The Renaissance

MAP of Florence and Humanism

  • Influence of Humanism in Quattrocento Italy

    • Humanism as a cultural and intellectual movement focusing on human potential and achievements.

    • Widespread popularity of books due to the invention of the printing press.

    • Development of perspective systems and revival of human anatomy and portraiture during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance in Quattrocento Italy (15th Century)

Sculptural Competitions in Florence

  • Filippo Brunelleschi vs. Lorenzo Ghiberti

    • Brunelleschi

      • Created the Sacrifice of Isaac panel, utilizing gilded bronze.

      • Notable for violent movement and high emotional impact in his style.

    • Ghiberti

      • Also created a Sacrifice of Isaac panel using gilded bronze, winning the competition.

      • Emphasized grace and revival of classical values.

    • Timeframe of competition: 1401-1402

    • Significance: The freedom of Florentines and their ideas in jeopardy.

Florence Sculpture Comparisons

  • Contrast of Styles

    • Brunelleschi’s style versus Ghiberti’s.

    • Winning style: Ghiberti’s elegance aligned with classical revival, which was favored and received the commission.

    • Contextual understanding of art's emotional and aesthetic contrasts during the era.

Donatello and Classical Concepts

  • Donatello's Saint Mark

    • Material: Marble, height: 7’9”, located in Florence, Italy.

    • Commissioned by the Guild of Linen Makers and Tailors.

    • Key Contributions:

      • Reintroduction of classical concepts in Renaissance statuary.

      • Notable technique: Contrapposto in statue positioning.

      • Explanation of Contrapposto: A method of positioning the weight of the body, creating tension on one side and relaxation on the other (asymmetrical balance).

      • Focus on motion: The robe accentuates rather than conceals movement, marking it as the first Renaissance statue to exhibit this.

Concept of Contrapposto

  • Further elaboration on Contrapposto:

    • Positioning induces tension in lower body while the upper half relaxes, creating dynamic balance.

    • Reference to Greek sculpture demonstrating Contrapposto, hinting at historical roots.

Invention of Linear Perspective

  • Filippo Brunelleschi's Contribution

    • Recognized as the inventor/rediscoverer of linear perspective.

      • Described as the “rationalization of sight”.

      • Mathematical expression of visual sensations, enabling a systematic approach to painting and representation.

      • Significance: Facilitated the creation of precise maps, drawings, and diagrams, laying the groundwork for modern scientific disciplines.

    • Important note on the breadth of consequences linear perspective incurred in the arts and sciences.

Understanding Atmospheric Perspective

  • Definition of atmospheric perspective:

    • Phenomenon where colors or lines fade in intensity with depth and distance.

    • Use of this technique enhances the sensory realism in painting.

Artwork and Innovations

  • Lorenzo Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise

    • Created the east door of the Baptistery of San Giovanni, made of gilded bronze, standing 17’ high (crafted between 1425-1452, modern replica completed in 1990).

    • Embraces Brunelleschi's unified perspective system.

      • Illustrated through episodes from the Old Testament.

      • Employed various perspectives:

      • Linear perspective

      • Atmospheric perspective

      • Almost fully round figures to enhance depth perception.

Masaccio and New Representational Devices

  • Masaccio's Innovations

    • Brief yet impactful career.

    • Introduction of advanced representational devices in art:

      • Light Direction: Visible light source integrated into artwork.

      • Body Structure: Revived monumentality in figures, building on Giotto's legacy.

      • Figure Arrangement & Atmospheric perspective: Drawing from Roman heritage.

    • Major work: Tribute Money (Brancacci Chapel, Florence, ca. 1424-27, fresco dimensions: 8’4” x 19’7”).

Religion and Humanism in Art

  • Fra Angelico's Annunciation

    • Location: San Marco, Florence, Italy, dated ca. 1438-1447.

    • Fresco dimensions: 7’1” x 10’6”.

    • Notable for its simplicity and tranquility, mirroring the artist’s own humility.

    • The painting reflects humanism interwoven with religious themes.

Fra Filippo Lippi’s Unique Style

  • Artist Background

    • Notable influence of Masaccio and Ghiberti on Lippi's work.

    • Innovation of linear style incorporating live models.

    • Emphasis on realistic landscape representation and the humanization of religious themes.

    • Key artwork: Madonna and Child with Angels (ca. 1460-65, tempera on wood dimensions: 2’11” x 2’1”).

Paolo Uccello and Symbolism

  • Battle of San Romano

    • Timeframe: circa 1435 or 1455, technique: tempera on wood, dimensions: 6’ x 10’5”.

    • Displays scenes of Florentine victory over Sienese forces.

    • Symbolic use of the Medici family (e.g., symbols like orange fruits or medicinal apples).

    • Analysis of landscape perspective and foreshortening in the composition.

Medici Patronage in Art

  • Influence on Artistic Themes

    • Growth of interest in Greco-Roman mythology reflected in Renaissance art.

    • Reasons behind the choice of ancient themes over contemporary religion as articulated by Neo-Platonists.

      • Viewpoint: Earthly love harmonizes with Christian theology.

    • Example: Primavera by Sandro Botticelli (ca. 1482, tempera on wood, dimensions: 6’8” x 10’4”).

Botticelli's Iconography

  • Birth of Venus

    • Artwork created circa 1484-86, dimensions: 5’9” x 9’2”.

    • Exhibit of Botticelli’s linear style derived from Fra Filippo Lippi.

    • Direct influence of the ancient Venus statue in the painting's conception.

      • Comparison to Aphrodite of Knidos from around 340–330 BCE by Praxiteles.

Architectural Elements by Filippo Brunelleschi

  • Architectural Features

    • Definitions:

      • Nave: Main, middle open space in a church.

      • Aisle: Longitudinal spaces alongside the nave.

      • Dome: Hemispheric top structure.

      • Transept: Cross space perpendicular to the nave.

      • Apse: Semicircular niche at the choir's end.

      • Colonnade: Series of columns.

    • Notable project: Plan of Santo Spirito (Florence, Italy, 1434-36).

Cruciform and Mathematical Proportions of Churches

  • Basilican Church Design

    • Characterized as a cruciform (cross-shaped) structure.

    • The crossing bay defined as a unit of measure: 20 by 20 braccia (subdivided dimensions for rhythmic harmony).

    • One braccio translates to approx. 23 inches.

    • Example: Interior of Santo Spirito (Florence, Italy, 1434-36, begun 1446).

Influence of Ancient Rome on Renaissance Art

  • Reinforced elements:

    • Romanesque arches: Integrated for structural support.

    • Austerity in decoration and logical design approaches reflecting Renaissance ideals.

Scientific Approaches in Art

  • Foreshortening Techniques

    • Definition: Artistic phenomena where objects appear shorter than they are in reality when viewed from a particular angle.

    • Example from Mantegna: Stigmata depicted with deliberately reduced foot size to invoke perspective.

      • Stigmata meaning: Marks left on the body by the crucifixion.

      • Reference: Mantegna's Dead Christ (watch emphasis video, created around 1500, tempera on canvas dimensions: 2’ 2 3/4” x 2’ 8”).