1 hour video pt 2

The Florentine Renaissance

• Background: The Renaissance in Florence was marked by conflict but also by the emergence of significant cultural figures like Giotto, Dante, Michelangelo, and Leonardo.

• Contributions:

  • Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine, named America using maps and instruments from Florence, showcasing the interconnectedness of the period's advancements.

  • Galileo worked alongside these innovators, representing the birthplace of modern science.

• Modernity versus Tradition:

  • The Renaissance was characterized by a fresh approach to classical traditions, merging modern experimentation with historical insights.

  • The failure of the Middle Ages to integrate past knowledge is contrasted with the Florentine Renaissance's success in assimilating classical worldview, humanism, and rich mythological themes.

Northern Renaissance Art

• Contrast with Southern Art:

  • The movement began in the late medieval courts of Northern Europe, beginning with magnificent courts like that of the Burgundian Dukes.

  • Illustrations from the period (e.g., by the Limbourg brothers) depicted stark realities, expressing the contrasts of luxury and poverty (e.g., dukes feasting while peasants endure harsh winters).

• Illuminations and Techniques:

  • Works of the Limbourg brothers showcased detailed realism, a key feature in Northern art.

  • Their career began at the French court of Duke Philip the Bold, highlighting early connections between art and nobility.

• Duke Philip’s Funeral Procession:

  • Philip’s elaborate funeral procession (14/04) illustrated the spectacle of royal death, underlining the artistic integration of life, death, and public performance.

  • Claes Sluter’s Well of Moses exemplified intense realism and theatricality, depicting Old Testament prophets with a strong emotional narrative.

The Burgundian Court

• Wealth and Culture:

  • The Burgundian court was known for extravagance, with artworks being highly valued and predominantly portable (tapestries, illuminated manuscripts).

  • Bruges emerged as a bustling center of commerce, influencing artistic endeavors significantly.

• Family Ties in Art:

  • Influences from Italian merchants who settled in Bruges reflected the blend of Northern and Southern European art styles.

• Jan van Eyck:

  • Best known for the 'Arnolfini Portrait,' where he cleverly used detailed realism and inscriptions to denote presence, marking him as a leading Northern artist.

Techniques in Northern Art

• Contrast with Italian Techniques:

  • Northern artists like Jan van Eyck utilized oil paints to create depth and translucency unseen in Italian works of the same period.

  • Paintings such as 'Primavera' represent themes of life events and mythology, contrasting with the illusionistic religious depictions of Italy.

Artists and Their Contributions

• Influence of Other Artists:

  • Artists like Donatello and Michelangelo began incorporating classical nudes, emphasizing a return to antiquity while also weaving in religious symbolism.

• Durer's Journey and Influence:

  • Albrecht Durer, drawn to Italian techniques, developed his art in response to both the North and South, leading to intricate, narrative-driven engravings.

  • His works showcased evolving themes of nature, identity, and psychological depth.

Grunewald and Expression

• Isenheim Altarpiece:

  • Matthias Grunewald's altarpiece is notable for its vivid expression of Jesus' anguish and resurrection, encapsulating a wide emotional range and depth of Christian faith.

  • Contrasts with the emerging styles that enforced rigid interpretations of Christian themes.

Shifts in Artistic Power

• Transition to the North:

  • Post-1500, shifts began where Antwerp and London started assuming greater significance in art, pulling momentum away from Italy.

  • The discovery of Aztec gold denotes the wealth accumulation and cultural shifts towards Northern Europe, laying groundwork for modern Western art.

• Anticipation of the Climax of Renaissance:

  • As Durer concluded his journeys, the south was experiencing the peak of artistic development in Rome, foreseeing a clash between emerging Northern novelty and the established Southern tradition.