Italian Renaissance

Italian Renaissance Art

Introduction

The Italian Renaissance, spanning from 1400-1600 CE, is an art period is renowned for its iconic paintings, sculptures, architecture and decorative arts. Private patrons, including Popes, Holy Roman Emperors, kings, and dukes, sought to embellish their cities and residences with profound art. Renaissance art was characterized by the humanist philosophy, realism and naturalism. New techniques in art including perspective were used to create illusions of three-dimensional space.

Renaissance art conveyed a heightened sense of emotion and pyschological depth. Art was inspired by ancient Greece and Rome and artists incorprorated these elements into their art pieces. In this presentation, we will have an overview of Renaissance art with a focus on various artists of the period. However, for the purpose of brevity and depth, we will delve into the works and contributions of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci in the next presentation.

Key Concepts of Renaissance Art

Naturalism

Narrative

Classicism

Depicting subjects in a realistic and lifelike manner, empasizing accurate anatomical proportions, detailed facial expressions and convincing rendering of light and shadow.

Renaissance artists were influenced by classical Greek and Roman art and ideals, characterized by a return to classical forms, themes, and aesthetics.

Artists use of visual storytelling to convey complex narratives, often drawying from mythology, literature, and religious texts.

Perspective

Experimentation

Humanism

Linear perspective involves the use of converging lines and vanishing points to create the illusion of receding spaces and realistic spatial relationships.

Artists depicted human subjects with an emphasis on individuality, personality, and emotion.

Artists experimented with new techniques, materials, and artistic approaches. This included new painting techinques like sfumato.

Dome of Florence Cathedral

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David by Donatello

The bronze statue of David, by Donatello, was created between 1440 and 1460. It was commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici, for their courtyard in Florence.

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Madonna and Child with Two Angels

Madonna and Child with two Angels by Fra Filippo Lippi was a monk and highly skilled painter who worked primarily in Florence. The painting was created around 1460-1465 and depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, with two angels beside them.

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Portrait of a Man with a medal of Cosimo the Elder

The painting was created in 1475 by Sandro Botticelli, an Italian painter. The portrait is believed to depict a member of the Medici family, possibly Piero di Cosimo de'Medici, the son of Cosimo the Elder.

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Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian

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The Last Supper by Plautilla Nelli

Last Supper is a painting by female artist Plautilla Nellie. Nelli was born in Florence and entered the Domincan convent of Santa Caterina da Siena and became a nun. The painting Last Supper was completed in 1568.

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Review Questions

Click here for instructions on answering the review questions.

Question 1

Question 2

How do the artistic styles and methods employed by Renaissance artists such as Donatello, Fra Filippo Lippi, and Plautilla Nelli in their respective artworks, reflect the broader trends and innovations of Italian Renaissance art?

How did Plautilla Nelli's role as a nun and her environment within the convent influence her artistic style and subject matter in works such as the Last Supper?

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The Last Supper

The Last Supper was a popular subject in Renaissance art. The Last Supper, by Plautilla Nelli is the larest existing painting by a female artist of the Renaissance. It is approximately 7 feet tall by 20 feet wide. Nelli's painting demonstrates her technical proficiency as an artist. The figures are carefully rendered, capturing the emotion and humanism of each one. The composition is well balanced, showcasing her mastery of perspective and anatomy.

Detail of Plautilla Nelli's The Last Supper. Photo: of Rabatti & Domingie

Key Historical Events of Italy during the Renaissance:

1494 - 1498: The Italian Wars begin, involving conflicts between various Italian city-states and foreign powers, including France and Spain. 1517: The Protestant Reformation begins. 1527: The Sack of Rome by Imperial troops. 1543: Copernicus published his major work, "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres". 1559: The Council of Trent initiates the Counter-Reformation, a movement within the Catholic Church to address and reform the Catholic doctrine.

In the Portrait of a Man with a Medal of Cosimo the Elder Botticelli showcases several characteristics of Renaissance style: Realism: The portrait demonstrates a commitment to depicting the subject with a lifelike accuracy. The man's facial features, clothing, and the details of the medal are rendered with meticulous attention to detail. Individualism: Renaissance artists were interested in portraying the unique qualities and personality of their subjects. In this painting, the man's expression, posture, and gaze convey a sense of individual identity and character, capturing his presence and inner life. Depth and Perspective: Botticelli employs foreshortening and modeling to create a sense of depth and three dimensionality in the painting.

Plautilla Nelli, a female Renaissance artist

Sister Plautilla Nelli was 14 years old when she was placed at the convent of Santa Caterina di Cafaggio. Santa Caterina was managed by the Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola who encouraged the nuns to create religious art. Sister Plautilla taught herself how to paint by studying other Renaissance-style paintings. Sister Plautilla's talent drew the attention of the wealthy in Florence who began commissioning her religious artwork to hang in their homes. Sister Plautilla founded an all woman art workship within her convent to teach other nuns how to paint. Sister Plautilla created her 22 foot long painting The Last Supper in the 1560s and was the first recorded woman artist to create a painting of the subject of the last supper of Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion.

Donatello's David showcases the Renaissance focus on naturalism and human anatomy, as well as his mastery of bronze sculpture and the use of classical contrapposto pose. Fra Filippo Lippi's Madonna and Child with Two Angels demonstrates the Renaissance emphasis on emotional expression, perspective, and naturalism in painting, as well as his ability to infuse religious subjects with intimacy and warmth. Plautilla Nelli's Last Supper reflects Renaissance ideals through its portrayal of biblical narrative, its use of perspective and composition, and its contribution to the development of religious art by a female artist within the Renaissance period.

Madonna and Child with two Angels exemplifies key characteristics of Renaissance art:Lippi's portrayal of the figures showcases naturalism with the lifelike accuracy of the faces and the natural, flowing folds of the drapery. The painting demonstrates Lippi's mastery of perspective, with the figures arranged in a three-dimensional space that recedes convincingly into the background. This use of perspective creates a sense of depth and realism in the composition. Lippi captures the emotional expression in the painting with the tenderness and intimacy of the relationship between Mary and Jesus, as well as the joyfulness of the angels' presence.

Dome of the Florence Cathedral

The dome of the Florence Cathedral was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, a renowned Florentine architect and engineer. The construction of the dome began in 1420 and it was not completed until 1436. The dome is considered a showcase of Renaissance art and architecture. Brunelleschi's innovative building technique of the dome created a self-supporting structure. The dome's harmonious proportions and geometric precision reflect the importance of mathematical principles in architecture.

Who were the Medicis?

Left: Portrait of Cosimo de' Medici by Bronzino. 1545.

The Medici family was a powerful and influential dynasty of Florence during the Renaissance. Cosimo de' Medici, also known as Cosimo the Elder was one of the most prominant leaders of Florence. Cosimo was not just a skilled politican and banker but also a passionate patron of the arts. He supported numerous artists including Donatello and Brunelleschi. Cosimo's grandson, Lorenzo de' Medici, also known as Lorenzo the Magnificant, continued the family's tradition of patronage. He supported renowed artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Right: Portrait of Lorenzo de' Medici by Agnolo Bronzino. 1560.

Plautilla Nelli's role as a nun and her environment within the convent significantly influenced her artistic style and subject matter. As a nun, Nelli's access to the outside world was limited, and her artistic training likely occurred within the confines of the convent. This environment would have shaped her artistic sensibilities and influenced the subjects she painted. Being immersed in a religious setting, it's natural that Nelli focused on religious themes in her artwork, such as biblical scenes and devotional images. Additionally, her training within the convent may have emphasized traditional religious iconography and techniques, which can be seen in her works, including the Last Supper.

Instructions for Answering Review Questions

1. Open your dedicated art journal or create a new digital document. 2. Thoughtfully answer each of the review questions in your journal. Take your time to recall and articulate your understanding. 3. Once you have completed your responses, click on the interactive button below each question to reveal the answer and additional insights. 4. Compare your answers with the provided responses. Take note of any differences or similarities. 5. Reflect on the feedback to deepend your comprehension and address any areas of confusion. 6. Share your journal or digital document with your teacher. Feel free to ask questions or seek clarification from your teacher on these topics.

Donatello was a pioneering figure in Renaissance art. He was one of the first sculptors of the Renaissance to break away from the rigid conventions of the medieval period. Aspects of Renaissance Art in the Statue include: Naturalism: The statue portrays David as a youthful and slender figure, with lifelike proportions and anatomy. Classical Influence: Donatello's David draws upon classical themes and forms, particularly evident in the statue's contrapposto pose, which echoes the naturalistic stance of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. Emotional Expression: Donatello's David captures a moment of intense concentration and resolve as David prepares to confront Goliath. The expression on David's face and the tension in his pose evoke a sense of determination and courage.

Bacchus and Ariadne is a famous painting by the Venetian artist Titain between 1520 and 1523. The painting depicts the mythological scene of Bacchus (also known as Dionysus), the god of wine, riding a chariot drawn by two cheetahs. He encounters Ariadne, the abandoned lover of Theseus. Bacchus falls in love with Ariadne and the painting captures the moment of their meeting. The painting reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology. Titian was known for his mastery of color, light, and texture, as well as his ability to convey emotion and human psychology in his paintings.

Bacchus and Ariadne