Early Renaissance

Early Renaissance Florence, Italy & Flanders were the main centers for Renaissance Renaissance means “Rebirth” Renaissance was a time of great cultural achievement/study in sciences, philosophy, art and literature Influenced by Humanism: thought to be an approach to studying the Greek/Roman classics and the human experience, anatomy and all A renewed appreciation of classical Greco-Roman art Invention of moveable type (printing literature on large scale, quicker) Study of Anatomy

Why Florence and the Renaissance Flourished Pope settled nearby: Church had lots of $ to spend on embellishment Florence proved itself a formidable area Banking center The Medici’s became the uber patrons of the arts

Characteristics of Early Renaissance Art Religious content treated with a Humanist approach Content broadened to include Roman history and mythology Chiascuro: Patterns of light and dark values that suggest volume Emphasis upon proportional studies, linear perspective/depth perception, contraposto (twisted pose) and realistic expression http://www.robinurton.com/history/Renaissance/madonnas.htm

Notable Artists Giotto di Bondone (thought to be the first renaissance artist)

Donatello Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi; c. 1386 – December 13, 1466

Donatello Donatello: Madonna of the Clouds, ca.1425-35 The technique of rilievo schiacciato developed by Donatello and seen in Madonna of the Clouds featured a “fine gradation of the surfaces which produces the impression of an almost infinite pictorial space.” Prophet Jeremiah 1427 Marble

Became a model for consequent equestrian sculptures for hundreds of years *made of bronze & erected independently Donatello's equestrian statue of Gattamelata at Padua.

Fra Angelico The Entombment of Christ, c. 1450 The Adoration of the Magi, c. 1440/1460 The Entombment of Christ, c. 1450

Sandro Botticelli Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi Born 1445-1510 approx. Botticelli means “little barrel” & it is believed the name was applied to his older brother first Apprenticed in Filippo Lippi’s studio Soon outshined his mentor and earned the patronage of the Medici’s Painted frescoes in the Sistine Chapel Frescoe: painting created in the wet plaster of a wall….not on the surface like a mural.

His style included elongated figures, much like those seen in Gothic art Tender and sad expressions and gestures Use of line and decorative detail in creating expressive subjects Use of neo-platonism= Chrisitian and mythological ideas/stories

Venus and Mars c. 1485 Egg tempera and oil on poplar

The birth of Venus c. 1485 Tempera on canvas

Primavera Tempera on wood, c. 1482

Architecture Gothic architecture is asymmetrical Renaissance architecture is symmetrical Use of classical columns and pilasters (flat colums with shaft, base and a capital) Use of a symmetrical façade Use of module to construct

Filippo Brunelleschi Sculptor and Architect, 1377-1446 Church of San Spirito The Duomo Florence, Italy

San Lorenzo

Resources http://www.artchive.com/artchive/B/botticelli.html http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/renaissance/earlyrenaiss.htm http://arthistory.about.com/cs/arthistory10one/a/early_ren.htm http://www.historylink101.com/art/Sandro_Botticelli/bio_Botticelli.htm http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63843.asp http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Filippo_Brunelleschi.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello http://www.mimenta.com/Mimenta_Art/Images/Extra%20Graphics/VA09/Renaissance_Giotto.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Fra_Filippo_Lippi_009.jpg