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The Renaissance During
the Renaissance
the Artist was elevated in social standing and
his art was looked upon
not as simple crafts,
but as divinely inspired
creations. The spirit of
an era awoke,
revitalized with
knowledge and
creativity. Paintings of
the time period are
intensely passionate
with dramatic use of
light. Florence was the
epicenter of the
Renaissance
movement. Historian
Jacob Burckhardt
describes the city
thusly, "Florence, the
great market of fame,
was in this point, as we
have said, in
advance of other cities.
'Sharp eyes and bad
tongues' is the
description given of the
inhabitants. An
easygoing contempt of
everything and everybody
was probably the
prevailing tone of
society."
The techniques used by painters of the High Renaissance were quite
innovative in themselves. Their use of incandescent colors created with
newly developed oil mediums gave a unique vividness to their paintings.
Michelangelo
and
Leonardo Da Vinci
would not hesitate to
directly sketch a reeking, decomposing human cadaver for the purpose of painting the human
body realistically.
Until the Middle Ages men regarded themselves as following the Good Shepherd, and art consequently did not recognize the individual in particular. In the structure and position of the figures, as in their expression, a general and uniform type of beauty prevailed. The early Renaissance marks the victory of individualism and the uncompromising prominence of he individual. An abundance of sharply outlined characters suddenly appears, robust, clear-cut personalities; lawless nature belonging just as much in the gallery of criminals as in that of great men. Character, individuality, power and energy are the passwords of the Renaissance age. This new humanity, all these rugged and manly figures which the age had created, had also to appear in painting. In contrast to the former preference for beauty of an angelic and tender type, the problem now was to depict energetic and powerful beings; and to replace shy and feminine, though bearded, men in the pictures of the older masters by angular, harsh determined and daring types. The figures which has formerly hovered like spirits above the earth had now to stand firmly upon their own feet and become part of their earthly home. -- Richard Muther, The History of Painting, Henry and Co., London, 1896 |
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Key Descriptive Words and Phrases associated with The Renaissance Era - rebirth, rediscovery of the classical world, publication of Della Pittura, a book about the laws of mathematical perspective for artists, spiritually significant, Age of Discovery, curiosity about the natural world, idealized biblical themes, realistic use of colours and light, Old Testament stories, pre-Constantinian period, ethereal and foggy backgrounds , Gospel parables, romanticized landscapes, Christian symbolism. Require more facts and information about The High Renaissance? Poke around every nook and cranny of the known universe for information this subject. Search Here © HistoryofPainters.com If you like this page and wish to share it, you are welcome to link to it, with our thanks. If you feel you have worthwhile information you would like to contribute we would love to hear from you. We collect essential biographical information and artist quotes from folks all over the globe and appreciate your participation. When submitting please, if possible, site the source and provide English translation. Email to millardmulch@gmail.com |
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