Italian and Spanish Renaissance Art
1. Renaissance Architecture in Italy
Early Renaissance (Quattrocento)
a) Filippo Brunelleschi
Brunelleschi spearheaded an artistic revolution in architecture. Inspired by antiquity, his masterpieces include the Dome of Florence Cathedral, the Hospital of the Innocents, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, and the Basilica of the Holy Spirit.
- Dome of Florence Cathedral: A technical marvel, the dome’s pointed profile rests on an octagonal drum. Its construction, reminiscent of the Pantheon, involved two caps separated by a hollow space. The drum features colored marble slabs, and the exterior is finished with red brick and a lantern.
- Church of San Lorenzo: Built for the Medici family, the church’s Latin cross plan creates a centralized visual effect. Classical elements like columns, archways, and Corinthian capitals are used. The coffered ceiling and harmonious design evoke classical works.
b) Leon Battista Alberti
Alberti, also a theorist, found inspiration in classical Rome and Brunelleschi. His notable works include the Rucellai Palace and the facade of the church of St. Mary Novella.
- Rucellai Palace: This palace exemplifies urban renewal. Its flat facade emphasizes light and shadow. Alberti uses overlapping orders—Tuscan pilasters on the first floor and Corinthian pilasters on the second and third—to distinguish the floors. The “Albertine” windows, with mullions and oculi, are a distinctive feature.
High Renaissance (Cinquecento)
a) St. Peter’s Basilica
- Bramante’s Plan: Bramante’s design featured a Greek cross inscribed in a square, with a central dome and four smaller domes. This plan emphasized external volumes.
- Raphael’s Plan: Raphael’s revision, favored by Pope Leo X, returned to a Latin cross plan with three naves and chapels, while retaining Bramante’s central dome.
- Antonio da Sangallo the Younger’s Plan: Sangallo rejected Raphael’s plan but also adopted a Greek cross layout.
- Michelangelo’s Plan: Michelangelo’s final design retained the Greek cross, with massive chamfered pillars supporting a taller dome. The dome rests on a circular drum with paired columns, and a lantern tops the dome.
b) Andrea Palladio
Palladio, a prominent architect and theorist, is known for his villas, which reinterpret classical architecture.
- Villa Rotonda: This villa features a central circular room with a dome and four porches resembling a Roman temple. The Ionic order, pediment, and staircase contribute to its monumental simplicity.
2. Renaissance Sculpture
a) Donatello
Donatello’s early work, like his marble David, shows medieval influences. His later work reflects a humanist approach, inspired by classical antiquity. He focused on the human figure, as seen in the equestrian statue of Gattamelata.
b) Michelangelo
Michelangelo’s sculptural work, influenced by classical sculptures and Mannerism, features powerful figures and emotional intensity.
- Pietà: This classic work, carved from Carrara marble, depicts the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus. The Madonna’s youthful face and elegant drapery contrast with Christ’s realistic depiction.
- David: This colossal statue, carved from a single block of marble, symbolizes the triumph of the Republic. Its powerful musculature and confident expression foreshadow Mannerist tension.
- Moses: This dynamic sculpture captures Moses’ rage upon discovering the Israelites’ idolatry. The expressive beard, intense gaze, and dramatic light and shadow exemplify Michelangelo’s terribilità.
- Medici Tombs: These tombs feature allegorical figures of Dawn, Twilight, Night, and Day, symbolizing the passage of time. The elongated figures and expressive anatomy reflect Michelangelo’s Mannerist style.
- Rondanini Pietà: This unfinished work, marked by elongated figures and dynamic composition, reveals Michelangelo’s spiritual crisis.
3. The Renaissance in Spain
A) Architecture
a) Plateresque
This early Renaissance style, also known as Isabelline or Cisneros style, is characterized by intricate ornamentation, reminiscent of silversmith work. Examples include the University of Salamanca and the Palace of Monterrey.
b) Classicism or Purism
This style emphasizes classical rules and volumes. The Palace of Charles V at the Alhambra exemplifies this style, with its Roman Mannerist facade and Doric and Ionic orders.
c) Herreran or Escorial
- Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Designed by Juan Bautista de Toledo and completed by Juan de Herrera, El Escorial served as a palace, church, royal tomb, and center for arts and sciences. Its rectangular plan, grid layout, and austere style reflect the power of Philip II.
B) Sculpture
a) Alonso Berruguete
Berruguete’s work shows Mannerist influences. His notable works include the tomb of Cardinal Tavera and the Altarpiece of San Benito.
- San Sebastian: This dynamic sculpture depicts a twisting figure, creating a sense of movement and drama.
b) Juan de Juni
Juni’s sculptures are known for their emotional intensity and detailed anatomy. His works, such as the Entombment and the Pietà of Medina del Campo, had a significant impact on Castilian sculpture.
C) Painting
El Greco
El Greco’s painting combines Byzantine, Venetian, and Spanish influences, resulting in a unique mystical and expressive style.
- The Trinity: This painting features elongated figures, dramatic light and shadow, and acidic colors, characteristic of El Greco’s Mannerist style.
- Burial of Count Orgaz: This work depicts a miraculous event, with the earthly and heavenly realms separated by an angel. The realistic lower level contrasts with the stylized, ethereal upper level, showcasing El Greco’s diverse artistic approach.