1. -Key Concepts and connections-
Renaissance Art
-Key Concepts and connections-

2. Influence of European Economic Recovery
Dramatic recovery of European commerce
The significance of new technologies (printing, metallurgy, paint)
The rise of banking empires (Italy in 15th c., Germany in 16th)

3. Renaissance Economics
Profit-making became more important than Church doctrine
To overcome guilt, profit-makers indulge in philanthropy
High profits led to economic diversification

4. Why Italy?
Revival of Commerce and Town Building was more intense in Italy
Feudalism had less of a grip on Italy
Presence of antiquity was stronger in Italy than elsewhere in Europe
Civic Humanism creates a break with church domination of life

5. Influence of Humanism
Growing humanism and secularism in a Christian context
Focus on man’s free will
Rewards for living excellently came in this life
Portraits focus on the individual

6. Imitation of nature was a primary goal
Sandro Botticelli’s 1480 Birth of Venus
Influence of antiquity
Rediscovery of nudes
Imitation of nature was a primary goal
Pagan scenes and myths become popular subjects with no apologies to the Church

7. Secular Meets Religious
Wealthy aristocratic patrons often had the artists put them into religious scenes
El Greco’s Burial of Count Orgaz, 1586, includes a number of contemporary figures

8. Secular Art Aristocrats pay to have themselves painted and/or sculpted
Artists begin to rely on aristocratic rather than church patronage
Arnolfini Wedding portrait by Jan van Eyck, 1434

9. Medieval simplicity replaced by realism and complimentary forms based on
notions of harmony

10. And a new emphasis on emotion

11. The Renaissance begins with imitation,
but innovations ultimately surpass antique forms
Symmetry
Contrapposto

12. Foreshortening
Perspective

13. Anatomical studies