Early Renaissance in Italy: 15th C. 1400-1500 Italian city-states: Ferrara, Florence, Mantua, Naples, Rome, Venice

Key Ideas Fine arts is impacted by the revitalization of literature, history, and philosophy. Renaissance courts are impacted by humanism and secularism. Artists create realistic 3-D paintings based on new theories of linear perspective. Italian Renaissance sculpture is marked by a greater understanding of human anatomy. Revival of large scale nude works. Architecture emphasizes open light spaces, balance, and symmetry.

Linear perspective

Historical Background Wealthy families ruled the Italian city-states, controlling politics, economics, and directing art. All of the cutting edge artist movements were coming from Italy- artists were commissioned for paintings, to build great architectural feats, etc. Humanism- exploring the human aspect of life (specifically, studying the classic ideas from Greek and Roman philosophy, like law, logic, natural philosophy, medicine, etc.) Exploration of the world becomes a European theme, introducing new themes in science, materials, and the arts.

Patronage and Artistic Life Wealthy families typically paid to have private chapels built in local churches for their own personal use (decorated lavishly, of course). Paintings are often identified by the patron’s chapels (Ex: Masaccio painted Tribute Money for the Brancacci Chapel in Santa Maria del Carmine)

Innovations in Architecture Greatest Technological Achievement of the period: The Florence Cathedral Dome, by Brunelleschi Waited over 100 years for the technology to be developed. Ogival arch that revolves into a dome 2 domes, one within the other, to maximize strength and stability (interior dome supports, exterior dome is pretty) A lantern on top anchors the domes together

Characteristics of 15th C. Italian Architecture Focus is on order, clarity, and light (as opposed to Gothic cathedrals and their dark, mysterious, and creepy vibe) Wide open window spaces (not stained glass) and vivid wall paintings. Stress geometric designs and Ideal proportions (thank you, Romans) Unvaulted naves, coffered ceilings Crossing is 2X the size of nave bays, nave 2X the width of side aisles, arches and columns make up 2/3 the height of the nave, etc.

Dome of Florence Cathedral Filippo Brunelleschi 1420-1436 Florence

Pazzi Chapel Filippo Brunelleschi 1423 (designed) 1442-1465 (built) Florence

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi Michelozzo 1444 Florence

Palazzo Rucellai Leon Battista Alberti 1452-1470 Florence

Sant’ Andrea Leon Battista Alberti 1470 Mantua, Italy

Innovations in Painting and Sculpture Development most characteristic of Italian Renaissance painting- linear perspective Credit goes to Brunelleschi for bringing it back! Object and people are draw proportionate to each other (medieval art depicted people dominating objects on the page) Perspective is also used to fool the eye (tromp l’oeil technique) and is used in sculpture for relief castings and carving.

Characteristics of Early Renaissance Italian Painting Religious paintings during early 15th C., then portrait and mythological scenes (reflecting humanism) Nudes become common again

Adoration of the Magi Gentile da Fabriano 1423 Tempera on panel Uffizi, Florence, Italy

Detail of Adoration of the Magi

Holy Trinity Masaccio 1427 Fresco Santa Maria Novella, Florence

Detail of Holy Trinity

Tribute Money Masaccio 1425 Fresco Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence

Battle of San Romano Paolo Uccello 1455 Tempera on wood

The Last Supper Andrea del Castagno 1447 Sant’ Apollonia, Florence

Battle of Ten Naked Men Antonio del Pollaiuolo 1465-1470 engraving

Room of the Newlyweds Andrea Mantegna 1465-1474 Fresco Ducal Palace, Mantua, Italy

Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to Saint Peter Pietro Perugino 1482 Fresco Sistine Chapel, Rome

Birth of Venus Sandra Botticelli 1485 Tempera on canvas Uffizi, Florence

Spring Sandro Botticelli 1482 Tempera on wood Uffizi, Florence

Damned Cast into Hell Luca Signorelli 1499-1504 Fresco Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto, Italy

Characteristics of Early Renaissance Italian Sculpture Interest in humanism leads to a rebirth of classic Greek and Roman sculptures. Nudity Revival or large scale nude sculptures (starting with Donatello’s David) Increased study of human anatomy “heroic” bodies Often depict intense physical interaction (twisting forms, straining muscles- similar to Hellenistic Greek sculpture.

Sacrifice of Isaac Lorenzo Ghiberti 1401-1403 Gilt bronze

Sacrifice of Isaac Filippo Brunelleschi 1401-1403 bronze

Gates of Paradise Lorenzo Ghiberti 1425-1452 Gilt bronze

Four Crowned Saints Nanni di Banco 1409-1417 Marble Or San Michele, Florence

David Donatello Bronze 1420’s-1460’s

Mary Magdalene Donatello 1430-1450 Wood

Madonna and Child Luca della Robbia 1455-1460 Terra cotta Or San Michele, Florence

Colleoni Andrea del Verrocchio 1481-1496 bronze