15th Century Art In Italy I

Lesson Intro

* Filippo Brunelleschi's old sacristy. Found in church of San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy.

Renaissance -- Re means again. Naissance means "birth" | Thus it is a Rebirth.

Patron Families

* Wealthy families provided patronage for influential art. Patronage was money. 

- Patronage is the support and financial aid given to a cause.

* The Medici family of Florence was one of the most famous patron families. Family of influential bankers living in Florence. They had large amounts of money, patronizing artwork such as buildings, paintings, and sculpture. They had no specific noble ties but they were so wealthy that they influenced Florence very strongly. For Rome and Flroence

* One example of work commissioned by Medici family-- The Church of San Lorenzo. In Florence, Italy. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The artist is one of the most important, influential architects of his time. He designed this in 1442, an it was finished in 1470.

* Example footprint of San Lorenzo. The medici family paid for a new basicila-type style. Very mathematical, proportions are correct. Everything is relative to something else. 

* Mathematical accuracy is a key characteristic of the Renaissance as artists sought to create perfect image through its use--What they called "modules," they could obtain a sense of geometric regularity, ensuring peace and harmony in the design. 

* Brunelleschi's use of the impost block also featured. It was one of his most loved architectural elements. It served the main purpose to increase the height of the columns. Usually the column would end at the capital with a lintel or supporting the outer end of an arch. Instead, he used an impost block to increase the height.

Ancient Roman Revival

*Artists looked back to Ancient Rome (And GREECE) for inspiration and guidance

* They used the mathematical regularities and proportions that Romans held Ideal

* These drove the post-gothic medieval period. 

- New mathematical systems of perspective were developed 

- Architects began using mathematical design principles in their buildings

- Figures (sculptures and architectural structures) resembled those found in Ancient Roman Art

One example is the Foundling Hospital

* Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1444. It introduced the Renaissance style.

* The foundling hospital is an orphanage, it was comissioned by the guild of silk manufacturers and goldsmiths. Evidence of philanthropy. 

* Covered porch (portico) featured. It just keeps on going off into the distance, but he flanked this whole series of bays with two larger bays at the end. Make a building stop.  Shows importance of math in Renaissance style. 

* Singular 20 by 20 bay. The column's height is 20, the space between itself is 20 ft. Above it is a hemispherical pendentive dome (arch). This relationship forms a perfect square shape. Each end of this arch terminates at each pilaster, or column, meaning that the diameter is 20 and the radius is 10. Overall, this hemisphere could be made into a full circle by the column, the floor, and the imaginary line. 

* Artist has defined mathematical proportions by using a dark gray stone called Pietra Serena, up against a background of dark white. 

Extra definitions:

  • Medici family - one of the most famous patron families

  • Patronage - support or financial aid given to a cause

  • Impost block - the slab at the top of a column between the column and the architectural member above

  • Filippo Brunelleschi - One of the foremost architects and engineers of the Italian Renaissance