Worksheet #18

15^th Century Italian: Early Renaissance

Florence is the intellectual and artistic capital of southern Europe through the 15th century.  Private individuals/families become the leading patrons of the Italian Renaissance.  The Medici family became the “discreet dictators” of Florence and through the generations of Giovanni, Cosimo and Lorenzo de Medici, supported sculptors, artists, architects, a library, an academy as well as festivals and pageants for the city.  The Medici can be said to have endowed the Renaissance.
The spread of humanism had a greater impact on Italy as the 15^th century progressed. 

Explain the components of humanism and give examples of this impact.

The early Renaissance saw promotion of competitions.  One such competition for the carving of the east doors of the Baptistery, San Giovanni, in Florence brought Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi against each other. 

v     Whose design was selected and why?

The emergence of sculpture from the architectural matrix is evident in the work of Nanni DiBanco, Quattro Santi Coronati (Four Crowned Saints), (21-7). 

v     What are the compositional qualities described by Gardner?

Contemporaries

                                            Filippo Brunelleschi                           Nanni Di Banco                        Donatello

                                                               1377-1446                                                         1380-1421                                        1386-1466

            Donatello’s work is representative of the highest achievement in personal sculptural techniques for this period.  All of the works described and represented show a combination of classical reflection and individual craftsmanship.

v     Discuss the classical influence on Donatello’s Prophet “Zuccone,” (21-8).

Masaccio moves farther ahead of his contemporaries in his use of light in his artwork.  Although likened to Giotto in the structure of the figures, Masaccio creates dramatic use of light called chiaroscuro.

v     Explain how he does this in the Tribute Money, (21-10). 

v     What is aerial (atmospheric) perspective? Where and how does Masaccio use it? 

• What are the two principle Renaissance interests embodied in Masaccio’s painting Holy Trinity? Explain.

In architecture, much of the work involved completion of previously begun works or the design of buildings with classical origins.  Brunelleschi completed the Dome for the Florence Cathedral by discarding some traditional building materials as well as using innovative designs.

v     Explain his design.

v     How did Brunelleschi modify the cruciform and basilica plan for his church, Santo Spirito?

Brunelleschi – contemporary                                   Student – Michelozzio di Bartolommeo

Donatello – teacher

Michelozzio di Bartolommeo, selected as the designer of the Medici-Riccardi Palazzo in Florence by Cosimo de Medici. Describe his design and the elements from the past that may have influenced to design.

v   Donatello creates the first nude statue seen in centuries.  Discuss the statue as subject and symbol.

v   In comparing similar statues of David by Donatello and Verrocchio, what are the significant differences? 

Discussion Question

v     Botticelli, also patronized by the Medicis, painted in a decorative style as in the work The Birth of Venus (21-27).  This work ignores scientific discoveries in solidity and anatomy.

          Explain.