Art History - Early Renaissance

What was the Italian Renaissance, and how long did it last?

A cultural shift that began in 15th century Italy lasting until the 16th century. It was a period of rebirth, resulting in classical influences on art, and huge advances in art and science. Birth of individualism.

Define Humanism

A focus on humans, especially in artwork, instead of religious figures

Ex. Lippi’s portrait of a Woman and a Man

What was the significance of Petrarch to the Renaissance?

Father of Italian Humanism, helped revive the study of Greek and Latin Literature, believed in the importance of the humanities, and human literature rather than divine scripture.

What made Florence so significant to the Renaissance?

Birthplace of the Renaissance, strong civic identity, had a strong patronage of the arts from the Medici family

Florentines believed that arts were equal to liberal arts (artists are people, more than just their skill)

Define Naturalism

Art that is realistic in appearance and relatable to the natural world

Ex. Realistic face on Donatello’s Gattamelata

Define Classicism

the use of classical ideas and aesthetics in art

Ex. contrapasto pose in Donatello’s David

Define Foreshortening

Artistic technique used to create the illusion of objects either projecting forward or receding back into space. Used to create depth in flat mediums such as painting and drawing.

Ex. Mantegna’s Camera Picta Ceiling

Name the three defining elements of Renaissance Art

Classicism, Humanism, Naturalism

What is the difference between a Relief Sculpture and a Sculpture in the Round?

A relief sculpture is flat on one side, made to be viewed only from the front, a sculpture in the round is made to be viewed from 360 degrees.

Define Linear Perspective

A perspective technique utilizing receding diagonal lines meeting at one point on the horizon to create the illusion of depth (created by Brunelleschi)

Ex. Masaccio’s Holy Trinity

Neoplatonism

Belief in ideal beauty, unity, pure colours (ex. Birth of Venus by Botticelli

Who were the Medicis?

A very wealthy banking family that held a lot of power in Renaissance Florence. Commissioned a lot of Renaissance Artwork (ex. Commission of Botticelli’s Primavera)

What was a Guild?

A professional association of artisans or merchants that practice their craft in a specific area

What is a Nude?

An artistic depiction of the unclothed human form

Extremely popular in Ancient Greek art 

Ex. Birth of Venus

Define contrappasto 

a pose often featured in Ancient Greek artwork where the subject’s hips and shoulder are tilted, one straight leg and one bent to create a sense of movement 

Ex. Donatello’s David

Define Condottiere

a hired general or mercenary

Ex. Donatello’s Gattamelata

What are the three types of classical column capitals?

Doric: rectangular, cushion shape

Ionic: Scroll shaped

Corinthian: elaborately decorated with acanthus leaves

Ex. For Corinthian: Brunelleschi’s Interior of San Lorenzo, Florence

Define Arcade

a series of columns connected by arches

Ex. Brunelleschi’s Foundling Hospital

Define Loggia

A covered arcade at ground level on the façade of a building

Ex. Brunelleschi’s foundling hospital

Define String Course

Horizontal moldings dividing elevation

Ex. Brunelleschi’s foundling hospital