The Renaissance
or “rebirth”, originating in Italy, was the first period in the modern times lasting from 1300 to 1600
(Fiero 173). The economic, political, and cultural events, including Black
Plague, the Hundred Years’ War, and a decline of the Roman Catholic Church,
changed how everyone in Western Europe lived their lives, which led to the
rebirth (Fiero 174).
For the first time, people in the Renaissance era realized
that human life could have pleasure causing people to
rethink many previous ideas and have a desire to learn. The era’s humanistic classical
ideas created a universal man who is an intellectual, but also had the perfect
physical body who could handle any situation honorably. Furthermore, the
humanism views are depicted in art through the harmony, balance, geometric
lines, and order, which can be seen in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and The School of Athens by Raphael. The
aspects of Renaissance culture and art can been seen through three main themes:
Humanism, Naturalism, and Individualism. Humanism is the set of educational
ideas based on the program studia
humanitatis, which emphasizes study the five humanities: grammar, poetry,
history, rhetoric, and moral philosophy (Fiero 183). This learning is critical,
consequential and practical. These new education ideas caused for new interest
in the body and classic ideas that are depicted in the art. In addition,
the
interest in Naturalism made the art natural and lifelike
(Fiero 180). The last main theme during the Renaissance period is Individualism,
creating interest in the individual face and emotion.
Painting:
Sculpture:
Architecture:
