The Renaissance period -- that spanned roughly from the 14th century to the 17th century -- was a time for change and movement in society. The word Renaissance is derived from the Italian word “Rinascimento” meaning born again. During the Renaissance the arts went through a revolutionary change. This was depicted in their paintings and sculptures, the architecture of buildings and structures, and in their theatrical shows and music. These revolutionary changes continue to have impact on our society and modern art today. The design and creation of our modern day sculptures and paintings all come from the revolutionary thinking of the artists during the Renaissance. Paintings were revolutionized from pre Renaissance by the addition of perspective giving depth to paintings making them come to life giving an almost realistic look. Giotto, known as the “father of the Renaissance”, was the first painter recorded to use approximate perspective to bring his paintings to life and to give them depth. This technique was also used by many other Renaissance painters. One painter was Leonardo da Vinci; he is famous for painting the Mona Lisa. Today the approximate perspective technique is still used and taught in art and history classes all over the world. The sculptors of the Renaissance were
Brown 2 revolutionary as well. A good example of this is the symbolism shown in their work as well as the range of emotions carved into each piece. The most famous of these sculptors was Donatello. Emotion and symbolism is still shown with our modern sculptures and again is taught across the world. Both paintings and sculptures changed during the Renaissance period; demonstrating that the Renaissance period was a time of revolution in the arts. The design and ideas of modern architecture are influenced by the revolutionary ideas of the Renaissance architects. Architecture was revolutionized first by Filippo Brunelleschi by developing a mathematical theory of linear perspective. Brunelleschi was the first to use linear perspective or a vanishing point in architecture after it was first being used in paintings. This lead to many new designs in their structures and buildings making them harmonized, proportioned, and symmetrical. Leon Battista Alberti followed Brunelleschi’s principals to design as did many other architectural greats of the time giving us Renaissance gothic architecture. Today this concept of perspective is in our buildings and structures all over the world. Architecture went through changes during the Renaissance, revolutionizing the way architects envisioned and designed buildings; demonstrating that the arts during the Renaissance period were revolutionary. The writing and performing of modern theatre and music are influenced by the revolutionary creativity of the Renaissance playwrights and musicians. The main style of theatre used in Italy was “Commedia dell 'Arte”, meaning “the comedy of professional
Brown 3 artists”. The Renaissance revolutionized how theatre shows were performed by including various new types of genres such as history. They also revolutionized theatre by creating expensive sets and costumes to make the show more believable and realistic to life. Many of these plays are still performed and studied such as those by Shakespeare. His revolutionary ideas and storylines are still used today in movies and other types of media. The music of the Renaissance was also revolutionary. The vocal range of the people of the Renaissance expanded to higher notes. This lead to opera revolutionizing how we could listen to music at this high pitch and also compose it. Composers took interest in writing sheet music of specific instruments, they also discovered new techniques such as harmony in their compositions. The revolutionary work of the Renaissance playwrights and musicians as well as composers still exists today as their techniques and discoveries are still used. Today we learn about Shakespeare and his works all around the world. He has broadly influenced our culture, demonstrating that the arts of the Renaissance were revolutionary. This time of rebirth paved the way for the arts contributing ideas and techniques never seen before which are still used today. The paintings and sculptures, as well as the architecture of buildings and structures, and the theatrical shows and music of the Renaissance were revolutionary and has impacted our modern art today.
Bibliography
Discovery Media. "Rinascimento : Who, What, Where, When." Serving History :. http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Rinascimento (accessed September 29, 2010).

"Early Renaissance Art: Painting, Sculpture: History, Famous Artists." World Art | Encyclopedia of Visual Arts Around the World | History of Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking: Artists, Museums, Galleries, Exhibitions. http://www.visual-arts- cork.com/history-of-art/early-renaissance.htm (accessed September 29, 2010).
"ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART." WWW-VL History Central Catalogue. http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/gilbert/07.html (accessed September 28, 2010).
"Italian Theatre Index." TheatreHistory.com. http://www.theatrehistory.com/italian/ (accessed September 28, 2010).
Robin. "Key Innovations and Artists of the Italian Renaissance ." http://www.robinurton.com/history/Renaissance/early_ren.htm (accessed september 28).
Discovery Media Robin
"Italian Theatre Index."
Bibliography: Discovery Media. "Rinascimento : Who, What, Where, When." Serving History :. http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Rinascimento (accessed September 29, 2010).  "Early Renaissance Art: Painting, Sculpture: History, Famous Artists." World Art | Encyclopedia of Visual Arts Around the World | History of Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking: Artists, Museums, Galleries, Exhibitions. http://www.visual-arts- cork.com/history-of-art/early-renaissance.htm (accessed September 29, 2010). "ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART." WWW-VL History Central Catalogue. http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/gilbert/07.html (accessed September 28, 2010). "Italian Theatre Index." TheatreHistory.com. http://www.theatrehistory.com/italian/ (accessed September 28, 2010). Robin. "Key Innovations and Artists of the Italian Renaissance ." http://www.robinurton.com/history/Renaissance/early_ren.htm (accessed september 28). Discovery Media Robin "Italian Theatre Index."
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Renaissance (European): A period of intense artistic and intellectual activity, said to be a “revert” of Greco-Roman culture. Usually divided into an Italian Renaissance, from roughly the -mid-14TH to mid-15TH century, and a Northern (Transalpine) Renaissance, from roughly the early 15th to early 17th century…
- 3105 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
They were definitely not concerned with making their artwork look lifelike, as can be depicted by famous artwork of many medieval painters. Renaissance writers wanted to portray the world realistically in a natural state, with life-like people showing real emotions.<br><br>During the early 1300s and 1400s, several particular artisans stood out among the masses. Giotto is considered the first artist to portray nature realistically. He produced many frescoes with characters that showed real emotions and had realistic settings. All Renaissance painters would take after Giotto's work.<br><br>Brunelleschi was the first Renaissance architect to revive the Roman style of architecture. He incorporated arches, columns, and other elements of classic architectue in his famous designs. One of his best known buildings, the Pazzi Chapel in Florence, was the first building to be designed with such elements. Brunelleschi is also credited with the invention of linear perspective, a mathamatical system painters could use to show space and depth on a flat surface.<br><br>Masaccio is most noted for using Brunelleschi's techniques in a series of frescoes designed for the Church of Santa Maria de Carmine in Florence. The scenes in his paintings…
- 1794 Words
- 8 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“The Renaissance period was a time of great cultural upheaval which had a profound effect on European intellectual development. Having its beginnings in Italy, by the 16th century, it had spread to the rest of Europe. Its influence was felt in various aspects of intellectual pursuits such as philosophy, literature, religion, science, politics, and, of course, art. The scholars of this period applied the humanist method in every field of study, and sought human emotion and realism in art. The inherent reason for the changes incorporated in artistic technique was a renewed interest in depicting nature in its natural beauty, as well as to resolve the fundamentals of aesthetics, the pinnacles of which can be seen in the works of some of the best of Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, regarded as the most versatile of geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo, 1475-1564, a Florentine sculptor, painter and architect, and Raphael, 1483-1520, whose works embody the ideals of High Renaissance.” (Putatunda, Rita (N.D). Italian Culture: Renaissance Art and Artists.…
- 1181 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Renaissance means revival or rebirth, and that hits this time period right on the dot. During the middle ages art was more of a hobby and people didn’t admire it, but that changed dramatically through the Renaissance. Theodore Rabb wrote “The march to modernity” and in it he stated “art made during the Renaissance echoes broader movements and interest of the new age”(Doc.A). In document B an excerpt from the play Everyman by an unknown author, “Both Strength, pleasure, and beauty will fade from thee as flower in may” (Doc.B). The scientific outlook on Earth was vastly different in the Renaissance as it changed from the geocentric model (Earth centered) to the heliocentric model (Sun centered) (Doc.C).The renaissance changed the outlook of man, on man through literature, artwork, scientific breakthrough, and philosophy.…
- 510 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Renaissance was a period of time between the 14th and 17th centuries, an intellectual movement that caused people to have new views about the world. The focus of people was shifted from being a religious society to a more secular and rational one, focusing on humanism rather than religion.…
- 877 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Renaissance is a seen a distinct period of time emerging in the beginning of the fifteenth century, immediately following what is now termed the Middle Ages. First manifesting itself in Italy, it is considered “a period which witnessed transition from the medieval to the modern age, that is to say, the latter part of the fifteenth and the beginning of the sixteenth century” (Bishop, 130).[i] Renaissance literally means “rebirth,” referring to the rebirth of antiquity, or Greco-Roman civilization. Prior to this, “the advanced…
- 3035 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Two portraits can be used as an example to show how the art style in the Renaissance differs from past artwork. “One is from Ballini, Portrait of a Young Man and the other was painted by Raphael, called Portrait of a Young Man With an Apple (Doc. 5).” In Ballini’s work, we see a man staring off to something to the left with a blank expression on his face. He is wearing dark clothes and there is no background behind him. In Raphael’s work however, we see a man holding an apple which rests on his other hand. He has different textured clothes on and he is looking at the painter with a bit more expression to his face. There is also a background in this portrait. There may be some differences in both portraits, like their point of view, what they are doing in the painting, or what the background style is like, but both of these portraits have a major similarity. They both are portraits of a man, which show the concept of humanism and focus on the individual. In both portraits, there's is a good amount of detail on the face and what the man is looking at. This is also seen in a sculpted statue called David, by Michelangelo (Doc. 7).” Michelangelo sculpted David with an excessive amount of detail from his muscular complexion to his serious expression and contrapposto stance. Renaissance artists focused more on the concept of humanism and included it into their works of art by bringing out facial features and expressions, defined human details, and used new art techniques like contrapposto and linear perspective which made Renaissance art differ greatly from past artwork, which featured less humanistic qualities standing…
- 1221 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
The Renaissance Era – a cultural movement that revolutionized the way we think and know about art. Broadly speaking, the Renaissance movement is used to describe how Europeans moved away from the primitive ideas of the middle ages. The ideology that dominated the Middle Ages was heavily focused on the absolute power of God and was enforced by the formidable Catholic Church. From the Fourteenth Century onwards, people started to break away from this idea. The renaissance movement did not necessarily reject the idea of God, but rather questioned humankind’s relationship to God – an idea that caused an unprecedented upheaval in the accepted social hierarchy. This focus on humanity created a new-found freedom for artists, writers and philosophers…
- 1147 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
He created new techniques like the shallow relief technique which is when the sculpture seems deep but is actually done on a very shallow plane. Donatello also was the first to make a bronze sculpture which also branched to new sculpture ideas. He also tried different sculpting techniques and explored different branches of art instead of the gothic style he was used to. Today, many people see Donatello's work as the bridge from classical art to modern art. He is considered as the father of modern art because his sculptures showed realism which really brought them to life. Because of his new innovative techniques and style of art it inspired many artists. From the renaissance to now Donatello's art still inspires and influences…
- 633 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Renaissance started in the 1400s; this time of culture took place in all of Europe. During this time art and literature had flourished. Artists had been at their best during the high renaissance which was during the 1500’s. During this time people had used oil on canvas for the first time. These techniques gave more details and depth to the painting. This was called perspective. The Mona Lisa was a world renowned painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. It was a painting of his wife even though she was not very special historically. This painting was so popular that it had set the standard for all other paintings of that time. Another painting that Leonardo painted was “The Last Supper “was Jesus with his disciples eating. This painting had amazing…
- 306 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The Renaissance The Renaissance was a time when talented persons renewed roots and established many forms of art and expression. It was a major turning point for the world of religion and art that started in the 14th century or so. It was what most people remembered as coming out of the Middle Ages. Many reforms and dramatic events occurred during the Renaissance because it was a time of rebirth of the Roman culture. Many artist found themselves in some of the best places painting and sculpting for the best known people.…
- 609 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
-He painted a scene that would normally be reserved for something religious and was highly controversial during the time. He took a step that went against the bourgeois values by not caring about the class definitions that were socially acceptable. He painted something that he “shouldn’t” have, but it brought him instant fame.…
- 562 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
One area where Renaissance artists expressed their interest in human nature was in paintings. First compare the picture of the Madonna with the Renaissance painting of the Mona Lisa. Leonardo da Vinci showed a woman as she really looked. He used shading, natural folds in clothing and human expression to paint a person. This is very different from Buoninsegna’s painting. He painted a statue. The face has few features, and is 2 dimensional. The child looks like a little man, and he uses religious symbols to portray emotion. Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Mona Lisa demonstrates the new Renaissance idea of human nature because it illustrated a shift from the use of symbolic representation to convey and idea to the use of human emotions or recognizable scenes. It also shifted focus from religious figures to the individual in a natural setting with greater realistic detail.…
- 535 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Renaissance art was said to capture the mystery and beauty of the world. Known for the…
- 3459 Words
- 14 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Renaissance was the period of economic progress where cities were built. The term “Renaissance” came from the French language meaning, “rebirth.” In this period, another word was created for man. There was a classical learning in the study of the ancient Greek and Roman texts. The period stirred enthusiasm for the philosophy and artistic values of the ancients. The ideals of classicism- balance, harmony, proportion and intellectual order became the artistic standard of the time.…
- 1810 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays