Renaissance architecture

Renaissance architecture

Module 8

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Timeline

The High Renaissance 1495-1520

The Late Renaissance1520-1600

Early Renaissance1400-1495

Characteristics

• Renaissance architecture was considered the return to Italy's roots.
• An important source of inspiration for Renaissance architects was a book On Architecture by the Roman architect Vitruvius (c. 90 - c. 20 BCE)
• Besides studying the past, architects also studied what are they colleagues doing elsewhere. (Cartwright, 2020)

• Renaissance architecture originated in Italy.
• The main features are the use of the classical orders and mathematically precise ratios of height and width combined with a desire for symmetry, proportion, and harmony.
• Architects studied Roman ruins as well as Byzantine and Romanesque architecture.

Mathematical Science

Aspiration for symmetry was shown through all forms of art. Linear perspective, symmetrical floor plans, geometry, universal ratios, and realism were all characteristics of Renaissance art. (SAIT, 2020) Art had a great influence on architecture. Michelangelo's (1475-1564 CE) bold and decorative reimagining of classical figures in art influenced architects to try new ideas in mixing up classical elements and making them more decorative. Another famous artist that influenced architects was Raphael (1483-1520 CE). (Cartwright, 2020)

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446 CE)

Filippo Brunelleschi's buildings treatises and biographies spread the ideas across Italy and Europe, and that's why he is considered the father of Renaissance architecture. His focus was on classical proportions, simple geometry, and harmony. (Cartwright, 2020) One of his most famous achievements is the dome of the Florence Cathedral. It was the first octagonal dome constructed without wooden structure support, and it is often compared with Pantheon. (SAIT, 2020)

Figure 1: Dome of Florence's Cathedral (Birasuegi, 2020)

Figure 2: The Tempietto of San Pietro, Montorio, Rome (Quinok, 2020)

Other Architects and Buildings

• Donato Bramante (c. 1444-1514 CE), was another famous renaissance architect and he was considered the founder of High Renaissance architecture.
• The Tempietto of San Pietro in Rome was designed by Bramante and completed c. 1510, it was the first Renaissance structure to use the complete Doric order from antiquity.
• Churches were still a very important part of society and built across Europe, but public and domestic buildings also carried main Renaissance characteristics. (Cartwright, 2020)

Renaissance in Prague

A couple of years ago I had a chance to visit Prague, Chech Republic, 'city of a hundred spires'. I remember that I was fascinated with the town's architecture and amazed at how many churches it has. Among many other buildings, I can single out The House at the Minute building, probably because of the weird name, located at the Old Town Square, Prague. I didn't know back then that it was a Renaissance building, but after this lesson, I went through my photos, did some research, and realized that it is. The building was also a childhood home of Franz Kafka.

Figure 3: The House at the Minute, (n.d.)

References

Cartwright, M. (2020, November 23). Renaissance architecture. https://www.ancient.eu/Renaissance_Architecture/ Birasuegi. (2020 , August 31). Dome of Florence Cathedral by Brunelleschi. [Online image]. https://www.ancient.eu/image/12641/dome-of-florence-cathedral-by-brunelleschi/ Quinok. (2020, November 10). Tempietto of San Pietro, Rome. [Online image]. https://www.ancient.eu/image/13090/tempietto-of-san-pietro-rome/ SAIT. (2020). Module 8: Renaissance Architecture. ARCH 1010: History of architecture. D2l/Brightspace. https://learn.sait.ca/d2l/le/content/397770/viewContent/9580567/View [The House at the Minute]. [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.prague-stay.com/lifestyle/review/36-prague-architecture/39-renaissance/158-the-house-at-the-minute