The Early Renaissance
This next showroom displays the art that started an era of religious and philosophical enlightenment known as the Early Renaissance. Much of the creativity before this time was often hindered by the church. Protestant churches caused a break from this control and made way for the reformation that not only opened the eyes of the people religiously, but gave artists a sense of individuality and free thought. One poet, Francis Petrarch, helped pave the way for this change. He said, “having been vainly tossed about from one interest to another, many direct themselves at last towards the single, true, certain, and everlasting good ” (Lawall 1902). This thought of people going on different paths to meet at one everlasting good made art unique. Instead of art conforming to one archetype, form or style, artists approached art from many different directions which in the end pointed to one inherent truth.
During the middle ages people felt that they had outgrown ancient Roman art. They adopted the use of Roman Iconography, but traded out what made the Roman art iconic for its time; the importance to portray the human body as it appears in nature. In contrast, during the Early Renaissance the ignorance that clouded their minds was taken away as they were able to look at religion and art at face value. As you will see, much of the architecture in these paintings pays tribute to ancient Roman architecture. As well for the first time since ancient Roman art the naturalistic depiction of human body became a key focus of Early Renaissance art. Religion was still a key factor in art pieces, but it had less of a focus.
Linear perspective became a prominent technique giving a fresh new take on the art works and the spaces that is occupies around them. With this new linear perspective in these art pieces the old hieratic style of medieval art dissipated. No longer was size the determining factor of how important an object was. In this period other creative methods would be used such as lighting, or specific positioning to show the representation of deity. Although the Early Renaissance art still attempts to create a large emphasis on deity, many of the artists try to express them differently. Like in Chretien de Troyes’ Holy Grail, we see a theme of Christ being expressed inward rather than outward. Art in this period shows the divine as being more of the ordinary than the extraordinary, which is comparative to older periods.
During the middle ages people felt that they had outgrown ancient Roman art. They adopted the use of Roman Iconography, but traded out what made the Roman art iconic for its time; the importance to portray the human body as it appears in nature. In contrast, during the Early Renaissance the ignorance that clouded their minds was taken away as they were able to look at religion and art at face value. As you will see, much of the architecture in these paintings pays tribute to ancient Roman architecture. As well for the first time since ancient Roman art the naturalistic depiction of human body became a key focus of Early Renaissance art. Religion was still a key factor in art pieces, but it had less of a focus.
Linear perspective became a prominent technique giving a fresh new take on the art works and the spaces that is occupies around them. With this new linear perspective in these art pieces the old hieratic style of medieval art dissipated. No longer was size the determining factor of how important an object was. In this period other creative methods would be used such as lighting, or specific positioning to show the representation of deity. Although the Early Renaissance art still attempts to create a large emphasis on deity, many of the artists try to express them differently. Like in Chretien de Troyes’ Holy Grail, we see a theme of Christ being expressed inward rather than outward. Art in this period shows the divine as being more of the ordinary than the extraordinary, which is comparative to older periods.
Adoration of the Magui
Author: Gentile da Fabriano Year: 1423 Medium: Tempera on panel Dimensions: 80 in x 111 in Location: Uffizi Gallery, Florence |
The Holy Trinity, with the Virgin and Saint John and donors
Author: Masaccio
Date: 1425 Medium: fresco Dimensions: 262 in × 124 in Location: Santa Maria Novella, in Florence. |
Flagellation of Christ
Author: Piero della Francesca Date: 1455-1460 Medium: oil and tempera on panel Dimensions: 22 in × 31 in Location: Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino |
Delivery of the Keys, or Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter
Author: Pietro Perugino
Date:1481-1482 Medium: fresco Dimensions: 129 in × 216 in Location: Sistine Chapel, Rome |