The Renaissance: A Cultural Movement Of Renaissance Art

Renaissance describes the changes in that occurred in Europe and its culture. The term Renaissance or rinascita in Italian means rebirth, a rebirth of interest in the Classical civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance was not an event but a cultural movement that took span over a number of centuries, from around the 14th and 17th century. This period followed the medieval ages which was a period lacking in progress, society was hierarchically divided into classes and was greatly influenced by the church.

The movement started in Italy, but it eventually spread through Europe creating other rebirths such as the French Renaissance. The most powerful city-states were Florence, the Papal States (centred in Rome), Venice and Milan.

Artists looked back to the Classical periods for information on areas such as philosophy, poetry, painting, sculpture and architecture, not to imitate or clone their works, but rather to surpass them and improve their work. Artists adopted aesthetic values of the classical antiquity, emphasizing on beauty and proportion. Painters such as Giotto and other artists experimented with innovative techniques to portray a better perspective. Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo represent the climax of this period and are the best known artists till this day. Architecture also drew upon ancient Greek and Roman ideas, such as Filippo Brunelleschi who used innovative techniques for the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence but was inspired and drew from the Pantheon in Rome.

The Renaissance started in Italy because of its geographical position. Secondly, Italy became an area of asylum. Furthermore, Italians were descendants of the Roman Empire. The Medici family also helped Florence and Italy to become the birthplace of this

1. Causes: Why it started in Italy

The unique characteristics of Italian city states form the right environment for learning and artistic expression. It was in these independent city states, Florence, Venice, Rome and Milan that the Renaissance emerged. This is because they were hubs of trade and commerce and grew wealthy through these ventures forming a class of businessmen. These became patrons to various artists providing them with funds, property and essentials so they can focus on using their talents to create paintings, sculpture, literature, and beautiful feats of architecture.

The Medici family was a crucial actor that helped the Renaissance to flourish in Italy. It attained power in the centuries before due to successful business ventures. As a centre of trade for wool, silk, jewellery and art amongst others, the political power of Florence was in the hands of the Medici. The Medici built mansions and villas and also contributed to cathedrals. This family played an important role in the political development of the city-state and was one of the generous patrons of arts and supported various Renaissance artists such as Massaccio and also commissioned artists for their artwork such as Brunelleschi who was commission to reconstruct the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. With the help of the Medici, Florence became a hub of art and trade and it became the ideal model for Renaissance art, architecture and