Renaissance: Rebirth of Art

Formally, Renaissance art is characterized by naturalism, the use of expressive gesture, linear perspective, atmospheric perspective, and chiaroscuro. In painting, figures are placed in a three-dimensional, believable space, and their posture and gesture is part of a complex formal arrangement. There is the beginning of perspective in the work, but not is a sense that makes the space look real. Leonardo's Madonna, on the other hand, sits in a real-looking landscape, and appears in a natural looking posture, mid gesture. The sense of depth is illusionistic; for example, in the foreshortening on her raised hand. There appears to be a single, soft light source in Leonardo's painting, with carefully rendered light and shadow. The Cimabue work has a little shadowing on the faces, but primarily without illusionistic depth. Another key characteristic of Renaissance art is that tends to be monumental. This was a time of a powerful and wealthy church, princely courts, and powerful patrons like the de Medici family. Architecture, sculpture, and painting is massive, opulent, and enduring. The primo fresco of the Sistine Chapel is not only vast, but meant to last forever. Along with the monumentality of art, there is also the beginning of artistic fame. While particular popes or patrons sought to be eternally commemorated with art commissions, artists sought perfection and recognition. Not only have their works endured, but so has their own fame.

The Renaissance had massive effects on developements that led to todays society. Early democratic governments emerged in Renaissance Italy. Greek and Roman classics that were rediscovered during the Renaissance were studied in Humanists schools. These forms of education based on study of science, mathematics, history, and liturature are used today. Roman architecture that was used in the Renaissance can be seen in many cities, especially in state buildings in Washington DC. Inventions such as linear perspective and printing are used today. Many artists and sculpters in the Renaissance had a huge impact on society. The White house itself is based on a design by Michelangelo. The Reformation of the Church also brought great change. Many Popes were corrupt at the time and reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin took a stand and formed the protestant church. There would still be many corrupt popes and officials in Europe today. Some of Shakespeare's(a screenplay writer) wrote many famous plays such as Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. It affects our world in almost every aspect, even war.