Renaissance Art & Architecture The Interesting, the Weird, & the Awe-inspiring

Renaissance Artists & Architects Were Humanists that created art w/ these ideas. Created art for their employers. Were supported w/ supplies, lodging, labor, & pupils. Needed money to pay for their creations. Raphael

Renaissance Artists & Architects 2. Patrons of the Arts… Were wealthy men who supported artists. Wanted to display their greatness w/ art. Art made them seem more civilized, educated, & hip. Wanted to beautify their homes & their city. Much like today, patrons wanted to be seen as wealthy & powerful, but also as an active member in urban/civil life. Lorenzo de Medici, The Magnificent

Renaissance Artists & Architects Why would Patrons of the Arts want to beautify their homes & cities? Make themselves look better than their rivals. It is no different than showing off a new phone. Make their city look better than their rival cities. It is no different than Lexington & Louisville. This artistic competition added to the diversity & the quality of Renaissance art.

Renaissance Artists & Architects Medieval Art Focus: Religious & devotion to it Themes: Heaven/Hell, Sin/Salvation, humility

Renaissance Artists & Architects Medieval Art Figures: stiff, lifeless, unrealistic, human body is sinful/disgusting Colors: faded, dark, little variety

Renaissance Artists & Architects Medieval Art Renaissance Art Focus: Secular, Religious, & Classical Themes: Life/Nature, Classical myths, Bible stories.

Renaissance Artists & Architects Medieval Art Renaissance Art Figures: fluid, realistic, Classical poses, body is okay (nudes) Colors: bright, vibrant, wide variety

Depth and Perspective One of the most notable features of Renaissance Art is that of improved techniques to give paintings the appearance of depth Some scholars think that many of the ideas that lead to this can be traced back to Islamic mathematicians who developed ideas in areas of perspective and optics during the European Medieval Era This leads us to the question of where all the “great” Islamic art is? Due to the tenets of Islam it is seen as blasphemy to try to perfectly recreate the human form, so much of Islamic art is geometric patterns or plant life, not the super realistic images of humanity we associate with European art. That is not to say Islamic art with human subjects didn’t exist, it just wasn’t pushed towards “perfection” the same way European art was

Renaissance Artists & Architects 3. Over time, Italian merchants would become poor due to a very large & powerful enemy. The Spice Trade was closed in the 1450’s when the Ottoman Empire conquered E. Europe. W/o money from the Spice Trade, Italian merchants could not pay for art so artists looked for other patrons, like the Church.

Renaissance Artists & Architects 4. As a result of their patronage of art, the Catholic Church… Became corrupt, immoral, & secular. Wished to increase its wealth & power. Used donations to build unnecessary buildings & live luxurious lives. Why is this a problem? How do you deal with corruption?

Renaissance Artists & Architects 5. Much like w/ the rebirth of Classically-inspired art, Classically-inspired architecture was also a feature of the Renaissance. Many Roman ruins remained throughout Italy, however… No one knew how to engineer these buildings as that info was lost w/ the Romans. During the Renaissance, Ancients texts revealed how to engineer these buildings. Artists studied the ruins in Rome and spread their discoveries. Let’s take a look at these buildings!

End of the Renaissance, Rise of New Monarchs 1. Along w/ a decline in trade due to the Ottomans blocking the Spice Trade, the other factor that ended the REN in Italy was foreign invasion by the kings of northern Europe. By the early 1500’s, these kings wanted the wealth of Italy and the power & glory that came with it. Trade was moving away from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. Kings wanted to control the Altantic & claim all the wealth & lands they found. Kings of Spain, France, & England would become new model monarchs that would be more powerful than any of their ancestors.

End of the Renaissance, Rise of New Monarchs 2. W/ more wealth, the Kings of Europe… Created massive armies. Built large palaces. Encouraged more trade & exploration in the Atlantic. Wanted to control as much land as they could. And wherever they could, even if that was thousands of miles away.

End of the Renaissance, Rise of New Monarchs 3. By 1530, Italy was conquered by these kings & the Renaissance was over. However, the ideas of glory, power, accomplishment, education, & creativity remained. What are the biggest, most important results of the Renaissance?

Results of the Renaissance Political Results: GOV’s became more powerful & focused on wealth. Economic Results: Trade & exploration was focused more on the Atlantic Ocean. Cultural Results: Education became the key to a better life. Religious Results: Catholic Church was corrupted by Renaissance ideas & calls for reform began. Take this time to find out Vocab Terms on 1A!