Hallmarks of the Renaissance

The Isms

What are the characteristics of the Renaissance?

The isms:

humanism (and classicism)

individualism
secularism scientific naturalism

Humanism

intellectual movement based on study of the classics (classicism)

humanities (liberal arts): grammar, rhetoric, poetry, ethics, history

renewed interest in man and new view of humankind

believed in human potential and glorified mans dignity man depicted in art as the center of the world

civic humanism: application of humanist education to civil service

vs. Middle Ages learning confined largely to Christian monasteries; subordination of humans to God; human body should be covered up, not glorified (Christian worldview)

Humanism (Classicism)
Bramante, Tempietto, San Pietro in Montorio, Rome, 1508

Humanism
Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man:
O supreme generosity of God the Father, O highest and most marvelous felicity of man! To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills.

Humanism (Classicism)
Michelangelo, David, 1504 (marble statue)

Individualism

new emphasis on individual achievement

belief that the individual ought to be free to think, speak, and act for himself
vs. Middle Ages cooperation within small communities; individual achievement subordinate to religious faith/piety (Christian worldview)

Individualism
Titian, Portrait of Emperor Charles V at Muhlberg, 1548 (oil on canvas)

Renaissance portraiture

Individualism
Titian, Portrait of Empress Isabel of Portugal, 1548 (oil on canvas)

Renaissance portraiture

Individualism

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1498 (fresco)

each of the 12 apostles has a different, individual expression

Secularism

increasing concern with the material rather than spiritual world material values: money/wealth, material goods, leisure time/activities
vs. Middle Ages focus on the spiritual world/Kingdom of Heaven (Christian worldview)

Secularism

Pieter Bruegel, Peasant Dance, 1568 (oak on panel)

Secularism
Boccaccio (1313-1375), The Decameron:
Niccols son, Filippo, being a young man and a bachelor, was wont sometimes to bring thither a woman for his pleasure, and after keeping her there for a few days to escort her thence again. Now on one of these occasions it befell that he brought thither one Niccolosa, whom a vile fellow, named Mangione, kept in a house at Camaldoli as a common prostitute. And a fine piece of flesh she was, and wore fine clothes, and, for one of her sort, knew how to comport herself becomingly and talk agreeably.

Secularism
Hans Holbein, The Ambassadors, 1533 (oil on wood)

Scientific Naturalism

close observation and study of the natural world

geometry / proportions / space / laws of perspective anatomy

realistic portrayal of natural world

vs. Middle Ages less realistic and more stylized; focus is on representation of God rather than representation of God (Christian worldview)

Scientific Naturalism

Raphael, School of Athens, 1510 (fresco)

laws of perspective

Scientific Naturalism

Leonardo da Vinci, Study of a womans hands, date unknown (drawing)

Leonardo da Vinci, Larynx and legs, 1510 (drawing)

Scientific Naturalism
Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, 1492 (pen and ink)

study of ideal proportions

Scientific Naturalism
Fra Angelico, The Annunciation, 1432 (tempera on wood)