The Renaissance, Part I The resurgence of classical culture and the rise of a new humanism

Florence, Italy Where the Renaissance begins…

Why was Florence important in the 14 th century? Florentine “representative” government –Arti, senior guilds Center of wool trade Banking, banking families –Stable monetary system –For a century, the Medici family is a patron of the arts, supporting such luminaries as Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo Revolutionary Florentine art –Renaissance

The Medici Era: Cosimo de’ Medici ( ) Collected ancient manuscripts Patron of arts to atone for usury Fostered study of Greek language, philosophy Founded a new Platonic Academy –Search for truth and beauty Sponsored the priest Marsilio Ficino, who fused Platonism and Christianity –Platonic Love, Christian Platonism Known as Pater Patriae –Patron of the arts –Grandson Lorenzo funded rebuilding University of Pisa, from which Greek texts were exported to the rest of Europe

Medieval Art 10 th Century Russian Icon (left) and 14 th Century Florentine Passion (right)

Medieval Art in the International Style Note the bright colors, crowded composition, and rounded figures No single-point perspective

Masaccio’s Holy Trinity

1. a concern with, and technical ability to handle, space and volume in a believable way 2. studious approach to model art from that of ancient Rome 3. departure from more ethereal mode of medieval otherworldliness to a greater concern for human realism This is achieved through: 1. clarity of line 2. mathematically precise perspective 3. close observation of real people 4. concern for psychological states 5. uncluttered arrangements— artist doesn’t fill up all available space

Florence Cathedral combines Gothic buttressing with Roman dome

Brunelleschi’s Foundling Hospital, How is this different from Gothic style?

Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel; note the similarities to Rome’s domed pantheon Ancient Rome’s Pantheon Brunelleschi’s Renaissance Pazzi Chapel

Botticelli’s Springtime; heavily infused with pagan symbolism

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus; note the idealism of the central figure

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus; modeled on Greek and Roman statues

Leonardo da Vinci The first “Renaissance Man” 1.He was a master painter 2.He was a keen scientist, mastering fields of geology, botany, and anatomy 3.He was a master engineer, designing airplanes and helicopters 4.He was a master mathematician

Leonardo’s Notebooks From left to right: An underwater breathing machine; detailed studies of human anatomy; an artificial wing for human flight (just strap it on and jump off a cliff! [don’t try this at home])

Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” note the mathematical precision

Popes and Patronage Vatican as center of wealth, stability Pope Sixtus IV –Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Perugino Pope Julius II –Beginnings of High Renaissance (1503) –“il papa terribile” –Raphael, Michelangelo

Raphael, Pope Julius II’s favorite artist “Madonna of the Meadow” Pyramidal configuration Rationally ordered Modeling of human forms Human quality of the divine Quite a departure from medieval representations of Jesus

Late Medieval Virgin and Child in a more International Style

Michelangelo Neo-Platonist sculptor

Moses Michelangelesque Masculine anatomy, musculature Physical bulk, linear grace, emotionality

The Sistine Chapel “Michelangelo, Sculptor” Architectural and thematic motifs Interpretation Neo-Platonism Old Testament and pagan prophets Complex tree symbolism Human wisdom + God’s revelation