Early Renaissance (Italy)

WHAT IS THE RENAISSANCE?

What's a French word doing describing something that happened basically in Italy? That's right, it was a French writer, historian Jules Michelet, who name the REnaissance - well after the fact. In the 1800s, everyone decided that learning had ended at the fall of the Roman Empire and only began again after the so-called Dark Ages, around 1200. They called the new period the Renaissance, meaning rebirth. (Instant Art History, Robinson)

KEY IDEAS

This time period is in between Medieval and High Renaissance.
Artists receive more recognition and become important historical figure and names are recorded.
Focused on 3 ideals: humanism, secularism, and individualism
Greater focus on the natural world rather than the hereafter - Giotto launched the Italian Renaissance by painting people who appeared 3 dimensional rather than flas
New intellectual ideals gained focus, especially human experience, manners, and politics (known as the "humane letters" = humanism)
The Pisani family rejuvenates classical artistic styles.

HISTORY

Humanism (starts as a literary movement in that writers concerned themselves with secular issues). In Northern Europe, Humanism "pagan" Humanism is rejected in favor of a blend of religion and classical literature.
Petrarch: Considered the first "modern" writer, he wrote sonnets in Italian, other works in Latin.
Isabelle d'Este (1474-1539) was married to Giovanni Gonzaga, she was an outstanding diplomat and patron of learning. She turned Mantua into the center of learning and thought. Also, an important female patron of the arts.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FLORENTINE PAINTING

Large scale panels that stand on their own (freeing from the wall)
Usually fresco or the use of tempera
Cimabue (artist) is influenced by the Byzantine works referred to as maniera greca.
Giotto (artist) moved away from tradition and towards reality that anchored figures to ground lines. Figures are often depicted.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SIENESE PAINTING

More decorative style and more reminiscent of N. European art.
Figures are thinner, elegant, and courtly.
Drapery is less defined, and is more flowing like ripples.
Imitates marble patterning on thrones or pavements
Figures are more in proportion to each other vs. Hierarchal ordering.
Italian altarpieces reflect Gothic Cathedrals.

Artworks:

67. Pazzi Chapel, Filipo Brunellschi * Brancacci Chapel – Masaccio’s Holy Trinity/Tribute Money

69. David, Donatello and St. Mark

70. Palazzo Rucellai, Leon Battista Alberti

71. Madonna and Child with Two Angels, Fra Filippo Lippi

72. Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli

* Christ Delivering the Keys to the Kingdom, Perugino