occurred between the 14th and 17th centuries. At the end of the 14th century, a handful of Italian thinkers declared that they were living in a new age. They declared that the barbarous, and unenlightened times were over (also known as the Middle Ages) and that the new age would be a “rinascità” or rebirth of learning and literature, art and culture. The major characteristics or feature of the era when it came to the arts were Classicism, Light & shade, Perspective, Realism & expression, and Emphasis on the human body. When it came to the culture and architecture, and learning they referred to the Greek and romans, and Humanism.

The Italian and Northern Renaissance share a few common things in terms of their artwork. However, they also have many differences. I will be focusing on the differences between these two renaissances. Some of the differences include the main forms of medium that they used, their subject matter, and what each era was known for. I will be talking about these three differences, and will also provide examples.

Compare and contrast the subject, concept, and the Formal Element of the two works of art. Also, explain which category this work falls in. The two pieces I have chosen can be found on page 200, figure 6-51, Battle of Centaurs and Wild Beasts from Hadrian’s Villa and on page 434, figure 14-8, Battle of the Bird and Serpent. Not only did I choose these pieces for their beauty, but also because both works have similar yet different subjects, concepts, and formal elements. Both of these images have subject matter that is the same even though they’re different.

It is always interesting to know how a singular topic can be treated so differently by two different artists. There is not only the more obvious difference of the techniques that have been employed, but there is also the difference in the way they perceive the topic. There is also the era and the region and influence of their background which has a direct impact on the work of Art that they produce. In this paper, we will try to develop an understanding regarding the difference that exist between a work that was developed in the Renaissance Period and one that came out in the Italian Baroque. The paper will try to find the ground on which they coincide and those on which they differ from each other.

To start off the widely known European Renaissance, the Italian Renaissance was the earliest manifestation of the 200 year-long cultural event. After the Black Death had taken its toll, the new era had emerged in Italy. Italy was a very strong influence in Europe, containing 5 major city states, known as; Venice, Milan, Florence, Papal States, and Nepal. It was during this time, that many aspects of the European lifestyle began altering because of this rebirth in Italy, both intellectually and politically.

I decided to prepare this sheet as a short description of some of the important themes that we’ve taken up in lecture in the second half of the quarter. In preparation for our final, I would recommend reviewing your notes and textbook, putting together answers to each of these. Indeed, if you have good answers in your head (making use of examples shown in class) for each question, you should do well.

What did art represent in the Italian Renaissance? Explain the significance of the art in the Renaissance - using examples.

The Italian Renaissance, in contrast to the conservative attitude of the Middle Ages, introduced a society dominated by a secular, humanistic spirit. One of the most historically significant events of the Renaissance was the Reformation. Some people argue that the Reformation was a rejection the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance. Others assert that the Reformation was an embracement of these secular ideas. However as with many questions, this issue cannot be given a definite answer. The events of sixteenth-century Europe shows that the Reformation rejected secular ideas in some ways and embraced them in others. Martin Luther defied the Catholic Church and formed his own ideas on salvation, embracing secularism. In England, Henry VIII would reject Catholic authority, thereby accepting the secular spirit. However, he also rejected secularism by continuing to uphold traditional Catholic theology. Edward VI and Mary I would both establish national religion, of which there was no questioning, and reject the secular spirit. Elizabeth I also established a national religion, but her more conservative religious policies reflected her embracement of secular ideas. On the other hand, John Calvin created a religious sect that was dedicated to ardent religious devotion and righteousness, thereby rejecting secularism. Thus, the Reformation both rejected and embraced the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance.

At the time of the Italian renaissance, Italy was divided into individual city states ruled by wealthy families. The term renaissance translates to rebirth and references the period from the late fourteenth to the early seventeenth century in Europe during which art, culture, politics, and thought flourished. The renaissance originated in Italy and spread throughout most of Europe. The invention of the printing press and increased use of vernacular in writing facilitated the spread of information. Renaissance art, politics, and thought were influenced by the rediscovery of classic Greek texts. Most renaissance advances were in the fields of painting, architecture, and literature. Nonetheless, theatre experienced various developments as well.

Through history, there have been many periods of immense changes being made. In the 15th and 16th century, Italy underwent a monumental change known as the Italian Renaissance. Italy was not a merged country, but rather in fact multiple independent city-states. Merchants needed to be the best in order to gain wealth, support, and allies so they were able to acquire more power. This form of power grew the Medici family into high respect and made Florence the epicenter of Italy and resulted in the city-state's flourishing. The Medici gained respect from its advancements in architecture and arts for example the Florentine Cathedral which was a disgrace because they weren’t able to make a dome shaped roof. Filippo Brunelleschi hired by the Medicis, was a huge help to the architecture and art advancements, and fixed this catastrophe. Finding the solution to the dome shaped roof brought

Like previously mentioned in the class, I have an intense interest for Italian art since I have been in contact with it since birth. Because of this I would like to explore the High Renaissance since I feel experienced and comfortable with this art period. The High Renaissance, or the Italian Renaissance, lasted from 1330 to 1550 with Florence, Italy being the birthplace of it all. In the following essay I would like to discuss Neo-Platonists, which was the dominant philosophy so-to-speak at the time. Secondly, I will talk about the Medici family and their influence during this period. Lastly, I will discuss various Renaissance men such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael because they were the people who shaped and defined the period.

The Italian Renaissance began in the mid-fourteenth century, and was marked by a turn from medieval life and values dominated by the Church toward the philosophical principles of humanism. The Italian people, especially the educated middle class, became interested in individual achievements and emphasized life in this world, as opposed to preparation for life in the next world, which was stressed by religion in the Church. They believed strongly in the potential for individual accomplishment in the arts, literature, politics, and personal life. Individuals began to be encouraged to excel in a wide range of fields and showcase their talents. The pieces of art that represent this period of time are, The Mona Lisa, The Northern Doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and lastly, David by Donatello.

Terms: Giotto, Masaccio, Botticelli, Perspective, Guild, Artisan, Apprentice, Patron, High Renaissance, Pope Julius II, Michelangelo, Northern Renaissance, madrigal.

In the debate over the proper way in which to make art in Renaissance and Baroque Italy, the debate, seems to have hardened into a matter of disegno and colore, with each representing a whole artistic philosophy exacerbated by an wrapped up in civic pride, competition and individual ego. If taken at face value, disegno, represented by Georgio Vasari and practiced in Florence, was the essence of rationality and intellectual detail, demanding artists who could be “universal” (this being too early to call themselves “Renaissance men”), and engage in planning out projects with extensive sketches, experiments in perspective, technical mastery and serious study of classical models and living masters.