The Renaissance Canvas
Hilaria Benavidez (8)
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. These are Some of the most popular artists from the most popular era of art: The Renaissance. You might recognize these names, by themselves alone or even in media references. Allow me to share this beautiful history with you.
What is Renaissance art, really?
The Renaissance is a time period in fourteenth to sixteenth century Europe where people brought back ancient Greek and Rome humanities back to education and culture with a tasteful mix of the established Roman and Orthodox Catholic church. Which is why when you think of Renaissance arts you’d imagine works like The Birth of Venus, The Last Supper, or The Creation of Adam.
Bringing back the timeline, the renaissance flourished after the dark ages.
Around the dark ages you would see well, medieval art and byzantine art. Medieval art influenced byzantine art which influenced renaissance art as it adapted into its own thing. I know, the history of art can be a total whiplash. But to help us understand where renaissance art really started, we can see the evolution of this art through “ The Father of Renaissance art”, Giotto di Bondone.
Giotto di Bondone
Giotto was born in the mid 14th century, and began as any artist would at that time, an apprentice. He soon became a big hit, introducing more realistic, three dimensional, and humanistic works into the artistic equation. Throughout his life he traveled around Italy creating his own studios, working on big commissions like the arena chapel and even living with a royal family! His artwork may seem simple now, but his talent is truly mind-blowing, and even touching for his time
In sum you can really see the complexity of his pieces and why he’s called “ The Father of Renaissance” He brought revolutionary humanism, thought and perfection to art that was never seen before. ( On a personal note when I was researching his art I was absolutely taken aback by the maturity of his creations).
After Giotto’s reign, renaissance got the chance to blossom as itself ( With some of my favorite artists such as Sandro Botticelli and Carlo Crivelli in between) But nonetheless Renaissance didn’t make such a crucial character such as Bondone until the Legendary Michelangelo entered the room.
Michelangelo
It’s been about 138 years since the existence of Giotto de bondone, 1475 Michelangelo was born. When he was only 13 he became an apprentice. He studied for only about three years before he went on as his own artist. And about 8 years later finished his work “Pieta”.
A Sculpture of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ. The sculpture shows Mary holding Christ after his crucifixion, subtle but heavy emotion. Lifting him with her knees, supporting his back with her cusping right arm on his torso. And her left arm gesturing prayer, appearing solemn, serene yet her son laying limp in her grasp. Noble she seems as she’s in this situation. (Though to me–within its humanism, I see undertones of despair and even an apprehensive hope in her praying manner because in contempt there is acceptance, but in despair as well). Reminder this is only the beginning of his artistic pursuits all while this being one of his most famous creations. He goes on to create many breathtaking sculptures such as another hit of his: “David”.
But nonetheless, I would like to touch on his most popular piece, “The Creation of Adam” which can be found on the Sistine chapel ceiling. In this painting you can see Adam leaning back while his limp wrist and hands are effortlessly about to/ just did make contact with God’s hand, as God makes an effort to point and reach out. In this masterpiece there’s many symbolism’s and geometrical aspects to it that make it the beauty that it is. For example with the image of God you can see his mandorla is shaped as a brain and even a womb, this signals that not only is he giving Adam Intelligence, but life. Michelangelo would continue his life focusing on other art projects, sustaining art as his passion. Michelangelo is labeled one of the most popular artists if not in history.
Mannerism
As the late renaissance emerges, artists like Rosso Florentino, and Caravaggio, bring less saturation, more contrast and even intense emotion to art. This era is called Mannerism, bordering the end of late renaissance and early baroque. It brought just about mastered realism, and a revolutionary shift in lighting.
In this piece you can see Caravaggio’s insane work on value and delicate detail, broadly from the focused light source down to the wrinkles. In the image you can see Christ in some sorta dark hallway, with the light directly hitting him, as behind him the people who’ve arrested him are while receiving the light, it is much dimmer. The lighting as well highlights that he is perceived as holy.
As much as art has changed throughout the millennia getting progressively complex, meaning and careful thought has always remained.
Renaissance’s Influence Today
The Renaissance is a universally loved era and its legacy has been soaked in culture ever since. To renaissance fairs, the Ninja Turtles, and newer aesthetics like synthwave! So on my final remark, please remember these masterpieces aren’t just pretty pictures and it’s nice to dive deeper into the meanings and emotions of it every once and a while.