The Renaissance time period, also called the renewal period, is a duration of time that covered the 14th to 17th centuries in Europe, which experienced art, sculpture, painting, music, and architecture.
There was increased knowledge of nature, an individualistic view of man, and renewed classical learning. Several historians concur that between the 14th century and 17th century, a new enlightened way of thinking was emerging that would replace the old one.
However, many artistic and scientific discoveries of the Renaissance had common themes, believing that man was the center of his universe. History indicates that knowledge of nature and humanity became pronounced in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Proper Italian Renaissance came after proto-renaissance in the late 13th century and early14th century, drawing its inspiration from Franciscan radicalism. St, Francis opposed the formal scholasticism of studying Christian theology and moved to praise nature’s beauties and spiritual value. St, Francis’s example moved many Italian artists and poets to look into the world around them when developing their works.
For example, Giotto Bondone discovered a new pictorial style that involved clear, simple structure, psychological penetration, and linear decorativeness.
One of the great poets, Dante, during this period, also changed his poetry to indicate an inward experience, subtle shades, and human nature.
There were also Giovanni Boccaccio and Petrarch of the same period that focused their attention on Latin literature and vernacular writings in the building of proto-renaissance. However, the plague of 1348, followed by the civil war, dampened the revival of humanistic studies and interest in Giotto and Dante’s naturalism and individualism. The spirit of the Renaissance time period laid low until the early 15th century.
Contemporary artistry, music, and architecture result from a rebirth (Renaissance) also began in Italy in these early days. Religion also shaped and influenced several artistic works since it was a predominant element in almost everyone in the renaissance time period. However, new areas of inventions such as the mythological matter were opening up for painting.
An example of such a painting on a mythological subject was Botticelli’s work called Birth of Venus, which was regarded as unique. He deviated from religious painting to realism, and mythological subjects opened a world for other artistic imaginations, themes, and production.
Even before the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century, Europe had begun to experience a resurgence in art and growth in philosophical antiquity. For example, the 12th century shows the ascendance of the Carolingian Empire, known for its Latinized elements that revived the classical Latin texts and the founding of universities.
The Crusades also facilitated the Renaissance. The European crusaders came into contact with the scientific and cultural advancement of their Islamic counterparts. Islam is known for the preservation of several Latin and Greek classical text. The returning Crusaders carried some of these antiques to their homeland, which greatly influenced and revitalized the interest of European scholars to pursue science, ancient art, and philosophy.
According to these scholars, the Renaissance was also the result of the deadly pandemic that decimated 50% of Europe’s population from 1347 to 1351 AD, called the Black Death. The scholars believe that the threatening nature and the way it ravaged populations altered many people’s psychological outlook, leading many survivors to invest in their own lives different from the Church’s idea of the afterlife.
The theory suggests that survivors experienced a subtle paradigm shift in their religious engagement. Most viewed righteousness as a human relationship to God via culture and art and not through death and vague rituals.
A different theory considers the practical route and delves into the political and social conditions in the years after the Black Death plague.
It is regarded as the birthplace of a Renaissance with its works such as the Mona Lisa done by Leonardo da Vinci, and David sculptured by Michelangelo. The city had one of the greatest art schools, the school of Florence.
Florence became a focal point in the Renaissance time period due to the socioeconomic factors following the aftermath of the pandemic Black Death. Like any other city in Italy at the time, Florence was raved by the plague, causing the collapse of the feudal structure.
Secondly, Humanism stresses the compatibility and truth that exist in all theological and philosophical systems and schools.
Thirdly, Humanism focuses on man’s dignity.
However, it does not mean that propagates of Humanism eschewed religion. They still viewed and venerated religion as a means by which man connects to his maker God. This shift was evident in many scholastic spheres as many medieval subjective conclusions witnessed relegation. The focus shifted to studying ancient texts and conclusions driven from empirical evidence.
or example, Michelangelo inspired sculpturing mind-blowing statues during his stay at the Medici as a young man. He studied the ancient Greek and Roman works that the Medici kept in their library. He is today known as the greatest Renaissance man of all time, influencing art for centuries since his demise.
Art influence was conspicuous compared to the earlier medieval art that focused on realism. The art had drowned from using a two-dimensional representation that was considered imprecise to a more realistic perspective using linearity, shadow, light, and human anatomy that were regarded as realistic.
The age of the high Renaissance was predominated by three musketeers: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.
Michelangelo had prowess in sculpturing, painting, and architecture, demonstrating his understanding of the human body.
Rafael was revered for his articulate use of color and his way of creating perspective.
The great Leonardo da Vinci is remembered for his two most popular paintings: The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.
However, the achievements of these guys depended on the achievements of their predecessors from which they greatly borrowed. Giotto is regarded as one such artist who enhanced his work by adding personality and weight. He is remembered for his famous quote: “Giotto makes massive Madonnas.”
Masaccio, a brilliant mathematician and talented artist was an early contributor to the arts’ linear perspective. Giotto and many others like him were also prominent during the high Renaissance time period.
Filippo Brunelleschi adopted Roman architecture elements using Roman shapes, columns, and scale in building his statues. He is known for his eight-sided dome in Florence built at the Santa Maria del Fiore. This structure was considered an engineering triumph- weighing 37,000 tons, 144 feet long, and with no buttresses to support it up.
Editor’s note: this post was originally published in February 2023 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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Paolo Modena
My name is Paolo. I am a photographer. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in Italy, surrounded by the art that is the envy of the world. I enjoy photography because it has caused me to fall in love with light, shade, and color. I see the world around me with fresh eyes every single day. And sometimes, when the mood is right, I just sit back and enjoy the moment without taking a photo.