ITALY
Birthplace of the Renaissance
Introduction
Describe ways that people show their own creativity. Why is creativity so important?
Pre-Renaissance
The Hundred Years War 1337-1453 War between England and
France for the throne of France
Black Plague 1300s Kills 25 million Europeans
Results (3 D’s) Desire to celebrate life and
humanity Doubts about the Church Desire for new ways of
expression
Renaissance (1300-1600 C.E.)
“Rebirth”
Revival of art & learning
Return to classical heritage of Greece & Rome
Starts in northern Italy & spreads to Europe
Why Italy?
City-States grow urban due to Crusade trade
Merchant class rises to dominate politics, art, & business Medici Family 15th Century
in Florence
Classical Heritage From Roman Empire Refugees from Byzantine Empire
Classical & Worldly Values
Individualism: Fate not such a factor – celebrate uniqueness
Humanism: Human potential & achievement
Secularism: Worldly vs. Spiritual
Patronage: Financial Support Renaissance Man (Ex: The Courtier by
Castiglione) Renaissance Woman (Ex: Isabella D’Este)
Renaissance Art
Realism vs. Spiritualism
Perspective: 3D on a flat
Examples Michelangelo: Realistic human body Donatello: Natural postures and expressions
revealing personality Leonardo Da Vinci: “Renaissance Man” (painter,
sculptor, inventor, scientist) Raphael Sanzio: Use of perspective
Marriage of the Virgin - Raphael
An exercise in perspective
Where is the vanishing point?
Where does the horizon begin?
What is the difference between the people in the front versus back?
Da Vinci
Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo
Maestro vs. Michelangelo Video Clip 1
Create a Venn Diagram comparing Leonardo Da Vinci & Michelangelo
Clip 2 Make a list of Leonardo Da Vinci’s
ideas/inventions and the dates they actually materialized
Jacopa di CioneMadonna and Child in Glory Most important figures?
How can you tell?
Halo
Hieratic scale
Guiliano BugiardiniMadonna and Child with St. John
Landscape Oil paint
Giovanni Agostino da LodiAdoration of the Shepherds
Annibale Carracci & the Bean Eater Non-religious art using commoners