Worksheet #20
15th Century Italian: Early Renaissance
Florence is the intellectual and artistic capital of southern Europe through this 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 15th 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 in Florence postured 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?
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 Using one of the Roman portraits (10-7, 10-35, 10-69) compare the classical influence on Donatello’s Prophet “Zuccone,” (21-8).
The International Style was held on to by many artists and patrons because of the lavish qualities. Gentile da Fabriano was an artist after the International Style.
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 Tribute Money, (21-10).
v What artist is referred to in describing the figures of Tribute Money?
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 the design.
v How did Brunelleschi modify the cruciform and basilica plan for his church, Santo Spirito?
Donatello – teacher
v What is rustication? See comparison with Roman style (10-32)
Michelozzio di Bartolommeo, selected as the designer of the Medici-Riccardi Palazzo in Florence by Cosimo de Medici, uses a strong, dramatic cornice on the top of the building. He also designs a cortile (internal courtyard) using much of Brunelleschi’s ideas for the arched arcade. Compare the cornice with 10-30 and describe the internal courtyard.
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?
v The work of Pollaiuolo is closely related in intent stylistically with the work of Verrocchio. Using Hercules and Anetaeus (21-25), describe how this statement might be true.
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.