The Renaissance in Italy

The Italian City-states Italy conduit for travel and commerce between Europe and East Cities independent from kings and popes Merchant princes Medici family--powerful banking family Charitable to arts Civic humanism

Renaissance Humanism Humans God greatest creation Humanist: student of classical ideas Glorified beauty and order in nature Pico’s Oration: man had choice of goodness or evil in himself Great reformers, artists, writers, inventors.

Lorenzo “The Magnificent” Patron of the arts Praised Plato; civic leader; poet Wrote songs in Italian Gave money and support to artists in Florence Had many libraries, museums and palaces built for Florence

Ghiberti’s Baptistery Doors Competition for Baptistery Doors Ghiberti and Bunelleschi--Abraham and Isaac Ghiberti won-- Classical style;48 years! Michelangelo: “Gates of Paradise” Story of Jacob & Esau: optical perspective

Brunelleschi’s Domes Florence’s greatest Renaissance architect Studied Rome’s ancient buildings Domed roof over cathedral altar Simplicity and reason Pazzi Chapel--Roman architecture Attempt by Pazzi on Lorenzo’s life in chapel

Florentine Painting: A Refined Classicism Life-like figures, volume and perspective. Fresco technique Masaccio-- depth through modeling and atmospheric effects The Tribute Money--chiaroscuro Atmospheric and linear perspective

Sandro Botticelli La Primavera blending of mythology and Christianity Adoration of the Magi honored the Medici patrons. Includes himself in painting Classical ruins anachronistic

Italian Renaissance Music The Mass Sacred motets in Latin secular song Guillaume Dufay--monody Heinrich Isaac Polyphonic songs: frottola and madrigal Maddalena Casulana

Donatello Brought back the free-standing nude: David Brought back the free-standing nude: David Used contrapposto Biblical description of David: adolescent Tuscan hat Pagan (classical) rather than Christian

Michelangelo in Florence By age 22 already rival to Donatello In Rome: Pieta Florence’s David: classical values with a biblical theme Captured his spirit/ hero in stone

The Decline of Florence Savonarola Appealed to poor and working people Condemned Church’s corruption and excesses of wealth “Bonfire of the Vanities” Defeated and burned at the stake Message affected artists

Machiavelli’s The Prince Florentine diplomat--described realities of political philosophy and power The Prince masterpiece of political philosophy. Realistic Describes the ideal prince or ruler: only strong, ruthless leaders keep country safe from foreign domination Machiavellian: end justifies means

The Genius of Leonardo Arts, sciences, engineering, mathematics Not true to only one patron/ruler Restless, inquisitive True genius

Leonardo as Scientist Notebooks: Mirror writing Tanks, submarines, airplane Lacked propulsion Unpublished

Leonardo as Painter The Last Supper Madonna of the Rocks Classical triangle composition: Renaissance Mona Lisa sfumato Painting: the highest art

The Renaissance Man…and Woman Leonardo: Renaissance man Baldassare Castiglione: Universal man Isabella d’Este Educated, cultured, refined tastes. Patroness of the arts Ruled her city in husband’s absence Multi-talented

Patronage of the Renaissance Wealthy church officials and families employed artists for beauty and entertainment: contracts Popes and princes: Julius II and Leo X Sometimes there were problems between patrons and artists

Josquin des Prez: Composer High Renaissance Leo X meditated in the Sistine Chapel listening to the choir of cappella music. Male musicians; girls had to have private lessons or attend a convent Greatest composer of High Renaissance Match between words and music, complex polyphony: word painting and imitation

Raphael Julius II: apartments in the Vatican: stanze Known for his Madonnas School of Athens Aristotle and Plato in center Portraits of contemporary figures Michelangelo front center figure Raphael buried in Pantheon. Only artist to be buried there.

Michelangelo in Rome 1505 Pope Julius II ordered Michelangelo to Rome to build his tomb Captives: soul striving to break free from sin Tomb unfinished. Moses embodies Michelangelo’s temper: terribilita Mature man

Sistine Chapel Ceiling 1508: Julius asked M. to paint ceiling Used Old Testament as prophecy of Christ’s coming Combines classical and Christian ideas, tension between spirit and flesh Muscular energy Confident colors

The New St. Peter’s Last years devoted to architecture Old basilica demolished and modernized 150 years to complete Greek Cross floorplan M.’s design seen only from the rear Conflict between 12 architects and 22 popes Limited funds in Vatican

An Age of Giants Why such concentration of talent in Italy? Cultural center of beauty and learning Triumph of the human spirit