Michelangelo

Leeann ReamAP European History

Period 1Ash

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance blossomed into Europe, specifically

Florence, Italy, at the very close of the thirteenth century. There were two flavors: the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance.

The Italian Renaissance was characterized by humanism (a movement toward increasing intellect through study of the classics), individualism (interest in oneself and one’s own ideas), secularism (a shift in interest from the spiritual world to a more physical one), and scientific naturalism (study of the natural world). At the time, Italy was a collection of city-states that had grown wealthy and politically powerful overtime through trade. Aristocratic families supported the arts and oftentimes had works commissioned.

Renaissance art in Italy focused on realism and perspective. Individuals were depicted, and artists focused heavily on anatomy. Many artists thrived during this period. One of the most notable was Michelangelo.

Michelangelo Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor,

painter, architect, poet, and engineer. His art revolutionized the Western world during the Renaissance. He was known as the greatest artist, and many of his works such as The Creation of Adam and the Sistine chapel ceiling are still famous today.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564)

DavidOne of Michelangelo’s most renowned

works, this seventeen-foot male nude in marble was heavily influenced by the Renaissance ‘isms’. While David, the biblical character, is obviously strongly connected to The Church, the work came to hold political significance as he was seen as a protector of civil liberties. This ties into individualism (for personal reasons) and humanism (for political reasons). Almost ironically, David represents secularism as well. A towering model of a nude male hardly paralleled Church ideals at the time. Michelangelo’s stunning portrayal of human anatomy is a gift to the boom in scientific naturalism of the period.

David 1501-1504

David“…nor has there ever been seen a pose so

easy, or any grace to equal that in this work, or feet, hands and head so well in

accord, one member with another, in harmony, design, and excellence of

artistry.” –Vasari on Michelangelo’s David

While other prominent artists of the time depicted a victorious David looming over the defeated Goliath, Michelangelo took a different approach. With an almost invisible sling (emphasizing his use of brain over bran), David is portrayed at the moment he decides to challenge his historical foe. The Renaissance was a time of change, and the people of the time knew it. They took it upon themselves to decide that they, as individuals, would strike out in search of a brighter future and challenge the ideals held by individuals for centuries.

David, brow furrowed, body tensed, preparing for battle

BibliographyWikipediaSmarthistoryRenaissance notes

God and Adam’s outstretched hands from Michelangelo’s infamous The Creation of Adam