Medieval art. Early Renaissance culture

Question 1. Who called themselves "lovers of wisdom"?

Lovers of wisdom were people from different strata of society, but all well educated, who not only studied the knowledge of antiquity, as did scholasticism, but worshiped antiquity and dreamed of reviving it completely. They discovered new literary works.

Not that before that they were hidden, but scholasticism was not interested in them, studying only the philosophical and scientific heritage. Lovers of wisdom copied the inscriptions on the stone available to them, left over from the ancient Romans. Before that, the people of the Middle Ages did not pay attention to them, because, in fact, each of them did not carry anything important in itself.

But lovers of wisdom already appreciated the fact that the ancient Romans created it. It was these people who claimed that they were creating the New Time, and between them and the Ancient World - the barbaric Middle Ages.

Question 2. How did humanists represent the role and meaning of man?

It was the humanists who put man in the center of their attention, began to show interest not only in the salvation of his soul, but also in his earthly life. While the medieval church condemned the sinfulness of man, his vices, humanists admired his dignity, his perfection.

Question 3. What was the difference between the ideas of nobility prevalent in feudal society and among humanists?

In feudal society, the word "nobility" was understood literally, that is, "good birth" - birth from worthy ancestors. Humanists, on the other hand, argued that what is valuable is not that from whom a person was born, but that which a person has achieved by educating his soul and lofty reflections.

Question 4. Why did the "lovers of wisdom" call their time the Renaissance?

Because they revived antiquity. They didn't just admire her, but they wanted to restore what the barbarians had destroyed.

Question 5. What new did Renaissance artists bring to architecture, sculpture and painting?

1) a play of chiaroscuro was created in painting, the image became three-dimensional;

2) new types of buildings have been created, now the architecture is oriented not upward, like the Gothic, but horizontally;

3) architecture has become realistic, as in antiquity.

Question 6. Compile and fill in the table "Thinkers and Artists of the Early Renaissance" on your own.

§ 29. Culture of the early Renaissance in Italy

Prerequisites for the Renaissance. In Italy in the XIV-XV centuries. cities developed rapidly, industry flourished, and capitalist manufactory arose. Many cities were large shopping centers connecting Italy with the countries of Europe and the East. There were banks in the cities that conducted lending operations international significance... Precisely because early capitalist relations first of all originated in Italy, an early bourgeois culture began to form in this country, which was called the culture of the Renaissance.

The medieval ideal of asceticism, the idea of ​​human sinfulness, the idea of ​​passive obedience to fate were unacceptable for the early bourgeoisie and a wide circle of people. In this social environment, new ideas and values ​​were formed, saturating the culture and giving it a secular, humanistic character.

The nature of the culture of the Renaissance. The term "Renaissance" (French - "Renaissance") indicates a connection new culture with antiquity. In Italian society, a deep interest in ancient culture with her joyful perception of the world around her and a harmonious combination of mental and physical abilities of a person. Hence the attempt to resurrect a bygone culture worthy of eternal imitation. Renaissance figures tried to revive the style in their writings Latin writers The "golden age" of Roman literature, especially Cicero. This was associated with the revival of classical Latin, which was subjected to distortion and barbarization during the Middle Ages. Humanists were looking for ancient manuscripts of ancient writers. This is how the works of Cicero, Titus Livy, and others were found. Interest in Greek literature and Greek... Leonardo Bruni (1374-1444), Chancellor of the Florentine Republic, translated into Latin language works of Greek writers and philosophers - Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, etc. At this time, many Greek manuscripts were taken from Byzantium to Florence. Giovanni Boccaccio was the first Italian humanist who could read Homer in Greek.

But the culture of the Renaissance is not just a copy of antiquity. Humanists processed and creatively assimilated the ancient heritage. The Italian Renaissance culture has created its own distinctive style.

Soviet historiography regards the culture of the Renaissance as an early bourgeois culture that arose on the basis of a new, capitalist order that was taking shape in the bowels of the feudal formation. Broad social circles, from the nascent bourgeoisie to the advanced part of the nobility, took part in the creation of this culture. All this gave it a broad universal human character. The nascent bourgeoisie itself was then an advanced class, therefore, in the struggle against the feudal worldview, it acted as a representative of "... the rest of society ... not any particular class, but all suffering humanity." in their philosophical, political, scientific and literary views, they are usually denoted by the term "humanism" (from humanus - "human." going forward in spite of fate and achieving success with the power of his mind, firmness of spirit, activity, optimism. A person should enjoy nature, love, art, science, he stands in the center of the universe, humanists believed. Representatives of the new ideology were alien to the idea of ​​man's sinfulness, in particular his body; on the contrary, harmony becomes recognized human soul and body.

Humanists did not oppose religion. But they sharply criticized and ridiculed the vices and ignorance of the clergy. They assigned God the role of a creator who set the world in motion, but did not interfere with the lives of people. The rejection of the church-religious and ascetic worldview, criticism of the Catholic clergy shook the foundations of religious morality and ethics;

humanistic culture was a secular culture. One of the humanists, Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457), in his treatise "On the forgery of the Gift of Constantine" denied the legend that the emperor Constantine handed over to the Pope secular power in Rome and throughout the west of the empire. He proved that the letter was fabricated in the papal chancellery in the 8th century. This undermined the pope's theocratic claims.

Individualism was one of the most important features of the new ideology. Humanists argued that it is not generosity, not a noble origin, but the personal qualities of an individual Man, his mind, dexterity, courage, enterprise and energy ensure success in life. In his treatise On Nobility, Poggio Braccio-lini writes: “Nobility is, as it were, a radiance emanating from virtue; it gives shine to its owners, whatever their origin ... Glory and nobility are measured not by others, but by their own merits ... "

I Dante Alighieri. A galaxy of outstanding poets and writers took part in this new great intellectual movement.

Qiai, scientists and figures of various fields of art. The largest figure who stood on the verge of the Middle Ages and the time of humanism was the Florentine Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). His "Divine Comedy", like no other work of that time, reflected the worldview transition period from the middle ages

|; to the Renaissance. The Divine Comedy was written in Italian (Tuscan dialect) and was an encyclopedia of medieval knowledge. It vividly reflects the life of modern Dante Florence.

Dante had an exceptional power of image, and his poem, especially its first part (hell), makes a tremendous impression. The poet descends into hell and goes through all its nine circles, led by Virgil, whom Dante calls his teacher, although he is a pagan. In hell, Dante observes the torment of sinners. In the first circle there is no torment - there are philosophers and scientists of antiquity; they are pagans and cannot go to heaven, but they do not deserve punishment either. In the second circle, those who have experienced criminal love are tormented, but Dante sympathizes with them. In the third circle, the torment of merchants and usurers; in the fourth circle Dante, as a true Catholic, placed heretics; in the ninth - the traitors Brutus, Cassius, Judas. For the clergy who bought their positions for money, including those for the popes, there are pits of fire prepared.

Political passions boil in hell just like on the streets of Florence. Dante gave a true and deep image human destinies, experiences and aspirations. An amazing impression is made by the story of Dante Ghibellin's political opponent Farinato degli Uberti, who saved Florence from destruction, and although Dante put him in hell, he nevertheless portrayed him in hell as proud, strong and a courageous person... Dante's hero is Ulysses (Odysseus) suffering from hellish torment, always striving for "novelty and truth."

Dante wrote a treatise "On the Monarchy", where he advocated the unification of Italy, which was to become the center of the revived Roman Empire.

Francesco Petrarca. The first humanist in Italy was Petrarch (1304-1374). He was born in Arezzo (Central Italy), in his youth he lived for some time in Avignon, where he studied poetry in complete solitude, then moved to Italy. Together with Boccaccio, Petrarca was the creator of the Italian literary language... In this language he wrote those who received world recognition sonnets about his beloved Laura, in which there is a deep and wonderful feeling for the woman he loves. Petrarch's sonnets have not lost their significance today.

Petrarch had a sharply negative attitude to the Roman curia, calling it "the focus of ignorance": "The stream of sorrows, the abode of wild malice, the temple of heresies and the school of delusions." He, like Dante, worried about the fragmentation of Italy, because of which she was subjected to violence from powerful neighbors. Mourning about the plight of his beautiful homeland sounds in the canzone "My Italy".

As a philosopher, thinker, Petrarch contrasted medieval scholasticism with the science of man, of knowing him inner peace... Most of all, he appreciated the personal qualities of a person, regardless of his origin. All people, he said, have the same red blood. But this first humanist was still characterized by mental confusion, discord between the traditional and the new system of views. Petrarch achieved the greatest recognition and fame during his lifetime. The Roman Senate crowned him with a laurel wreath; The Venetian Senate recognized him greatest poet of its time.

Giovanni Boccaccio. Petrarch's contemporary was Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), a convinced republican, cheerful, emotional nature. His humanistic worldview reflected in The Decameron, a collection of 100 short stories written in Italian, which emphasize the human right to happiness, to sensual pleasures, to love that knows no social barriers. A common thread runs through the idea that real nobility is determined not by nobility, but by valor. The plots of his short stories, written realistically and with humor, he took from the city life of Florence. Boccaccio ridiculed and even branded the vices of the Catholic clergy, priests and monks, showing their ignorance and hypocrisy.

The Church persecuted Boccaccio more than other humanists for sharp satire. His writings were included in the "list of prohibited books." Boccaccio owns the composition "On Glorious Women" and "Biography of Dante". Artworks Bock-366

caccio reflect the democratic, popular spirit in the early Italian Renaissance. The works of Petrarch and Boccaccio were widely recognized not only in Italy, translations of their works appeared in all countries of Western Europe.

History, and in particular the history of their people, aroused great interest among the figures of humanism. They gave a new periodization of history. Flavio Biondo (15th century) wrote a great work:

"History from the decline of the Roman Empire", where he gave the periodization of world history: antiquity, the Middle Ages, modern times. The humanists of Florence paid much attention to the history of their city, its rise and transformation into a republic. Leonardo Bruni wrote The History of Florence in 12 books. Driving force of the historical process, he considered the man himself.

Humanists attached great educational value to history. Here is what the Italian humanist Marsilio Ficino wrote about the significance of history: "... through the study of history, that which is mortal in itself becomes immortal, that which is absent becomes apparent."

Ethical teachings of the Italian humanists. The basic principles of the ethical teachings of the Italian humanists of the 15th century. are closely related to the new understanding of science, not only as the embodiment of knowledge, but as a means of educating the human personality. From their point of view, this applied only to the humanities: rhetoric, philosophy, especially ethics, history, literature.

Coluccio Salutati (humanist and chancellor of the Florentine Republic) (1331-1406) called for an active struggle against evil and vices in order to create a kingdom of goodness, mercy and happiness on earth. He emphasized the importance of free will.

The theory of "civil humanism" is associated with the name of another chancellor of Florence, Leonardo Bruni. In his works, he argued that democracy and freedom are a natural form of human community (meaning the Polansky democracy). Serving society, the homeland, the republic, he considered the most important moral duty of a person and argued that the highest happiness is activity for the benefit of the society in which a person lives. Leonardo Bruni was a brilliant exponent of the ideas of civil humanism, but, in addition, he was a theorist of humanistic pedagogy, a supporter of women's education, a promoter of ancient philosophy.

The pedagogical ideas of the humanists were developed in his writings by Verde Gerriot. He emphasized the great educational role of history and philosophy, as well as grammar, poetics, music, arithmetic and geometry, natural science, medicine, law and theology. The goal of upbringing is the creation of a person who is versatile, educated, creatively active and virtuous.

Early Renaissance Art. Early Italian Renaissance art was presented new painting, sculpture and architecture.

The first major painters were Giotto (1266-1337) and Masaccio (1401-1428), Florentine painters. They wrote on church and religious subjects (fresco painting-painting of walls inside churches), but gave their images realistic features. Giotto was the first artist to free Italian painting from the influence of Byzantine icon painting. On the frescoes by Giotto, living people appear, moving, gesticulating, sometimes joyful, sometimes sad. Masaccio frescoes commemorate further development painting of a new type. He applied the ones discovered in the 15th century. the laws of perspective, which made it possible to make the depicted figures three-dimensional and place them in three-dimensional space.

Donatello (1386-1466) was a major sculptor of this period. He thoroughly studied classical antique sculptures, trying to understand the principles of their creation. He owns sculptures of the portrait type (he was a portrait painter), such as equestrian statue the condottiere of Gattemalata; a realistic figure is the statue of David who killed Goliath, and the statue is the first to show a naked body.

The largest architect of the Early Renaissance was Brunelleski (1377-1445). Combining elements of ancient Roman architecture with Romanesque and Gothic traditions, he created his own independent architectural style. With the help of precise calculations, Brunelleschi solved the difficult problem of erecting a dome on the famous Cathedral of Florence (Maria del Fiore). His architectural structures lightness, harmony and proportionality of parts are inherent (Pazzi chapel in Florence). Brunelleschi built not only temples and chapels, but also civil buildings, such as an educational home in Florence, striking in its grace and harmony; palazzo pitti - new type palace instead of castles of the Middle Ages. Brunelleschi also, like other architects, built fortifications and dams. Al-berti, another major architect of the Renaissance, wrote Ten Books on Architecture, which laid out a scientific theory new architecture, created by him under the influence of the study of ancient monuments. In his other work, On Painting, he formulated a theory of the art of painting, also relying on the heritage of ancient artists.

Humanist movement and its centers. In the XV century. the humanist movement spread throughout Italy. Florence remained its main center, but, in addition to Florence, humanist circles appeared in Rome, Naples, Venice and Milan. The rulers of Florence decorated their city with beautiful buildings, they collected rare books and manuscripts in libraries. The reign of Lorenzo Medici, nicknamed the Magnificent, was distinguished by the greatest splendor. He collected paintings, statues, books in the Medici Gardens; attracted writers, poets, artists, architects, sculptors, scientists to his court. Humanists were in Italy in high esteem, they were invited by popes, magistrates and sovereigns of the Italian city-states to work as chancellors, secretaries, envoys, gave orders for paintings, statues. Humanist writers enjoyed great fame. No wonder Boccaccio said: "It is not the names of great commanders that give glory to writers, on the contrary, the names of kings are passed on to posterity only thanks to writers."

Culture and became the forerunner of the culture of the New Age. And the Renaissance ended in the XVI-XVII centuries, since in each state it has its own date of beginning and end.

Some general information

Distinctive features of the Renaissance are anthropocentrism, that is, an extraordinary interest in man as an individual and his activities. It also includes the secular nature of the culture. The society becomes interested in the culture of antiquity, something like its "revival" takes place. Hence, in fact, the name of such an important period of time appeared. Prominent figures of the Renaissance can be called the immortal Michelangelo, and the always alive Leonardo da Vinci.

The Renaissance (briefly, the main features are described in our article) left its ideological and cultural imprint on all states of Europe. But for each individual country there are individual historical boundaries of the era. And all - because of the unequal economic and social development.

There was a Renaissance in Italy. Here, his first symptoms were noticeable in the XIII-XIV centuries. But the era was firmly rooted only in the 20s of the 15th century. In Germany, France and other powers, the Renaissance emerged much later. At the end of the 15th century, the highest flowering of the Renaissance falls. And already in the next century, a crisis of the ideas of this era was noted. As a result of the incident that happened, Baroque and Mannerism emerged.

What was this era

The Renaissance is the period when the transition from the medieval to the bourgeois begins. This is precisely the stage in history when bourgeois-capitalist relations had not yet been formed, and the socio-feudal foundations were already shaken.

During the Renaissance, a nation begins to form. At this time, the power of the kings, with the support of ordinary townspeople, managed to overcome the power of the feudal nobles. Until that time, there were so-called associations that were called states solely for geographical reasons. Now large monarchies are emerging, based on nationalities and historical destinies.

The Renaissance was characterized by the incredible development of trade relations between different countries... During this period, grandiose geographical discoveries... The Renaissance was the period when the foundations of modern scientific theories... So, natural science appeared with its inventions and discoveries. The turning point for the described process is the discovery of book printing. And it was this that immortalized the Renaissance as an era.

Other achievements of the Renaissance

The Renaissance is briefly characterized by high achievements in the field of literature. Thanks to the advent of book printing, it acquires distribution opportunities that it could not afford before. Ancient manuscripts, which rose like a phoenix from the ashes, are beginning to be translated into different languages ​​and republished. They travel the world as fast as ever. The learning process has become much easier thanks to the ability to reproduce on paper a wide variety of scientific achievements and knowledge.

The revived interest in antiquity and the study of this period was reflected in religious morals and attitudes. Caluccio Salutatti, Chancellor of the Florentine Republic, announced that Holy Bible is nothing more than poetry. During the Renaissance, the Holy Inquisition reaches its peak. This was due to the fact that such a deep study of ancient works could undermine faith in Jesus Christ.

Early and High Renaissance

Features of the Renaissance are indicated by two periods of the existence of the Renaissance. So, scientists divide the entire era into the Early Renaissance and High Renaissance... The first period lasted 80 years - from 1420 to 1500. During this time, art has not yet completely got rid of the remnants of the past, but has already tried to combine them with elements borrowed from classical antiquity. Only much later and very slowly, thanks to the influence of the radically changing conditions of culture and life, do they abandon the foundations of the Middle Ages and begin to use ancient art without a twinge of conscience.

But all this happened in Italy. In other states, art was subordinated to Gothic for a long time. Only at the end of the 15th century did the Renaissance begin in Spain and in the states located north of the Alps. Here, the early stage of the era continues until the middle of the 16th century. But nothing worthy of attention during this period was not produced.

High renaissance

The second era of the Renaissance is considered the most grandiose time of its existence. The High Renaissance also lasted 80 years (1500-1580). During this period, Rome, not Florence, became the capital of art. All this became possible due to the accession to the throne of Pope Julius II. He was an ambitious man. He was also famous for his honesty and enterprise. It was he who attracted the best Italian artists to his court. Under Julius II and his successors, great amount monumental sculptures, unsurpassed sculptures are molded, frescoes and paintings are painted, which are still considered masterpieces of world culture.

Renaissance art periods

Renaissance ideas were embodied in the art of that period. But before talking about art itself, I would like to highlight its main stages. So, the Protorenaissance or introductory period (approximately 1260-1320), Duchento (XIII century), Trecento (XIV century), as well as Quattrocento (XV century) and Cinquecento (XVI century) are celebrated.

Naturally, the sequence of century boundaries does not quite coincide with specific stages. cultural development... The Proto-Renaissance marks the end of the 13th century, the Early Renaissance ends in the 1490s, and the High Renaissance dries up even before the early 1530s. Only in Venice does it continue to exist until the end of the 16th century.

Renaissance literature

Renaissance literature is such immortal names as Shakespeare, Ronsard, Petrarch, Du Bellay and others. It was during the Renaissance that poets demonstrated the victory of humanity over their own shortcomings and mistakes of the past. The most developed was the literature of Germany, France, England, Spain and Italy.

On the English literature the poetry of Italy and classical works... Thomas Wyatt introduces the sonnet form, which is gaining popularity rather quickly. Also worthy of attention is the sonnet created by the Earl of Surrey. The history of English literature is in many ways similar to the literature of France, although their superficial similarity is minimal.

German literature of the Renaissance is known for the appearance of the Schwanks during this period. It is interesting and funny stories, which were first created in the form of poetry, and later in prose. They talked about everyday life, about everyday life ordinary people... All this was presented in a light, playful and casual style.

Literature of France, Spain and Italy

French literature of the Renaissance is marked by new trends. Margarita of Navarre became the patroness of the ideas of the Reformation and humanism. In France, folk and urban art began to come to the fore.

The Renaissance era (you can briefly familiarize yourself with it in our article) in Spain is divided into several periods: the early Renaissance, the high Renaissance and the Baroque. Throughout the era, the country celebrated increased attention to culture and science. In Spain, journalism is developing, printing appears. Some writers have religious and secular motives intertwined.

Representatives of the Renaissance era are Francesco Petrarca and Giovanni Boccaccio. They became the first poets who began to express lofty images and thoughts in frank, common language. This innovation was received with a bang and spread in other countries.

Renaissance and art

The peculiarities of the Renaissance is that the human body became the main source of inspiration and the subject of research for artists of this time. Thus, the emphasis was placed on the similarity of sculpture and painting with reality. The main features of the art of the Renaissance period include radiance, sophisticated use of the brush, the play of shadow and light, thoroughness in the work process and complex compositions. For the artists of the Renaissance, images from the Bible and myths were the main ones.

Into the resemblance real person with his image on a particular canvas was so close that fictional character seemed alive. This cannot be said about the art of the twentieth century.

The Renaissance (its main trends are briefly outlined above) perceived the human body as an endless beginning. Scientists and artists regularly improved their skills and knowledge by studying the bodies of individuals. Then the prevailing opinion was that man was created in the likeness and image of God. This statement reflected physical perfection. The main and important objects of Renaissance art were the gods.

The nature and beauty of the human body

Renaissance art paid great attention to nature. The landscapes were characterized by varied and lush vegetation. Heaven blue-blue hue that pierced the sun's rays that penetrated the clouds white, were a great backdrop for soaring creatures. Renaissance art admired the beauty of the human body. This feature manifested itself in the refined elements of the muscles and body. Difficult poses, facial expressions and gestures, a well-coordinated and clear color palette are characteristic of the work of sculptors and sculptors of the Renaissance period. These include Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and others.

Everyone knows that it was Italy that was the heart of the entire Renaissance period. The great masters of words, brushes and philosophical thought appeared in each of them. Culture in Italy demonstrates the birth of traditions that will develop in subsequent centuries, this period became the starting point, the beginning of a great era in the development of creativity in Europe.

Briefly about the main

Early Renaissance art in Italy spans the period from about 1420 to 1500, preceding and completing the Proto-Renaissance. As with any transitional period, these eighty years are characterized by both ideas that preceded and new ones, which, nevertheless, are borrowed from the distant past, from the classics. Gradually, the creators got rid of medieval concepts, shifting their attention to ancient art.

However, despite the fact that for the most part they sought to return to the ideals of the forgotten art, both in general and in particular, the ancient traditions were intertwined with new ones, but to a much lesser extent.

Architecture of Italy during the Early Renaissance

The main name in the architecture of this period is, of course, Filippo Brunelleschi. He became the personification of Renaissance architecture, organically embodying his ideas, he managed to turn projects into something mesmerizing, and, by the way, his masterpieces are still carefully guarded for many generations. One of his main creative achievements is considered to be the buildings located in the very center of Florence, the most notable of which are the dome - the Florentine Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Pitti Palace, which became the starting point of the Italian architecture of the Early Renaissance.

To others important achievements the Italian Renaissance is also about main square Venice, palaces in Rome by Bernardo di Lorenzo and others. During this period, Italian architecture seeks to organically combine the features of the Middle Ages and the classics, striving for the logic of proportions. An excellent example of this statement is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, again by Filippo Brunelleschi. In others European countries The early Renaissance did not leave such striking examples.

Early Renaissance painters

Outcomes

The culture of the Early Renaissance in Italy, although it strives for the same thing - to display the classics through the prism of naturalness, but the creators go different ways, leaving their names in the Renaissance culture. Many great names, brilliant masterpieces and a complete rethinking of not only artistic, but also philosophical culture - all this brought us a period that foreshadowed other stages of the Renaissance, in which the established ideals found their continuation.

At the beginning of the 15th century, tremendous changes in life and culture took place in Italy. The townspeople, merchants and artisans of Italy since the 12th century have waged a heroic struggle against feudal dependence. Developing trade and production, the townspeople gradually grew rich, threw off the power of the feudal lords and organized free city-states. These free Italian cities became very powerful. Their citizens were proud of their conquests. The enormous wealth of independent Italian cities became the reason for their bright flourishing. The Italian bourgeoisie looked at the world with different eyes, they firmly believed in themselves, in their strength. They were alien to striving for suffering, humility, rejection of all earthly joys that had been preached to them until now. Respect for the earthly man, who enjoys the joys of life, grew. People began to actively relate to life, eagerly study the world, admire its beauty. During this period, various sciences were born, art developed.

There are many monuments of art preserved in Italy Ancient Rome, so antique era again began to be revered as a model, antique art became an object of admiration. The imitation of antiquity gave rise to the name of this period in art - Revival, which in French means "Renaissance"... Of course, this was not a blind, exact repetition of ancient art, it was already new, but based on ancient examples of art. Italian Renaissance divided into 3 stages: VIII - XIV centuries - Pre-Renaissance (Proto-Renaissance or Trecento-with it.); XV century - early Renaissance (Quattrocento); late 15th - early 16th century - High renaissance.

Archaeological excavations were carried out throughout Italy, looking for antique monuments... The newly discovered statues, coins, dishes, weapons were carefully preserved and collected in museums specially created for this. Artists learned from these samples of antiquity, painted them from nature.

Trecento (Pre-Renaissance)

The true beginning of the Renaissance is associated with the name Giotto di Bondone (1266? - 1337)... He is considered the founder of Renaissance painting. The Florentine Giotto has great services to the history of art. He was a renovator, the ancestor of all European painting after the middle ages. Giotto breathed life into Gospel scenes, created images of real people, spiritualized, but earthly.

Giotto creates volumes for the first time using chiaroscuro. He loves clean, light colors of cold shades: pink, pearl gray, pale purple and light purple. The people in Giotto's frescoes are stocky, with a heavy tread. They have large facial features, wide cheekbones, narrow eyes. His man is kind, attentive, serious.

Of the works of Giotto, the frescoes in the temples of Padua are best preserved. Here he presented the gospel stories as existing, earthly, real. In these works, he tells about the problems that worry people at all times: about kindness and mutual understanding, treachery and betrayal, about depth, sorrow, meekness, humility and eternal all-consuming maternal love.

Instead of isolated individual figures, as in medieval painting, Giotto managed to create a coherent story, a whole narrative about the complex inner life of the heroes. Instead of the conventional golden background of the Byzantine mosaics, Giotto introduces a landscape background. And if in Byzantine painting the figures seemed to float, hung in space, then the heroes of Giotto's frescoes found solid ground under their feet. Giotto's search for the transfer of space, plasticity of figures, expressiveness of movement made his art a whole stage in the Renaissance.

One of the famous Pre-Renaissance masters -

Simone Martini (1284 - 1344).

In his painting, the features of the Northern Gothic have been preserved: the Martini figures are elongated, and, as a rule, on a gold background. But Martini creates images with the help of chiaroscuro, gives them a natural movement, tries to convey a certain psychological state.

Quattrocento (early Renaissance)

Antiquity played a huge role in the formation of the secular culture of the early Renaissance. The Platonic Academy opens in Florence, the Laurentian library contains the richest collection of antique manuscripts. The first ones appear art museums filled with statues, fragments of antique architecture, marbles, coins, ceramics. During the Renaissance, the main centers of the artistic life of Italy emerged - Florence, Rome, Venice.

One of the largest centers, the birthplace of new, realistic art was Florence. In the 15th century, many renowned masters of the Renaissance lived, studied and worked there.

Early Renaissance architecture

The inhabitants of Florence had a high artistic culture, they actively participated in the creation of city monuments, discussed options for the construction of beautiful buildings. The architects abandoned everything that resembled Gothic. Under the influence of antiquity, buildings crowned with a dome began to be considered the most perfect. The example here was the Roman Pantheon.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a city-museum. It has kept its architecture from antiquity almost intact, its most beautiful buildings were mainly built during the Renaissance. The huge building of the city cathedral rises above the red brick roofs of old buildings in Florence. Santa Maria del Fiore, which is often referred to simply as the Cathedral of Florence. Its height reaches 107 meters. A magnificent dome, the slenderness of which is emphasized by white-stone ribs, crowns the cathedral. The dome is striking in size (its diameter is 43 m), it crowns the entire panorama of the city. The cathedral is visible from almost every street in Florence, clearly looming against the sky. This magnificent building was built by an architect

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377 - 1446).

The most magnificent and famous domed building of the Renaissance was st peter's cathedral in rome... It was built for over 100 years. The architects were the creators of the original project Bramante and Michelangelo.

Renaissance buildings are decorated with columns, pilasters, lion heads and putti(naked babies), plaster wreaths of flowers and fruits, leaves and many details, samples of which were found in the ruins of ancient Roman buildings. Back in fashion semicircular arch. Wealthy people began to build more beautiful and more comfortable houses. Instead of houses closely nestled together, luxurious palaces - palazzo.

Early Renaissance sculpture

In the 15th century in Florence, there were two famous sculptor -Donatello and Verrocchio.Donatello (1386? - 1466)- one of the first sculptors in Italy who used the experience of ancient art. He created one of wonderful works early Renaissance - the statue of David.

According to biblical legend, a simple shepherd, the young man David defeated the giant Goliath, and thereby saved the inhabitants of Judea from enslavement and later became a king. David was one of the favorite images of the Renaissance. He is depicted by the sculptor not as a humble saint from the Bible, but as a young hero, victor, defender of his hometown. In his sculpture, Donatello praises man as the ideal of a beautiful heroic personality that arose during the Renaissance. David is crowned with the winner's laurel wreath. Donatello was not afraid to introduce such a detail as a shepherd's hat - a sign of its simple origin. In the Middle Ages, the church forbade depicting a naked body, considering it a vessel of evil. Donatello was the first master to valiantly violate this prohibition. He asserts by this that the human body is beautiful. The statue of David is the first round sculpture of that era.

Another wonderful sculpture by Donatello is also known - a statue of a warrior. , the commander of Gattamelata. It was the first equestrian monument of the Renaissance. Created 500 years ago, this monument still stands on a high pedestal, decorating a square in the city of Padua. For the first time in sculpture, not a god, not a saint, not a noble and rich man, but a noble, brave and formidable warrior with a great soul, who deserved glory for great deeds, was immortalized in sculpture. Dressed in antique armor, Gattemelata (this is his nickname meaning "spotted cat") sits on a mighty horse in a calm, stately pose. The features of the warrior's face emphasize a decisive, firm character.

Andrea Verrocchio (1436 -1488)

The most famous student of Donatello, who created the famous equestrian monument to the Condottiere Colleoni, which was erected in Venice on the square near the Church of San Giovanni. The main thing that strikes in the monument is the joint energetic movement of the horse and rider. The horse, as it were, rushes out of the marble pedestal, on which the monument is erected. Colleoni, standing up on the stirrups, stretched out, head raised high, peers into the distance. There was a grimace of anger and tension on his face. In his pose, one can feel a great will, his face resembles a bird of prey. The image is filled with indestructible strength, energy, harsh imperiousness.

Early Renaissance painting

The Renaissance also renewed the art of painting. The painters learned how to correctly convey space, light and shadow, natural postures, and various human feelings. It was the early Renaissance that was the time for the accumulation of these knowledge and skills. Pictures of that time are imbued with light and high spirits. The background is often painted in light colors, while buildings and natural motifs are outlined with sharp lines, pure colors prevail. With naive diligence, all the details of the event are depicted, the characters are most often lined up and separated from the background by clear contours.

The painting of the early Renaissance only strived for perfection, however, thanks to its sincerity, it touches the soul of the viewer.

Tommaso di Giovanni di Simone Cassai Guidi, known as Masaccio (1401 - 1428)

He is considered a follower of Giotto and the first master of painting of the early Renaissance. Masaccio lived only 28 years, but for his short life left a mark in art that can hardly be overestimated. He managed to complete the revolutionary transformations begun by Giotto in painting. His painting is distinguished by a dark and deep color. The people in Masaccio's frescoes are much more dense and powerful than in the paintings of the Gothic period.

Masaccio was the first to correctly position objects in space, taking into account perspective; he began to depict people according to the laws of anatomy.

He knew how to connect figures and a landscape into a single action, dramatically and at the same time it is quite natural to convey the life of nature and people - and this is the great merit of the painter.

This is one of the few easel works Masaccio commissioned in 1426 for the chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Pisa.

Madonna sits on a throne, built strictly according to the laws of Giotto's perspective. Her figure is painted with confident and clear strokes, which gives the impression of a sculptural dimension. Her face is calm and sad, her detached gaze is directed nowhere. Wrapped in a dark blue cloak, the Virgin Mary holds in her arms the Infant, whose golden figure stands out sharply against a dark background. The deep folds of the cloak allow the artist to play with chiaroscuro, which also creates a special visual effect. The baby eats black grapes - a symbol of the sacrament. Flawlessly painted angels (the artist knew perfectly well the human anatomy), surrounding the Madonna, give the picture an additional emotional sound.

The only panel painted by Masaccio for a two-sided triptych. After early death The rest of the work commissioned by Pope Martin V for the Church of Santa Maria in Rome was completed by the painter Masolino. Shown here are two austere, monumental figures of saints dressed in red. Jerome holds open book and a model of a basilica with a lion at his feet. John the Baptist is depicted in his usual form: he is barefoot and holds a cross in his hand. Both figures are striking with anatomical precision of the image and an almost sculptural sense of volume.

Interest in man, admiration for his beauty were so great in the Renaissance that this led to the emergence of a new genre in painting - the genre of portrait.

Pinturicchio (variant of Pinturicchio) (1454 - 1513) (Bernardino di Betto di Biagio)

Born in Perugia, Italy. For some time he painted miniatures, helped Pietro Perugino decorate with frescoes Sistine Chapel in Rome. Gained experience in the most complicated form decorative and monumental wall painting. Within a few years, Pinturicchio became an independent monumental artist. He worked on frescoes in the Borgia apartments in the Vatican. He made murals in the library of the cathedral in Siena.

The artist not only conveys portrait resemblance, but seeks to reveal the inner state of a person. Before us is a teenage boy dressed in the strict dress of a city dweller Pink colour, on the head is a small blue cap. Brown hair goes down to the shoulders, framing a gentle face, the attentive gaze of brown eyes is pensive, a little anxious. Behind the boy is an Umbrian landscape with slender trees, a silvery river, a sky turning pink on the horizon. The spring tenderness of nature, as an echo of the character of the hero, is in harmony with the poetry and charm of the hero.

The image of the boy is given in the foreground, is large and occupies almost the entire plane of the picture, and the landscape is painted in the background and is very small. This creates the impression of the significance of man, his dominance over the surrounding nature, asserts that man is the most beautiful creation on earth.

Shown here is the ceremonial departure of Cardinal Capranic to Basel Cathedral, which lasted almost 18 years, from 1431 to 1449, first in Basel and then in Lausanne. Young Piccolomini was also in the cardinal's retinue. In a graceful frame of a semicircular arch, a group of horsemen is represented, accompanied by pages and servants. The event is not as real and reliable as it is chivalrously refined, almost fantastic. In the foreground, a handsome rider on a white horse, in a luxurious dress and hat, turning his head, looks at the viewer - this is Aeneas Silvio. The artist paints with pleasure rich clothes, beautiful horses in velvet blankets. The elongated proportions of the figures, slightly mannered movements, slight tilts of the head are close to the court ideal. The life of Pope Pius II was full of bright events, and Pinturicchio told about the meetings of the pope with the king of Scotland, with the emperor Frederick III.

Filippo Lippi (1406 - 1469)

There were legends about Lippi's life. He was a monk himself, but left the monastery, became a wandering artist, kidnapped a nun from the monastery and died, poisoned by the relatives of a young woman, whom he fell in love with already at an advanced age.

He painted images of the Madonna and Child, filled with living human feeling and experiences. In his paintings, he depicted many details: household items, the environment, so his religious subjects were similar to secular paintings.

Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449 - 1494)

He painted not only religious subjects, but also scenes from the life of the Florentine nobility, their wealth and luxury, portraits of noble people.

Before us is the wife of a wealthy Florentine, a friend of the artist. In this not very beautiful, luxuriously dressed young woman, the artist expressed calmness, a moment of stillness and silence. The expression on the woman's face is cold, indifferent to everything, it seems that she foresees her imminent demise: soon after painting the portrait, she will die. The woman is depicted in profile, which is typical for many portraits of that time.

Piero della Francesca (1415/1416 - 1492)

One of the most significant names in Italian painting 15th century. He completed numerous transformations in the methods of constructing the perspective of the pictorial space.

The painting was painted on a poplar board with egg tempera - obviously, by this time the artist had not yet mastered the secrets oil painting, in the technique of which his later works will be written.

The artist captured the appearance of the mystery of the Holy Trinity at the moment of the Baptism of Christ. The white dove, spreading its wings over the head of Christ, symbolizes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Savior. The figures of Christ, John the Baptist and the angels standing next to them are painted in a restrained color scheme.
His frescoes are solemn, sublime and stately. Francesca believed in the high destiny of man and in his works people always do wonderful things. He used subtle, delicate color transitions. Francesca was the first to write in the open air (in the air).