THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE. Chapter 19 AP Art History

Transcription

1 THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Chapter 19 AP Art History

2 INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to: Explore the development and use of linear perspective in 15 th Century Florentine painting. Examine how sculptors were instrumental in the early development of the Italian Renaissance by increasing the lifelike qualities of human figures and drawing inspiration from ancient Roman sculpture. Assess the role of wealthy merchants and condottieri in driving the development of Renaissance art and architecture. Consider how the new focus on artistic competition and individual achievement created a climate for innovative and ambitious works. Evaluate the importance of the Classical past to the development of early Renaissance architecture.

3 BATTLE OF SAN ROMANO BY PAOLO UCCELLO

4 HUMANISM AND THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Where were the culture centers in Italy at the end of the Middle Ages? Florence, Milan, Venice, and the duchies of Mantua, Ferrara, and Urbino! Art patronage in northern Italy was promoted by: Great wealth the Medici family in Florence the Montefeltro family in Urbino the Gonzaga family in Mantua the Visconti and Sforza families in Milan The Este family in Ferrara Growing individualism Artists had truly developed in the modern sense In their own eyes In the eyes of patrons Methods and working conditions remained unchanged Ar tists contracted freely with Wealthy townspeople Nobles Civic bodies Religious bodies Ambition and self-confidence reflect their economic and social freedom.

5 FLORENCE The 15 th century saw the rise of the Medici family A banking family that rose from middle class to virtually rule Florence. Florence was an exceedingly competitive city This competition fostered mercantile success & civic price Competition in the arts also increased as a result Florence becomes the cradle of the Italian Renaissance T he Medici Family Sponsored philosophers and scholars studying the Classics Favored Neoplatonism (the study of Plato) which distinguished between the spiritual (ideal or Idea) and the physical (matter) Power and influence spread from this family throughout Italy Who patroned the artists of this period? The Church and the state (city governments and gilds) Private individuals

6 SKYLINE OF FLORENCE TODAY

7 WHAT IS THE PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA? Meeting place of the governing body (Signoria) of Florence A massive fortified building with a 300 bell tower. The building faces a large square (piazza) The piazza became the true civic center of Florence. Town houses often had seats along the walls to provide public seating 1376 = the loggia was built to provide covered spaces for ceremonies/speeches The loggia changes to a public sculpture gallery and a guard station later in Florentine history. Known today as the Loggia of the Lancers Constructed by Cione and Talenti A copy of Michelangelo s David stand in front of the Palazzo facing the loggia This was where the original David once stood

8 PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

9 LOGGIA OF THE LANCERS

10 DAVID REPLICA PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

11 FLORENTINE ARCHITECTURE What is the defining architectural achievement of the 15 th Century in Florence? The Florence Cathedral (Duomo) Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) This is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. Construction began in the 13 th century continuing intermittently in the 14 th century. Originally designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and included 3 buildings: The baptistery The cathedral The Campanile (designed/completed by Giotto di Bondone)

12 THE BAPTISTERY DOORS 1330 = Andrea Pisano was awarded the commission for a pair of gilded bronze doors (the South Doors of the Baptistery) This Pisano is NOT related to Nicola and Giovanni Pisano How are the south doors read? Bronze doors were completed within 6 years Display 20 scenes from the life of San Giovanni (St. John the Baptist) Set above 8 personifications of the Virtues Figures in the quatrefoils Monumental and classicizing style Inspired by Giotto (a contemporary Florentine painter) Reveal soft curves of northern Gothic forms Individual scenes are elegantly natural Figures placement and modeling create a remarkable illusion of 3-D The bronze vine scrolls (containing flowers, fruits, and birds) on the lintels and jambs were added in the 15 th century

13 THE EAST BAPTISTERY DOORS (GATES OF PARADISE) The Baptistery Doors (Gates of Paradise) 1401: competition for the rights to design the East doors of the Baptistery sponsored by the wool merchants gild This commission is considered a prestigious commission: these doors FACE the cathedral. The competition subject: the Sacrifice of Isaac Who wins? Two great competitors: Lorenzo Ghiberti & Filippo Brunelleschi Ghiberti WINS! Brunelleschi leaves Florence ANGRY!

14 SACRIFICE OF ISAAC COMPETITION PANELS Filippo Brunelleschi Lorenzo Ghiberti

15 FILIPPO BRUNELLESCHI Who is Brunelleschi? He will complete the Florence Cathedral dome no one had been able to do this! His father had been involved in planning he cathedral dome in He originally trained as a goldsmith studying in Rome. How is the dome revolutionary? The dome has a double shell of masonry (138 feet across) The supports include 8 large ribs and 16 lighter ribs Each course of the dome supports the next one: reinforcing the interlocking pattern. Arches link the internal and external dome structures. No external supports were required when this dome was completed.

16 The Duomo Drawing of the Duomo

17 Interior view of Santo Spirito Plan of Santo Spirito Early plan (L) and as constructed (R)

18 Façade of the Pazzi Chapel, Santa Croce, Florence, Italy, c Plan of the Pazzi Chapel, Santa Croce, Florence, Italy

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