Pawan Parmar
AP Euro
Sept.18,2013
With the collapse of the feudal system it led to a “re-birth” of society. This “re-birth” is called the Renaissance.The Renaissance is used to label the period of time during the 14th to the 17th century where a renewed interest in classical art and philosophy coupled with Humanist philosophy brought about a cultural rebirth.One area that was particularly prevalent was the visual arts. Most of the renaissance was centered in Italy, but eventually spread to the rest of Europe. The influence of humanism vastly had an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created by “returning to the sources”, focusing on the individual human potential, and being Secular rather than divine/supernatural.
Returning to the sources was one example how humanism changed the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created. “Returning to the Sources” refers to the renewed study of Greek and Latin classics and attempting to reconcile the disciplines of the Christian faith during the Renaissance era. Artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael all would create art that were of ancient Greek or Roman style . One famous work that returned to the sources was The David by Michelangelo. David is a masterpiece sculpture created between 1501 and 1504. It stands at 17.0 ft, and is a marble statue of a standing nude male. The statue represents the Biblical hero David; However, this visual art is different from the feudal era or earlier attempts. Michelangelo's David is a Renaissance interpretation of a common ancient Greek theme called the contrapposto pose. His body is in a relaxed pose,and he carries his sling that he has placed over his left shoulder. It is different from the traditional feudal era or earlier attempts, because the pose had always been represented as david standing victorious over the head of Goliath and him being much smaller than Goliath. Michelangelo’s David is very tall, and has a perfect body. David has become one of the most recognized works of Renaissance sculpture, becoming a symbol of both strength and youthful human beauty.
Focusing on the individual human potential also had an impact on the on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created. The philosophy of human potential was that man can do whatever he puts his mind to and man is the measure of all things. A piece of visual art that comes to mind that was focused on human potential is the School of Athens by Raphael. The picture has long been seen as "Rapael's masterpiece and the perfect embodiment of the classical spirit of the High Renaissance." School of Athens was the second fresco completed in the room and depicts Raphael”s interpretation of philosophy as a branch of knowledge. Showing a gathering of Greek philosophers engaged in various activities. It includes 21 distinct figures set against a backdrop of a school. They represent all significant Greek philosophers. Identities of some of the philosophers in the picture, are Plato or Aristotle who stand in the center.The other figures representing other significant Greek philosophers are not as clearly identifiable. There are two sculptures in the background. The one on the left is the god Apollo, god of light, archery and music, holding a lyre. The sculpture on the right is Athena, goddess of wisdom, in her Roman guise as Minerva.
The last example of influence of humanism vastly having an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created was being Secular rather than divine/supernatural. Many of the visual arts in the medieval times were very often about divine thoughts, and biblical figures were shown god-like and much bigger. By the Renaissance this changed, and one piece of art that was The Virgin of the Rocks (sometimes the Madonna of the Rocks) is the name used for two paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. These paintings are the same subject, and have a composition which is identical except for several significant details. There are four figures, the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, the infant John the Baptist and an angel. The painting is set against a background of rocks, and a distant landscape of mountains and water. This painting is unique because it contrasts the feudal era paintings of Biblical figures. One way it does this is because Jesus or Mary are not bigger or have a halo. Mary is seen as a loving mother in this painting and Jesus just as a baby.
Therefore, The influence of humanism indeed had an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created by “returning to the sources”, focusing on the individual human potential, and being Secular rather than divine/supernatural. With the celebration of humans rather than the church, it has changed art forever. Without it, there still be painting in the style of the feudalism era for a much longer time. If it were not for humanism, then some of the greatest works of arts such as the mona lisa, School of Athens, David, Birth of Venus, and many more would not have been created. All of these works have inspired millions and still inspires artists till this day. All in all these pieces of art have changed this world.
AP Euro
Sept.18,2013
With the collapse of the feudal system it led to a “re-birth” of society. This “re-birth” is called the Renaissance.The Renaissance is used to label the period of time during the 14th to the 17th century where a renewed interest in classical art and philosophy coupled with Humanist philosophy brought about a cultural rebirth.One area that was particularly prevalent was the visual arts. Most of the renaissance was centered in Italy, but eventually spread to the rest of Europe. The influence of humanism vastly had an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created by “returning to the sources”, focusing on the individual human potential, and being Secular rather than divine/supernatural.
Returning to the sources was one example how humanism changed the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created. “Returning to the Sources” refers to the renewed study of Greek and Latin classics and attempting to reconcile the disciplines of the Christian faith during the Renaissance era. Artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael all would create art that were of ancient Greek or Roman style . One famous work that returned to the sources was The David by Michelangelo. David is a masterpiece sculpture created between 1501 and 1504. It stands at 17.0 ft, and is a marble statue of a standing nude male. The statue represents the Biblical hero David; However, this visual art is different from the feudal era or earlier attempts. Michelangelo's David is a Renaissance interpretation of a common ancient Greek theme called the contrapposto pose. His body is in a relaxed pose,and he carries his sling that he has placed over his left shoulder. It is different from the traditional feudal era or earlier attempts, because the pose had always been represented as david standing victorious over the head of Goliath and him being much smaller than Goliath. Michelangelo’s David is very tall, and has a perfect body. David has become one of the most recognized works of Renaissance sculpture, becoming a symbol of both strength and youthful human beauty.
Focusing on the individual human potential also had an impact on the on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created. The philosophy of human potential was that man can do whatever he puts his mind to and man is the measure of all things. A piece of visual art that comes to mind that was focused on human potential is the School of Athens by Raphael. The picture has long been seen as "Rapael's masterpiece and the perfect embodiment of the classical spirit of the High Renaissance." School of Athens was the second fresco completed in the room and depicts Raphael”s interpretation of philosophy as a branch of knowledge. Showing a gathering of Greek philosophers engaged in various activities. It includes 21 distinct figures set against a backdrop of a school. They represent all significant Greek philosophers. Identities of some of the philosophers in the picture, are Plato or Aristotle who stand in the center.The other figures representing other significant Greek philosophers are not as clearly identifiable. There are two sculptures in the background. The one on the left is the god Apollo, god of light, archery and music, holding a lyre. The sculpture on the right is Athena, goddess of wisdom, in her Roman guise as Minerva.
The last example of influence of humanism vastly having an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created was being Secular rather than divine/supernatural. Many of the visual arts in the medieval times were very often about divine thoughts, and biblical figures were shown god-like and much bigger. By the Renaissance this changed, and one piece of art that was The Virgin of the Rocks (sometimes the Madonna of the Rocks) is the name used for two paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. These paintings are the same subject, and have a composition which is identical except for several significant details. There are four figures, the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, the infant John the Baptist and an angel. The painting is set against a background of rocks, and a distant landscape of mountains and water. This painting is unique because it contrasts the feudal era paintings of Biblical figures. One way it does this is because Jesus or Mary are not bigger or have a halo. Mary is seen as a loving mother in this painting and Jesus just as a baby.
Therefore, The influence of humanism indeed had an impact on the way the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance were created by “returning to the sources”, focusing on the individual human potential, and being Secular rather than divine/supernatural. With the celebration of humans rather than the church, it has changed art forever. Without it, there still be painting in the style of the feudalism era for a much longer time. If it were not for humanism, then some of the greatest works of arts such as the mona lisa, School of Athens, David, Birth of Venus, and many more would not have been created. All of these works have inspired millions and still inspires artists till this day. All in all these pieces of art have changed this world.