15th c. Renaissance

Too much knowing is misery. - Lorenzo de Medici

Key Ideas

Characteristics of Architecture

• Revitalization of classical ideals in literature, history, and philosophy.
• Renaissance courts influenced by humanism (Secular over the religious)
• Humanism is hugely popular and more and more people are attracted to the ideals. It fostered the belief in individual potential
• Rise in realistic, 3D paintings
• Human antatomy: increase in nude sculptures
• Architecture emphasizes light spaces that are balanced and symmetrical.
• Political and economic changes that contributed to the rise of a new class of wealthy patrons (Medici Family) who fostered art and learning on a lavish scale.

Cambio, Dome of the Florence Cathedral

1. Renaissance architecture depends on order, clarity, and light.
2. Wide window spaces, limited stained glass, vivid wall paintings in most cases.
3. Stressed mathematical perfection and geometric designs
4. Ideal proportions = humanistic ideals = spatial harmony

Characteristics of Painting & Sculpture

• Painting: The use of linear perspective is most important (attributed to Brunelleschi)
• Painting: The use of linear perspective to intentionally fool the eye = tromp l'oeil
• Sculpture: Relief carvings, with their flat planes, were deeply incised to crete a sense of depth.
• Early 15th c. religious images still dominated but by the end of the 15th c. mythological subjects and portraiture proliferated
• Interest in humanism and the rebirth of Greco-Roman classics also spurred an interest in authentic Greek and Roman sculptures.
• Greater willingness to paint and sculpt the nude, particularly the male nude. 
• Usually shows the intense physical interaction of form.

Lorenzo de'Medici

The Medici

• The most powerful and famous dynasty of bankers who used their incredible wealth to both govern city-states and be patrons of the arts. 
• Founded in Florence. Wealth first started by Giovanni de'Medici.
• Extra information on just how powerful the Medici Family really is

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Additional Resources

• YouTube video: Masaccio's Holy Trinity by SmartHistory
• YouTube video: Donatello's David by SmartHistory
• Watch Malcolm Gladwell's TED Talk about the historical and scientific explanations of the biblical story of David and Goliath.
• YouTube video: Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise by Professor Mencher at Ohlone College
• YouTube video: Linear Perspective by Brunelleschi
• Website -  Holy Trinity by Masaccio also presented by SmartHistory. Watch the video at the bottom
• SmartHistory:  Florentine Renaissance

Vocabulary

Artwork List

bottega
chapter House
orthagonal
pilaster
Quattrocento
trompe l'oeil

Gates of Paradise
St. Mark
Holy Trinity
David
Madonna & Child with 2 Angels
Pazzi Chapel
Birth of Venus
Dead Christ

Notecard Images