Italian Renaissance

Two of the most recognizable eras in human history were the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. They began with the rise of the Italian city states in Europe. Their influence can be seen in architecture, art, and literary works. The Renaissance also highlighted Humanism. Humanism was a way of life that focused on human beings, their values, and aspirations. Alongside these changes, the Scientific Revolution was beginning. New discoveries were being made in mathematics, astronomy, medicine…

The European Renaissance began in the northern city-states of Italy during the early 14th century and gradually spread its’ roots over Western Europe in 15th and 16th century. The origin of il Rinascimento, literally meaning ‘The Renaissance’ can traced back to the well-known and wealthy Italian cities of Genoa, Florence, and Venice. Since much of the inspiration behind the cultural changes during this era was drawn from the legacies of classical European societies such as Ancient Rome, and…

Despite nearly 2000 years separating the creation of Polykleitos’s Doryphoros and Donatello’s David, the two sculptures shared astonishingly similar features, yet both remained true to the stylistic characteristics of their respective time periods. These artists incorporated both predictable and cutting edge ideas into their works. Doryphoros, also known as the Spear Bearer, was a marble reinvention of Polykleitos’s original bronze sculpture circa 450 - 440 BCE. Most ancient Greek statues were…

The period of the Italian Renaissance, immediately following the Middle Ages saw a great rebirth of interest in the classical learning and ancient Greco-Roman values. In a society with strong political stability and growing prosperity, there was a development of new technologies–including the printing press, a new approach to astronomy and the continuous discovery and exploration of new continents–was followed up by a flowering of philosophy, literature and especially art. The new styles of…

The Renaissance was a period of "rebirth" that started in Europe following the Middle Ages. This time-period was characterized by an escalation in the interest of classical themes and the representation of human potential or humanism. The surge of classics can be seen in the art of the time, which often depicted both Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. The new artistic conventions were significantly distinct from those of the Middle Ages, which frequently depicted human figures as flat and…

the rediscovery of classical texts and their influence on Renaissance culture. During the Italian Renaissance, much of the artwork focused on figures important to Christianity such as Madonna, Jesus, and David, as well as on mythological figures such as Venus and Mars. The subjects of these artworks reflect the emphasis on classical philosophy and religion at the time, the “symmetry between the presence of classical motifs in Renaissance art and the influence of antique sources” (Stowell). In…

During the fifteenth century, the emergence of the Renaissance lead to the development of distinct geographical painting styles both North and South of the Alps. Though the Alps were often viewed as a dividing line that kept the styles separate, various paintings of the time reflect an interaction of artistic influences across them. Perhaps one of the most fascinating examples of North and South interplay is Antonello da Messina’s St. Jerome in his Study, 1470’s, National Gallery, London. An…

Parmigianino (c. 1503-1540) was one of the most gentle and graceful artist of the Italian painters. His style was mainly influenced by Correggio and later influenced by Raphael. His works, whether painted or copper prints, had a great influence on Italy and Northern Europe. We can find that most of his paintings have slender necks and hands. This characteristic has the meaning s of anti-religious reform. "Madonna with the Long Neck" is an example of this. "Madonna with the Long Neck" is an oil…

The Renaissance can be described as the 14th century full revival of humanism. During this era, Renaissance scholars sought to revive the study of literature and culture both past and present. Europe faced many uprising eras but the Renaissance in particular was the most influential. Many effective artists created the most inspiring and brilliant pieces of work. Every portrait displayed throughout the Renaissance shows the beliefs and principles of what they followed during this period in time.…

In his mid-twenties, he traveled to Venice and studied under Titian, who was the most renowned painter of his day. Learning from Titian, El Greco mastered many aspects of Renaissance painting such as perspective, constructing figures, and creating detailed narrative scenes. These particular skills were noticed especially in his painting above which depicts a visionary experience and explores the spiritual imagination. Being…