The Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began in the fourteenth century and spread across Europe till the seventeenth century. This was a time of complete change, drastic revolution and incredible transformation of the human race. The rebirth came shortly after a massive death that was caused by a global pandemic. It was named the Black Death. This era saw the transition from the middle age to the new and modern era where classical education and lifestyle is the order of the day. The transformation cut across the sectors of life, which is why it is known as the great rebirth.
During the rebirth, there was an economic revolution. There was increased trade and a good relationship between the east and west Europe, and thus people started becoming financially stable. There was a political revolution that even saw the rise of noble families and rulers, a perfect example being the Medici movement that saw this noble family produce four popes. During this time, religion took a different shape, and other people started questioning and reasoning. Initially, in Italy, catholic was the dominant and the sole universal church.
During the rebirth, many activist groups mushroomed that challenged the doctrines of the Catholic Church, one being led by people like dr. Martin Luther king junior that pioneered the Protestants movement. This was a rebel section that was formerly part of the Catholic Church, under roman pope’s papacy.
The Italians, who during this Renaissance were substantially wealthy, read about the greeks and Romans. The realized that the belief that human life was just supposed to be all about hard work till death was a terrible fallacy which ought not to be followed again. During their awakening, the Italians realized that several inventions like art and music could make life more sweet, comfortable and enjoyable. It is around this time that rapid and robust industrial activities began and education was at the centre of it all, especially with the invention of the printing press that eased communication, education and even enlightenment of the people.
Humanism was the revolution that resulted from the knowledge of the roman and Greek culture. Initially, during the middle age period, the man believed so much in superstition and always focused on life, death and what life after death was. They believed in God and never questioned anything. When man rediscovered himself and realized that everything good in life ought to be about him, humanism was born.
Humanism tried to redefine human life and gave a different meaning to life, wealth, luxury, and useful life was seen around this time, man no longer looked worried and scared of the future. This is the time when modern-day life slogan YOLO! Can be traced back to. Petrarch has in many cases and writings been described as the father of humanism. This is so because Petrarch contributed so much towards modern-day classical form of education. He penned down quite a several books. He also used poetry to spread knowledge and love across. Petrarch also shaped the outlook of the Italian language. One remarkable thing that he will forever be remembered for is his work and attempt to translate Greek books into the Latin language. Petrarch’s work of translation contributed so much into the education sector, and hence he earned his name of the father of humanism.
Renaissance art included several disciplines. Art included paintings, sculpture, architecture and literature. Art entailed the realistic and practical representation of figures on a surface or space, rendered and endowed with motions. These represented daily happenings like politics, marriages, and even feelings. One of the most prominent families, the Medici, ensured that art spread across. The Medici family wielded power and luxury that they single-handedly sponsored art and architecture. By supporting art and architecture, the Medici family remained more prominent and relevant. Their linage produced four popes.
The Medici family was a banking family that also took part in the textile industry business. They managed to take Florence school of arts and thereby greatly influenced art. Some of the people whose names cannot go unmentioned in their contribution to the development of art include Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was a great scientist who doubled up as an academician and also an inventor. Leonardo da Vinci also took part in drawings and painting of some of the greatest Renaissance masterpieces. Most of Da Vinci’s works are celebrated, but not so much as his painting of Mona Lisa. Many other artists have written, sung and even visited the portrait of Mona Lisa severally. Mona Lisa painting has raised a lot of questions. The drawing cannot be explained, because it is an elusive smile, whose nature cannot be determined. Da Vinci makes twist at the corner of the mouth tactically and professionally. Mona Lisa is documented to be a real-life character and was the wife of a wealthy silk merchant.
Another famous work of Da Vinci was the painting of the last supper. In this painting, Da Vinci portrays Jesus and his famous twelve disciples. According to the art, it is at this point that Jesus shares a meal with his disciples and tell s them that one of them will betray him. This painting of Leonardo Da Vinci is a common sight even in the churches and Christian religious buildings even today. This masterpiece shows a group of obviously upset and worried apostles trying to figure out who among them would attempt to betray their teacher and leader, Jesus.
Da Vinci did a lot of work. The other image that raised a lot of concerns is the one that he depicts Mary mother of Jesus and Jesus playing with a lamb. Her mother, St. Anne, hold Mary. This painting is very symbolical because Jesus, who is playing with the lamb, the layer would come to be the sacrificial lamb that saved the world from death due to their sin. Florence is described as the art market place because it was the centre of trade in this region. Wealthy merchants who dominated the industry and few power brokers also majored in music, art and literature. The art market included sculptures and statues.
One of the sculptures whose story is mentioned is the statue of Venus by a Greek workman. They believed that this statue carried terrible luck with it and so they brought it down and even burned it.