A Look Into the Renaissance’s Ideals and Values Through Art, Architecture, and Literature
The Renaissance era, like a breath of fresh air, rang in a time for change. The people of this era began to view themselves and the world around them in an entirely different way. Out went the thoughts of saints, heaven, and god and came in the view of self. Once only created within the confines of the church, now many talented composers, authors, artists, and architects began creating signed works that focused and expressed the emphasis on humanity.
What is it about art that gives it an important role in Europe’s history? Art is an ever evolving subject, both its theme and purpose. It is an artefact of the socio-cultural conditions of the time it was produced and an influential driving force to Europe’s existence and way of life. Oscar Wilde (1889) remarked, "life imitates art far more than art imitates life...the self-conscious aim of life is to find expression, and that art offers it certain beautiful forms through which it may realise that energy.” This statement cannot be more suiting for the history of Europe as it is often said that the best way to know the country’s history is by its art.
The Renaissance time period started in the late 14th century and it lasted all through the 16th century. It all started in the late Middle ages throughout Italy (http://fashionhistory.net) taking at least one-hundred years before it reached the Northern Alps. This was also the period where the word “European” was put in use and understood by other places, and the word “Renascrere” originated from the Italian word “Renascrere” and it meant to be re-born. The word Renascrere fitted perfectly to this age due to the fact that many had intellectual pursuits and creative energy was re-born (www.richeast.org). The Renaissance would be best known for its artistic aspect and famous polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo given the term “Renaissance men.” It was an effective cultural and development of perspective in painting movement spreading to the rest of Europe and the advancements in science. (www.richeast.org)
Emotional, expressive, detailed, incredible, and magnificent: these are just a few
words that help capture what is medieval art. The artists behind these pieces of artwork
helped to shape culture, as well as creating vivid visual depictions of Bible stories,
portraits, and landscapes. Some of the most famous pieces of artwork come from the
medieval period, especially the Renaissance. Artists were widely popular at this time, so
artwork was spreading everywhere and changing history. Imagine how different today’s
culture would be without famous paintings such as Michelangelo’s mural on the ceiling
of the Sistine chapel, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and the Last Supper.
Many people overlook the importance of the ancient arts. Artists, such as Myron or Reymerswaele, are often forgot about and people only remember the famous ones. Individuals with knowledge of the ancient arts know of the ‘hidden’ or the infamous artists. Any artistic connoisseur would be able to tell the differences between the Greek and Roman period and the Renaissance art; however, the style of art is similar in many ways.
Nusrat Kayser
March 18, 2014
Art History Essay
Topic 13
History plays a very important role in the development of art and architecture. Over time people, events, and religion, have contributed to the evolution of art.
The history of Art has continuously changed over time, and will continue to do so as long as humanity continues to evolve and time continues to go on. The author of Art History, Marilyn Stokstad, eases the reader into this mindset very early on. She explains that slight changes in the economy, climate, what is expected socially or cultural differences can shift the way Art is viewed and created forever. Early African Art and Gothic Art, both of which Stokstad clearly and concisely summarizes within two enthralling chapters, are both two unique genres, so different from one another that it seems nearly impossible to relate the two at a first glance. The way they structured architecture and artwork are vastly different, and are from incredibly different times yet somehow it is still incredibly to link the two together - whether it be through similar aspects of art or their subtle differences, these two styles are connected in more ways than one.
The renaissance or “rebirth” was a cultural awakening which spanned from the fourteenth to sixteenth century. A growing interest in humanist traits and classical ideas heavily influenced the art during the renaissance. A growing community of artists provided much needed competition for their profession. The renaissance introduced many different and modern ideas but also remained obedient to classical belief. The unique art of the renaissance spread throughout Europe. Northern European art differed tremendously from Italian art.
The American Dream of the Renaissance
The American Renaissance was the rebirth of culture and literature during the 1800’s. It was a time where people felt the need to depend on themselves rather than a higher figure. The Renaissance was similar to rationalist period because people wanted to perfect their moral goodness. People of this time wanted to improve their life by achieving upward mobility. Slaves who escaped and became free were an example of upward mobility during the Renaissance.
Rye Neck High School
Research Paper on the Political Structure of the Renaissance
Henri Wang
English Honors and Global History Honors
Mrs. Lanza and Mrs. Comerford
May 16, 2014
The Renaissance was a cultural movement and turning point in European history, originating in Italy and lasting from the 14th to the 17th century. Following the Middle Ages, the Renaissance gave rise to humanism, inducing human achievement rather than religion, breaking away from previous medieval scholasticism and reviving the once lost Greek and Roman interests. During the three centuries, the political structure of Europe took several different forms through its numerous political leaders. This organization of politics reflected the ideals and values of the time, as it broke away from the thought process of the past, such as the heavy influence of religion, and accepted newer ideas such as individualism, humanism, and secularism.