Humanism and Renaissance: Art, Society, and Spread

Posted on Feb 16, 2025 in Music

Humanism

Humanism was a philosophical and cultural movement that started in Italy in the 14th century.

Characteristics

  • Anthropocentrism: They rejected theocentric mentality.
  • Classical Antiquity: Greek and Latin texts inspired by the philosophers of antiquity, Plato and Aristotle.
  • Scientific Curiosity: They were interested in science and technological progress.

Origin

During the 15th century, it spread to three different regions:

  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Naples

Spread

  • The use of the Romance languages: (French, Spanish, and Italian) transmitting knowledge.
  • The invention of the printing press: Johannes Gutenberg.
  • Schools and universities: Such as Bologna, Florence, and Alcalá de Henares.
  • England: Thomas More, a lawyer, proposed a new model of social organization in his book Utopia.
  • The Netherlands: Erasmus of Rotterdam wrote The Praise of Folly, a representation of Christian humanism.
  • Spain: Antonio de Nebrija, in Seville, wrote the first book on Spanish grammar. The Valencian Luis Vives was an important philosopher and educator.

Renaissance

Society

  • Nobility and the Bourgeoisie
    • Both the bourgeoisie and the nobility became patrons of the arts. The Medici family in Florence.
  • Artists
    • Artists were more respected socially.
    • Culture became more secular as people discussed topics outside religious themes.

Characteristics

  • Human Anatomy and Nature: Classical canons of beauty and proportion.
  • Harmony and Clarity of Lines: Buildings on a human scale.
  • Religion and New Themes: Ancient mythology, portraits, and landscapes.

Periods

  • Quattrocento: Began in Florence during the 15th century, a period of experimentation.
  • Cinquecento: Period of maturity in the 16th century, Rome and Venice became new centers.

Quattrocento

Architecture

Simple and proportional buildings:

  • Filippo Brunelleschi: Geometric perfection.
  • Alberti and Michelozzo.

Painting

Perspective and harmony, to represent balanced compositions and ideal landscapes:

  • Fra Angelico.
  • Masaccio.
  • Piero della Francesca.
  • Sandro Botticelli.

Sculpture

Interested in human anatomy, classical proportions through idealism:

  • Donatello.
  • Ghiberti.

Cinquecento

Classicism

  • Architecture
    • Austere and monumental harmony. The Rome of Pope Julius II was the center for Bramante and Michelangelo. In Venice…
  • Painting
    • Perspective and human proportion, light and color to achieve a natural look.
    • Leonardo da Vinci.
    • Raphael Sanzio: The School of Athens.
    • Michelangelo.
    • In Venice, Tintoretto and Titian.
  • Sculpture
    • Importance of the human body, proportion and balance; they often represented nudes. Michelangelo.

Michelangelo: A Genius and Visionary

Michelangelo evolved from the sensitivity of classicism to more expressive and dramatic figures, anticipating a new style.

Mannerism

Applying a new meaning to classic shapes. In attempts to surprise the viewer, colossal size and disproportion between its elements.

Spread of the Renaissance

The Renaissance in Spain

  • Architecture
    • Plateresque: Renaissance decorative elements in Gothic buildings. Façade of the University of Salamanca.
    • Classical: Classical art influenced by the Renaissance. The Palace of Carlos V, Granada.
    • Herrerian: Buildings became more monumental and geometric, but lacked decorative elements.
  • Sculpture and Painting
    • Used drama to express their deep religious faith.
    • El Greco is known for creating complex compositions with cold colors and elongated figures displaying dramatic gestures.

The Renaissance in Europe

  • North of Europe
    • Flanders: Detailed portraits and landscapes.
    • Germany: Albrecht Dürer, a brilliant engraver, pioneered the art of self-portraits.
  • France
    • Palaces like Château de Chambord or the Palace of Fontainebleau.