Renaissance Art

By: Abhishek Garg

 Table of Contents

Introduction...…………………………………………………………….Page Three

Chapter I: The Renaissance…………………………………………….....Page Four

Chapter II: Painting…………………………………………………........Page Nine

Chapter III: In the Workshop……………………………………….….Page Sixteen

Chapter IV: Essential Artists………………………………………....Page Nineteen

Chapter V: Leonardo da Vinci………………………………….…Page

Twenty-Five

Chapter VI: The Renaissance’s Legacy……………………….......Page Thirty-Four

Conclusion……………………………………………………......Page Thirty-Eight

Bibliography……………………………………………………,,,,Page Thirty-Nine

Image Citations……………………………………………………..Page Forty-One

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 Introduction

Throughout my life I have been passionately invested in art. I have

always wanted to learn how we got to where we are today. The Renaissance has
greatly influenced modern culture and delivered some of the most prominent works
in history. The stylized differences that we incorporate as art progresses piques my
interest in a myriad of ways. Renaissance works incorporate a natural, calm beauty,
which greatly influences my art and modern works.
When we think of the Renaissance we think of classical artists such as
Michelangelo. But there is much more to this period then we think. So how has
this time period influenced what we create today? How did it improve society
then? In only the span of 300 years, society evolved in a plethora of ways ranging
from literature to art to science. Individuals were presented the freedom to express
their own views compared to traditional beliefs. Specific artists were able to
present their culture realistically. When we analyze art from this period we
understand how important the pieces were to culture. Also, understanding how
pieces from this time influenced other subjects, such as medicine, is fascinating.
This complex period greatly inspires how we currently think.
The Renaissance has made an auspicious impact on modern art and study of
anatomy. People in the Renaissance were able to spread their knowledge of
philosophy and the fine arts throughout Europe in just a few decades. Artists such
as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni had an
enormous impact on our perception of the human body. Overall, Renaissance
artists have been inspiring artists and carving the art world for centuries.

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 Chapter I: The Renaissance

Renaissance translates to “an act of rebirth.” The Renaissance fully spread

throughout Europe by 1400 A.D. The growth began in the late 1300s A.D, and
lasted until 1600 A.D. Beginning in Florence, Italy, it is known as “the renewal in
classical antiquity,” which is referred to as the return of interest in classical Greek
ways of thinking. Creative minds revisited beliefs from Ancient Greece, and
explored its history. The Renaissance provided Italy with many advancements.
There are numerous popular views regarding the beginning of the
Renaissance. Certain experts believe that Giotto Di Bondone (1267-1337) was the
first Renaissance artist. However, this is challenged by the popular belief that this
artistic period began in 1400 when there was an explosion in learning, taking place
in Florence. Nevertheless, Giotto was the first artist to include anatomical
principles in his own art. His main inspiration was his teacher Cimabue. Due to his
short lifetime, barely any of his pieces have been documented. Whether or not he
was the first Renaissance artist, those paintings prove that Giotto Di Bondone was
extremely influential and recognized as the Father of European Painting.
After the fall of the Roman Empire a 900 year period known as the Middle
ages or the Dark Ages began, and was overlapped by the Renaissance. During that
period, the bubonic plague, commonly known as the Blackdeath, and countless
other dreadful diseases swept throughout Europe. Many classical leaders dismissed
the ideology of the Middle Ages. Artists in the Middle Ages strove to send
messages through their works, rather than incorporating realistic elements. In
contrast, most art in the Renaissance included realism and dynamic poses. Artists
believed that including realism in their art would make it more relatable. Historians

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believe that such gruesome depictions of death and disease were greatly
exaggerated. The Renaissance and Middle Ages forced many different viewpoints,
but actions were based on similar beliefs.
The Medicis were amongst the richest families in Florence and perhaps in all
of Italy. Starting from nothing, they were able to become
an amazing and powerful family. The Medicis originated
as a family of peasants immigrating from the Tuscan
Village of Cafaggiolo. Through banking and commerce,
the Medicis obtained their great wealth. Year after year,
the family's popularity and influence spread further
through Europe at amazing rates. An example was the
banker Giovanni de’ Medici, who made unimaginable
amounts of money through banking.
Through hard work and perseverance, the Medici family was able to
constantly expand and gain more power. Also, to further increase their popularity,
other branches of the family tree were able to take on different roles in society,
such as monarchs and popes. The Medicis were able to contribute countless factors
to the Renaissance, helping it to thrive.
The beginning of the Medici’s dynasty in Florence was in 1434. Giovonni’s
son Cosimo de’ Medici was the first of the Medicis to win extreme fame, as well as
the first to have power over Florence. Cosimo ended up governing Florence for the
rest of his life, until 1464, when his son Piero di Cosimo de’ Medici began his
reign. His improvement in battle allowed him to spread his family's fame.
Giovanni de’ Medici’s grandson Lorenzo de’ Medici had an especially successful

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term as a ruler. He was in fact so popular, that he even adopted the name “Lorenzo
the Magnificent.” Under Lorenzo’s rule Florence flourished in every way.
However, soon after their rule began, The Medici dynasty began engaging in
enormous conflicts with the Florentine authorities. These extreme arguments began
in the early 1500’s. However in the 1530s, the already intense arguments became
much more extreme. Catherine de’ Medici was seized from her parents Lorenzo
de’ Medici and ​Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne. Soon after, her distressed
parents received the threat that her kidnappers would hang Catherine’s head on the
famous wall of Florence if her parents did not surrender. Finally, in the late 1530’s,
the Medici’s emerged victorious and Catherine was freed, which made her an icon.
Though the Medicis faced many difficulties, they were eventually able to
overcome them.
The Medicis invested great sums in the arts. During Cosimo’s reign over
Florence, money was donated to the arts. Cosimo also inaugurated an enormous
museum containing a myriad of Renaissance pieces; his descendants have added
on to the collection. As a poet, Lorenzo de’ Medici
carried on his family’s art patronage, and mainly
supported well-known artists such as Raphael or
Michelangelo. For unknown reasons, the Medicis
rarely commissioned Leonardo da Vinci. Overall, with
the Medici’s support, art during the Renaissance was
able to flourish.
Florence (or Firenze) was perhaps one of the
richest and busiest cities in Italy, during the
Renaissance. It is split by the Arno River in central Italy. The metropolis is about

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40 square miles in surface area. Most of the famous sights are situated on the right
bank of the Arno. Sculpted by Michelangelo, ​David​ is perhaps one of Florence’s
most famous masterpieces, and represents the city.
As the Renaissance progressed Florence’s population increased. By the
height of the Renaissance, this city’s population reached 70,000. To be accepted as
a legal citizen, one would be required to join a guild. A guild was a mutual
association, which revolved around one’s interest in a particular occupation.
Finally, once an individual became a citizen, they were able to run for a leadership
role, whether or not they were born in Florence. Many famous Renaissance minds
made their homes here. Florentines generally achieved fame in areas such as art,
literature, architecture, astronomy, and politics. Florence was home to a
wide-variety of people.
Throughout the Renaissance, guilds grew in popularity. Guilds were created
in the 11th century and flourished until the 16th century. They were extremely
useful in the economy, and social relationships with other parts of Italy. As the
guilds began gaining power, they were able to legislate certain economic measures.
Craft guilds and merchant guilds soon rose into power. Along with the sign of
power and dignity, the level of a guild also proved their social placement. In the
17th century, during the reformation of the government, guilds slowly ceased, and
lost power.
Florence was one of the most industrial Italian cities. Due to success in
trading and handicrafts, Florence’s economy thrived. Banking and networking
through merchants, helped also operate the financial system. Florines were the
Florentine currency, and usually had lilies hand stamped onto them. Booths known
as prestos were commonly scattered throughout Florence. Prestos were useful for

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travelers, as one could exchange specific objects for local currency. Due to their
thriving clothing companies, this metropolitan area’s economy prospered.
Unfortunately, along with the recent advancements in Italy, a period of
prolonged wars between Italy and France began. In September 1494 Charles VIII
crossed over from France to Italy, with great military force. This was known as the
Great Italian War of 1494, and was also the beginning of the Italian Wars, due to
unbalanced power between the two countries. The Florentines surrendered and
allowed France to transition Florence into a Republic. Finally in 1497, French
troops were forced out of Italy, however, their impact lingered.

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 Chapter II: Painting

Painting on panels is a primordial form of art. This art goes back to Ancient
Egypt, and has been performed since the 12th century B.C. Small scale paintings
and murals were mainly practiced in Ancient Greece and Rome until the early 13th
century B.C. After the Renaissance began, painting panels became extremely
common, were included in many
architectural designs, and there were
numerous books explaining the art.
Painting panels and murals were very
popular during the Renaissance.
Before the artists began painting, a
team of apprentices would have to
prepare the timber. First the wooden
slabs were constructed into a specific
form. Only the middle portion of the
bark was used, and one had to be
especially careful when handling them.
Then, the wood was boiled to eliminate
the resin and gum. Next, it was cleaned
and then sanded down to make it
smooth. Any gaps in the wood were then filled with a combination of glue and
sawdust. A layer of paint and oil blended together was applied to the wood. That
was so the boards were waterproof and smoother. Finally, the panel was laid down
flat, ready for the painting process

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 The first step in the painting process was sizing all parts of the panel. Size
was a tacky mixture of glue and white paint. First, three layers of this glue mixture
were applied to the surface; this application controlled the paint so it would not
drip into wood fibers supporting the wood. It also assisted in decreasing the
absorbance rate, and waterproofing the timber. After those layers of glue dried,
small portions of canvas were applied onto the timber. Even though it was a quick
process, sizing was an extremely essential step.
Patiently waiting before each step and allowing each layer of glue, plaster,
or any other substance to dry was paramount. To ensure the panel could properly
dry, it was generally preferred to work in a dry workplace environment with plenty
of fresh air. If the painting had not been properly dried, then each layer would mix
together, and it would make the painting process much harder.
Once the process of sizing had been completed, the gesso was applied.
Gesso is a combination of plaster, chalk, and gypsum,which was used as a ground
for the oil paint. Generally gesso was only utilized on leveled surfaces such as
timber, plaster, and canvas. Two layers of gesso could only be applied once the
first layer of fabric had dried. Spread by hand, the first layer was coarse. Finally
the second layer, which was finer and smoother, was carefully applied with a
brush. To give that layer a more concentrated appearance, it was lightly scratched
with a knife. After, the gesso would achieve a lightly polished texture. Gesso was
essential because it provided the surface with a slightly textured surface, so the
paint did not seep into the wood.
Artists began sketching once the layers of gesso dried. The designer's sketch
was done by a stick of charcoal. Then, it was lined using a brush covered in diluted
ink. Further diluted at various levels, the shadows were more realistic.With a small

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blade, grooves were created along the outline, which indicated portions that would
be painted. In summary, sketching was the initial step in the actual painting
process.
Next, the bole was applied to specific parts of the sketch. Bole was a
category of clay consisting of iron oxide, which provided it with a slight red hue.
Egg whites were combined with the mixture, acting as a binder. The areas in which
the bole was to be applied were persistently washed with water. However, one had
to be extremely cautious so areas that would be painted were not washed. Finally,
the bole was applied which formed a base for the next step. This is known as
guilding.
The last step before the final painting was known as guilding. An animal
tooth was used to polish areas that had been varnished with bole. An apprentice or
the actual artist would then apply sheets of gold or silver leaf. To coat the painting
with the especially thin sheets of gold, tweezers were used to lift the leaf. One had
to be extremely careful when positioning the metal. Finally, wads of cotton were
used to gently press the pieces. Gold and silver leaf were commonly used
throughout Renaissance and Medieval art. During the Renaissance artists were able
to improve their art process, and this also made their paintings better.
As the Renaissance progressed, principles in various fields were being
discovered. Since anatomy became a subject of extreme interest, many artists
began to explore the natural expressions of humanity. Towards the birth of the
Renaissance, certain religious leaders restricted studying anatomy; however, as
more facts about the human body and science in general were being uncovered the
number of these limitations reduced. Many artists were greatly interested in

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perfecting the human form. Finally, designers were able to create diagrams, which
were similar to the actual human figure.
Artists were generally the most invested in human anatomy. Artists like
Leonardo da’ Vinci and Michelangelo were extremely intrigued by the human
body, and wanted the ability to draw it realistically. Doctors would generally allow
artists to sit in during surgery for free. To receive a physician’s permission to sit in
during surgeries artists
were required to draw
parts from the patient's
body for the doctors to
examine. Some of the
most popular artists even
conducted their own
dissections on human
corpses and made their
own discoveries about
the human form. Most masters focused on learning about the exterior of the body.
Certain individuals however, would peel off layers of the epidermis in order to
view the muscles, bones, and internal organs. Historians believe that Leonardo da’
Vinci conducted the first accurate dissection of the human fetus. In summary, the
study of anatomy led to incredibly accurate sculptures and paintings.
A common question asked by art viewers is, “Why are babies from medieval
art (500 A.D -1500 A.D) so hideous?” One of the main reasons was because most
of the paintings were depictions of Jesus, so artists strived to give him certain adult
qualities. Adult Jesus theories also influenced the way that other children were

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portrayed in paintings. The Homunculus, which literally means little man, deeply
affected the way artists painted infants.These scary pictures make us ponder how
the artists went from strict adult babies to adorable Renaissance babies.
As the Renaissance began, baby portraiture changed, and they became as
cute and chubby as they were meant to be. As Florence’s economy improved, and
patrons were able to afford portraits of their relatives, artists had more practice
with drawing proportions accurately. As portraiture increased in popularity,
patrons who were purchasing paintings of their children did not want their babies
resembling small homunculi. Renaissance idealism also changed the style of
painting. During the Renaissance, there was a new attraction in closely watching
nature and trying to portray things as they were actually seen. Opinions on babies
also changed from small adults to innocent people. For many reasons, Renaissance
artists were able to change how children were portrayed for the rest of history.
The Birth of Venus​ painted by Sandro Boticelli, was created in 1484 during
the early years of the Renaissance. This masterpiece depicts the Roman goddess of
beauty and attraction, Venus. The
painting also portrays the birth of
love itself. The goddess has
recently traveled to shore on a
huge seashell surrounded by
other mythological figures. To
her right the god of the west
winds known as Zephyrs blows
Venus to shore. Holding Zephyrus is a mythical nymph who is known as Chloris.
On her left Venus is being served by Pomona, the goddess of spring, who is also

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known as the Hour. Overall, the Birth of Venus is one of the most beautiful pieces
of art from Italy, and now hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
The Scuola di Atene​ or the ​School of Athens​ is one out of numerous murals
painted on the walls of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. ​The School of Athens
by Raphael was made from 1509-1511. This painting portrays a gathering of a
myriad of classical greek
philosophers including Plato and
Aristotle as the main subjects of
the painting. Many art viewers
even suggest that this piece
consists of nearly every Greek
philosopher, but we cannot
determine this because Raphael
never left any sort of description
of his painting. The balance of the composition in the piece relates to the new style
typical to the Renaissance.
Another technique that was influenced by anatomy was sculpting. ​David, t​ he
Italian marble sculpture, was executed from 1501-1504, and was sculpted by the
Florentine artist, Michelangelo. Originally, this sculpture was commissioned as
decoration for one of the supports for the Cathedral of Florence. However, when
the piece was completed, government officials decided to transfer it to the face of
the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo sculpted ​David ​out of a 40 year old, sun stored
block that other artists had tried to chisel. Countless individuals believed that it was
impossible to form a statue with that block of marble. While creating
Michelangelo simplified the geometry of the human body, therefore showing signs

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of classical antiquity. ​David ​represents Florence’s Republic and is now located in
the Academia, a university for the arts in Italy. It continues as “the prime
statement of the Renaissance ideal of perfect humanity.”

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 Chapter III: In the Workshop

Apprenticeship was common in the Renaissance and mainly funded by

guilds. To become an artist and learn the art, a young soon to be artist would be
accepted into an artist’s workshop as an apprentice. Assistants performed many
tasks without pay. An average training could last as long as thirteen years, however
talented individuals might stay for a briefer period of time. Certain people might
never even complete their training and carry on to be a laborer. A laborer was
similar to an apprentice however they were paid to perform minute tasks in the
master’s workshop. Not only was apprenticeship common, but all famous artists
started as one.
Before one actually learned painting, there were numerous other steps. The
workshop was where a soon to be artist would make his or her home. In exchange
for shelter, a new recruit would be required to care for the master’s bedroom
during the morning. He was then transferred to the workshop where he learned to
prepare canvases, paints, and other necessities. Next were the skills of drawing
from life with graphite. Through drawing one was able to learn how to map out his
works, especially because the Renaissance was deeply influenced by realism.
Finally, an apprentice would learn the art of painting. The word, “masterpiece”
came from this time period; once one was able to create a piece with the master’s
approval, the young artist was able to graduate. By the end of one’s apprenticeship
that individual would have experience in a myriad of techniques such as painting,
sculpting, and designing furniture. Overall, there were numerous steps to being an
apprentice, which is why it normally took such a long time to complete.

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 Most colors consisted of a common formula. Apprentices were creative and
skillful when making pigments. Colors were usually created by crushing pigment
with a mortar and pestle, and then the remaining powder was mixed with a binder
such as egg yolks. Certain substances that were used to make colors were:
buckthorn berries, sinoper, azurite, verdaccio, cinabrese, and cochineal beetles. For
example, buckthorn berries were used to make the delicate shade of yellow lake.
Most paints were either
made by minerals from
certain stones or soil.
Colors like verdigris even
contained metals such as
lead or copper, some of
which were dangerous but
also made the drying of the
paint faster. The rich and
vibrant shade of blue ultramarine was very common, however this color was
extremely expensive as Lapis Lazuli had to be imported from Afghanistan. A less
expensive blue was created using azurite. There were various ways to make certain
colors and each required extreme strategy.
Some specific color-making processes were different from the traditional
way of making pigments, such as Tyrian Purple. During the Renaissance, Tyrian
Purple symbolized royalty. However, it was extremely expensive because it came
from sea snails. First one would collect thousands of marine snail shells, as each
snail contained a concentrated amount of pigment. Then the pigment was boiled
for an extended period of time, which formed a foul smell. The snails themselves

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are not purple, but rather when the mix of oxygen and a toxic mucus released by
the snail occured, it became purple. That unappealing formula for making Tyrian
lasted throughout the Renaissance, and until 1856 when chemist William Perkin
stumbled upon a formula for making artificial purple. In conclusion, different
procedures were used for specific hues, and many of them were more time
consuming.
After the pigment obtained was crushed, the pigment and what was known
as a binder were mixed together until the two factors were completely dissolved.
Binding mediums are certain oils that are mixed to allow the mixture to maintain
its shape and keep it smooth. The mix of the drying oils and pigment caused a
chemical reaction, resulting in a solidified top layer. Linseed oil was commonly
used as a binder, however walnut oil and egg tempera were also used. Various
binding mediums were required for different drying times and textures. Sometimes
one had to be selective when deciding which oils to incorporate in the piece.
Binding oils were essential to successfully make paints.
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry is a scientific method used when
identifying paintings. It chemically detects what binding mediums in certain
paintings were used. First, a sample from the actual painting is placed in a liquid
mixture, which is then put in a stream of gas, generally helium. Next, it is added to
a warmed container where the components are separated. Finally these particles are
closely observed and analyzed in order to fully recognize what the binding medium
is. Though Gas Chromatography Mass Spectronomy is a tedious process it is
useful when analyzing paintings and their components.

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 Chapter IV: Essential Artists

Donatello was formally addressed as Donato di Betto Niccol​ó​ Bardi. His

immediate family originally gave him his nickname, Donatello. He was born in
1386 in Florence, Italy, however the exact date is unknown. ​When Donatello
reached his early teens he was sent to Lorenzo Ghiberti’s workshop as an
apprentice; ​Donatello was an amazing, Italian sculptor that inspired numerous
artists after him.
Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi was a member of a financially successful
family known as the Bardis. Their economic control began in 1250 A.D and finally
ended in 1345 A.D. Despite numerous losses in the 1340s this family was able to
briefly regain power. During their rule, the Bardis gave military aid to Italy. For
example, they assisted Florence in the war against their enemy, the city of Lucca,
which caused bankruptcy. Finally, due to the bankruptcy, the Bardi family’s reign
ceased.
Although much is known about his career, private life information remains
limited. He never got married, and it is believed that he preferred a simple lifestyle.
Clients often complained that Donatello was hard to work with when
circumstances were controlled by guild leaders. Although he was friends with
many humanists, the artist himself was not culturally educated. Studies have also
shown that Donatello had a very practical personality. Overall, Donatello is
believed to have been a very simplistic person.
​ hat
One of his oldest works is his prominent marble sculpture of ​David. T
sculpture was first carved in 1408, and reworked in 1416. Originally, the piece was
created to embellish a buttress in the Cathedral, but when finished, in 1414, it was

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displayed in the Palazzo. Dynamic poses and youthful spirit incorporated, the
figure has a graceful feeling to it. The figure follows a gothic style, with long, fluid
graceful lines and an expressionless face. Donatello’s ​David​ also includes
numerous signs of Ghiberti’s style; he was greatly influenced by his master.
During his career, Donatello sculpted two more ​Davids. ​Donatello’s second bronze
David created in 1430, is perhaps his most famous and devoid of surroundings.
Donatello’s original ​David​ was very inspirational, and a great boost to his career.
​Donato di Betto Niccol​ó​ Bardi rapidly improved, and strove to create works
with more dynamic and lifelike poses. His later works showed emotional style and
innovative techniques. Two examples of the more
recent advancement were his enormous marble
sculpture ​St. Mark​ and ​St. John the Evangelist.​ ​St.
Mark​ was created in 1411 and completed in 1413,
and it now stands in an alcove on the outside of
Orsanmichele. Currently, ​St. John the Evangelist
stands in the Museo dell’Opera, and was
completed in 1415. Donatello’s ​Gattamelata
displays Erasmo a ​condottiere riding a horse.
Generally only kings were portrayed like that.
These towering figures established the artist’s
reputation and included more classical techniques.
In summary, Donatello inspired many artists after
him, partially because of these pieces. Donatello
died on December 13, 1466.

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 Donatello was skilled in countless mediums. He worked with bronze, stone,
wood, clay, stucco, and wax. A majority of his works were in the round, but he
also developed a new, very shallow type of “bas relief” for smaller works.
Raphael was born in a beautiful city known as Urbino, on April 6, 1483. His
full Italian name was Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. ​ His father’s name was Giovanni
Santi, who according to a 16th century painter and writer was an artist “of no great
merit.” However, Giovonni was very cultural and was constantly studying artistic
advancements and ideas. His father helped introduce Raphael to the art of painting
techniques, as he was a painter himself. Unfortunately, Raphael’s mother, ​Magia di
Battista Ciarla, passed ​away in 1941. A few years later, in 1944, ​Giovanni died,
however before his death he made sure to teach his 11 year-old son about
humanistic philosophy. He took over his father's workshop and eventually became
known as one of the finest painters in town.
Urbino was an artistic city located atop a hill in central Italy. The Italian
name for this city is Urbium Hortense. In the 12th century power was surrendered
to the noble Montefeltro family. Under Federico da Montefeltro’s (A.D 1444-A.D
1482) reign Urbino reached its acme in art and literature. Federico welcomed many
talented individuals such as the architect Donato Bramante, famous painter Piero
della Francesca, and the humanist designer Leon Battista Alberti. During Raphael’s
teenage years, patrons generally supported younger artists, and Raphael had
already begun displaying exceptional talent by age 17. Raphael like many other
famous artists was able to spread his fame, and display talent at a young age.
In his preteens, Raphael joined a workshop in Perugia. The great artist
Pietro Perugino was from Umbria, and accepted Raphael into his studio due to his
extreme talent. By age 19, the young artist had already been declared a master, and

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he was sent to assist in painting an altarpiece, which was to be finished by
September 13, 1502. Since Raphael had proven himself as a master in between, he
started having more important commissions, such as the ​Coronation of the Virgin
for the Oddi Chapel. Overall, when Raffaello Sanzio was accepted into the
workshop he received a vast knowledge of art.
In addition to this extensive knowledge of art, Pietro’s art also had an
enormous influence on Raphael’s style. Pietro had a sweet and intricate style,
which we can see signs of in Raphael’s
art. Raphael’s first major work, ​The
Marriage of the Virgin (​ 1504), was
greatly influenced by ​The Giving of Keys
to St. Peter​ (1481-82) for the Sistine
Chapel. Perugino’s emphasis on
perspective and the usual intricate
composition of his calm and beautiful
figures show the great influence.
However, we can still see a difference in
the paintings, with Raphael’s figures
having more specific features and the purity of the figures greatly exceeding
Pietro’s. After the ​Marriage of the Virgin​, Raphael created a series of three
paintings: ​Vision of a Knight, Three Graces, and St. Michael.​ These pieces are
extraordinary examples of narrative paintings, displaying youthful beauty and
maturity and signs of controlled style. He was especially well known for his
Madonnas. Raphael's great desire for knowledge of art led him to seek other

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models outside of Perugia. Pietro’s style greatly influenced Raphael’s however,
there were numerous noticable differences in each of the artist’s artworks.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on March 06, 1475
in Caprese, Italy. The Italian village of Caprese near another town called Arezzo
was where his father served in the court as a judge. The same year that he was born
the entire family moved to the large city of Florence. Francesca di Neri del Miniato
di Siena and Lodovico di Leonardo di Buonarroti Simoni were Michelangelo’s
parents. Michelangelo had a complicated childhood due to his mother's death and
their move to Florence.
During his childhood, Florence was one of the most developed and dynamic
cities in Italy and all of Europe. It was the center of trade with regions both
international and national and it had the most steady currency. The majestic
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore loomed over the busy city of Florence with its
red brick dome. When it was completed in 1436, it became the largest Italian
structure since Rome's Pantheon, which had been erected 12 centuries before the
construction. After 1450, partially due to the Medici’s rule, Florence became the
focal point of the Italian Renaissance. Florence was the center of trade during the
Renaissance especially during Michelangelo’s childhood.
Michelangelo had one of the most developed art styles of the artists in the
Italian Renaissance. Michelangelo’s art is most well-known for his treatment and
unique conveyance of the human form. He had the ability to present his figures
with a sense of great power, and beautiful expressiveness in their features. Raising
the sense of emotion in the viewer, allowed these figures to go beyond just
humans; the figures had an almost animated liveliness to them, but there was also

23
controlled sense. Michelangelo’s characters had skillful compositions and
portrayed great emotion, but never had an artificial feeling to them.
Despite his father’s objections, Michelangelo was sent to the most eminent
artist in Florence, Domenico Ghirlandaio. He actually joined at age 13, a relatively
late age for apprenticeship. Domenico Ghirlandaio accepted Michelangelo into his
workshop for a three-year term, however, he left after one year as he had nothing
left to learn. Experts have found several drawings and sketches from this stage that
were copies of figures from classical artists like Giotto and Masaccio. Copying
figures from paintings was common with apprentices in that stage. Showing signs
of talent from an early age, Michelangelo captured the attention of Lorenzo de
Medici, the heir of Florence. Lorenzo offered for Michelangelo to live in his house.
Due to his artistic skills, Michelangelo was considered talented from a young age.
An unfinished piece known as the ​Battle of Centaurs​ is Michelangelo’s
oldest surviving sculpture that has been discovered. It is a semi-completed piece
displaying the relief of a war that was made at age 16. The sculpture depicts signs
of development of his own style. Intricate and muscular details were included into
this piece, and the dynamic poses show the intensity of the war. The moment
portrays the battle of two soles and from the unfinished piece we cannot detect a
clear winner, but through mythological factors we can hypothesize that greater
good mindset prevails over the evil intelectual. The sculpture portrays both
political and artistic elements in it.
Michelangelo is now known as the most famous sculpture in European
history. He was extremely famous for his infinite creativity, which he also focused
on poetry, painting, and architecture. During ​1498–1499, Michelangelo sculpted
The Pieta​, which led to him receiving the title of leading sculptor. The problem

24
 was to create two figures
from the marble piece. Most
of his works were made with
marble. The Bacchus is
more complex, and can be
observed with textures from
all sides, not only the front.
He is exceptionally famous
for his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, which include the ​Creation of Adam,​ on the
vault, and the ​Last Judgement​, on one of the walls. The frescoes were considered
as one of his majestic achievements. A number of his works in painting, sculpture,
and architecture are amongst the most famous in existence. Designers utilized
architectural studies for centuries after his death. He died in A.D 1564 leaving an
indelible legacy behind and greatly influenced western art.

25
 Chapter V: Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in the western city, Tuscany.
Due to his home near the mountainous village Vinci, we now associate his name
with his location. Before he received this surname, Leonardo da Vinci was
commonly addressed with his first name. He worked as a draftsman, sculptor,
painter, architect, engineer, and inventor whose intellect perfectly fit into the
western humanist beliefs. Due to his location near Florence, he achieved great
fame throughout his career. Leonardo da Vinci was an extremely prominent figure
throughout the Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci’s parents had two extremely different personalities.
Essentially, his parents were never married to each other, which explains why they
did not live together. His mother, ​Caterina di Meo Lippi​, was a young, attractive
woman who originated from a poor family. Catrina had custody of Ledonardo Da
Vinci until he was two years old then he was taken to his father. Leonardo’s father,
Ser Piero da Vinci, was an ambitious young man, who came from a wealthy
family. From the time of Leonardo’s birth Ser Piero worked as an attorney. As part
of his job Ser Piero would frequently travel on business trips throughout Europe.
However, after a few years of caring for Leonardo da Vinci, Ser Piero met a young
and affluent woman named Albiera di Giovonni Amadori and they settled in
Florence. Five years old and lonely, Leonardo was again moved, this time to his
grandparent’s estate. He had a very complicated childhood, partially due to his
constant relocations.

26
 Leonardo greatly enjoyed living at his father’s family’s house. Their estate
was located in the small town of Vinci. Leonardo had an uncle who was 16 years
older than him, named Francesco, who Leonardo loved dearly and was actually his
favorite family member. Even though his uncle was young, he still ran the fields
and the family estate. The family grew crops such as grapes, olives, grapes, and
wheat, which Francesco oversaw. At age 14 Leonardo’s grandfather died and
Francesco married; once again Leonardo was moved to Florence. Francesco played
a huge role in Leonardo’s life, and he taught him many lessons relating to nature.
As a child, Leonardo da Vinci believed that his uncle had unlimited knowledge,
and usually followed him. Francesco never got tired of Leonardo’s constant
questions, and in fact, loved discussing his knowledge with his nephew. Because of
Leonardo’s uncle’s education, he knew each of the plants’ locations and how to
care for them. He also learned about meteorology and animals, along with their
habitats. Francesco, played an important role in Leonaro’s life and influenced him
to become a legend still regarded today.
Leonardo da Vinci had an incredibly difficult time accepting his new family,
and had barely been introduced to them. During the years Leonardo lived away
from his parents, his father’s wife, ​Albiera, passed away, and he soon remarried
another wealthy woman named Francesca di ser Giuliano Manfredini.
Occasionally, Leonardo would ride his grandfather’s horse and speed across
to his mother, Catrina’s, new house. After Leonardo was taken from her, she
married a local farmer known as Antonio di Piero Buti, and they started raising
crops outside of the town. Catrina’s new family consisted of one other son and four
daughters; even though this family was kind to Leonardo, he still felt excluded and
envious. To relieve himself of the pain from his broken family, he explored the

27
world around him and found everything interesting. He mainly studied animals and
would use chalk to make diagrams. In summary, Leonardo da Vinci usually used
biology and other subjects to occupy his mind on things besides his disjointed
family.
Due to his accepting grandparents and uncle, Leonardo became one of the
most prominent European figures in the Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci died in May 1519 near Amboise, France. At the time
Leonardo was the guest of King Francis I of France. Numerous paintings depict
Francis in the room mourning Leonardo’s death; in reality, he was not present. For
example, In Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’s painting, ​The Death of Leonardo da
Vinci​, Francis supports the sickly Leonardo in his hands and leans over him. The
sympathetic scene was painted approximately 300 years after Leonardo’s death.
Leonardo had an enormous influence on art during the Renaissance and many of
his pieces, even sketches, remain today.
The Mona Lisa​ is presumably one of the most prominent pieces that has ever
been made in the history of art. The piece is a 2' 6” X 1’ 9” oil painting done on
poplar wood. The masterpiece was created some time between 1503 and 1519,
during the period that Leonardo was settled in Florence. The ​Mona Lisa​ or
Madonna Lisa​, which meant Madam Lisa, is still considered one of the most
mysterious paintings, even though Leonardo left hundreds of notes. Her facial
features including her smile spark interest and her identity raises curiosity in
numerous art viewers. Her unique composition also adds to these factors. Currently
the Mona Lisa hangs in the Louvre, in Paris, and every year millions of tourists
come to visit the painting.

28
 The​ Mona​ ​Lisa​ has a balanced architecture even though there are countless
intricate details. The painting shows
a young woman sitting on a high
balcony over a complicated
landscape. Her chest, neck, face,
and hand are displayed with a soft
glow, however the shine on the
woman’s hand is increasingly
subtle. This faint light adds
dimension to the piece, as
highlights do with rounded objects
such as spheres and cylinders, and it
is included in her mysterious smile.
Behind the woman, the earth
retreats into icy mountains.
Numerous convolutions are shown
in the form of small passageways
and long bridges, each of which are deserted and makes the painting seem
deserted. Complex details, dramatic contrast of values, soft outlines, and a
graceful figure are each characteristics of Leonardo da Vinci’s style.
The ​Mona Lisa’s​ features are unique. With her slightly sharp chin, her
balanced feature, and heavy eyelids, she represents Leonardo’s views of
exceptional beauty. Unlike the heavily embellished women that were depicted by
contemporaries, in the painting Leonardo portrays the woman wearing simple
black clothing and a smooth veil. Another factor to the painting is her smile; is she

29
smiling or frowning? The Italians had a word that describes her smile: Sfumato
translates to “blurry, ambiguous, and up to the imagination”. With her individual
facial features the Mona Lisa is a unique piece of art.
Still today, the question remains “who is the ​Mona Lisa?”​ The most
popular theory for the Mona’s identity is that her name was Lisa del Giocondo, the
third wife of a Florentine silk merchant. At the time that the painting was created
she was 26 years old. One reason that she may have been wearing dull clothes was
because she had recently suffered a miscarrige, so she was wearing dark clothes in
grief. Others believe that due to her outstanding beauty she could not possibly be
real. However, others still insist that this is absolutely impossible because of her
individual features. Some say she is a portrait of Leonardo’s beautiful mother,
Catrina. Also, after an x-ray was completed on the piece, scientists concluded that
it might even be Leonardo as a female. Even though we can not, and might never,
identify the true identity of the Mona Lisa, she continues to capture the hearts of
many tourists.
It is said that Leonardo brought his masterpiece everywhere that he went.
The artist even brought his painting with him to Florence since it was incomplete
and he longed to finish it. However, if the theory is true, why didn’t he return it to
his patron when it was finished? Some theories include that the customer could
have passed away before he had a chance, or perhaps the customer did not want it.
Others believe that Leonardo could not bring himself to give it away. Leonardo
loved his painting and even after his own death, the customer never received the
Mona Lisa.
When Leonardo da Vinci passed away, the painting was gifted to the King
of France. In the late 1600’s, King Louis XIV arranged for the painting to be

30
transferred to his palace. However, the next king, King Louis XV, despised the
painting and sent it to an unimportant apartment in his castle. During the French
Revolution it was hidden by Napoleon. He was such a fan of it that he kept it in his
bedroom. Finally, the painting was kept in the Louvre.
Over a century ago the most famous art heist in history occurred: the theft
of the ​Mona Lisa​. In 1911, an Italian handy man named ​Vincenzo Peruggia ​stole
the painting; little did he know that this would give the ​Mona Lisa​ its extreme
fame. Immediately, pictures of this painting were stamped onto newspapers as the
national police constantly failed. Finally, in December 1913, Peruggis was caught
smuggling the painting to Italy. Currently, the ​Mona Lisa​ is located in the Louvre,
guarded by a myriad of guards and heavily secured by bullet proof glass. A certain
guard was even so attracted to her that he fell in love and would become jealous
when tourists admired her beauty. The painting is rarely sent to international
exhibits after the theft. In conclusion, the time of the missing painting was one of
the most stressful periods in art history, but it also allowed the painting to achieve
its great fame.
Leonardo was fascinated by the human body. Though the exact date is
unknown, it is said that his interest in anatomy began during his apprenticeship
with Master Verrocchio. During his first years Leonardo studied the muscular and
skeletal systems. Then he moved on to more specific areas of the body including
internal organs. Leonardo called the heart, lungs, and brain the “motors of life.”
After moving to Milan Leonardo began performing dissections of human corpses.
Generally, he would compare animal body parts to humans. From comparing a
senior’s veins to a child's he discovered arteriosclerosis, a building up of fat in the
veins. In total Leonardo claimed that he dissected 30 human bodies. The more that

31
Leonardo uncovered the further invested he became in the “man’s instrumental
figure.”
In 1478, Leonardo designed an underwater breathing system. The device
consisted of two tubes: one for breathing in, and the other for exhaling. The pipe
retracted into the float's air bubble making breathing possible. In order to secure
the upper portion of the apparatus he added a raft surrounding it. He also described
how he made the tubes flexible by bending them at separate intervals. Below the
chin of the tube a sack was placed, which
collected snot, and afterward it would be
emptied so as to not damage the device.
Especially imperative, was the knowledge of
anatomy implied while making the machine.
The underwater breathing apparatus was one
of his most prominent designs.
In addition to his interest in the human
body, Leonardo was also fascinated by
geometry and reflection. He believed in using
concave mirrors as a possible heat provider.
On the right side of his drawing he explained
that a mirror of identical diameter with one with a more dramatic shape should
produce more concentrated rays on a specific point, leading to greater force.
Leonardo was extremely interested in the patterns of reflections.
Additionally, Leonardo desired to be able to comprehend the meaning of life
itself. He believed that to fully understand something, that subject must be
intensely studied. A majority of his inventions would not actually be made for

32
hundreds of years after his death, including missiles and submarines. Due to that
belief, as soon as an idea came to mind or he found a new subject that interested
him, he would start making loose sketches and diagrams. Leonardo wrote in a
strange fashion known as mirror writing, which resembles ordinary writing
reflected in a mirror. One reason for this was because he did not want others to
read his notes and he knew that religious leaders would disagree or that his rivals
might copy them. Others theorize that since he was left-handed he could have
written like that so it would not smudge. Leonardo da Vinci had many unique
ideas.
As a painter, he had numerous pieces. Wanting to perfect the “sfumato”
technique, unfortunately, several pieces deteriorated, ​The Last Supper​ was an
example of this because it was created with oil base paint on plaster. The canvas of
Da Vinci’s ​Last Supper​ that hangs in the Louvre is a reproduction. As Leonardo da
Vinci stated, “painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting
that is felt rather than seen.”

33
 Chapter VI: The Renaissance’s Legacy

Often we can find many symbols in paintings. Generally artists used certain
objects as signs, which were used to indirectly speak to the viewer. By viewing
older art we can tell that canines symbolize obedience, water means existence, and
skulls signify demise. Colors allow us to feel sentiment; artists also use it as a
symbol, since as art progressed, artists assigned certain colors to specific objects.
For example, blue was generally used to paint the Virgin’s robes. Light was used to
set a feeling and add focus to a specific figure with dimension. There were many
objects that artists used to add composition to the piece.
People are greatly affected by art. Understanding art is essential and requires
effort, and there is usually more to it than can be seen at first sight. Statistics have
proven that the average time that an art viewer spends studying pieces is about two
seconds. Observers view art casually without realizing that the objects surrounding
them can be further appreciated by understanding their meaning. Also, people
believe that they can not view art if they do not have access to museums but this is
false since we can admire art through books, posters, postcards, websites, or
television. We must learn to take time to allow our imaginations to wander and
understand factors like texture, dimension, and even patterns in paintings if visual
reproduction is our only possible choice. Another factor that was popular during
the Renaissance was the use of perspective. We can see many differences between
location; Northern Italy considered it less important than the south. In summary, art
cannot be properly appreciated unless one devotes time.
Along with organizational elements there are also psychological difficulties
to appreciating art. Certain people feel low self-esteem and compare themselves to

34
an artist and have sinking spirits while standing in front of a piece of art. When
watching classical masters’ works, an observer can often feel as though the artists
have a knowledge that the viewer does not. At these times it is imperative for one
to understand that the experience is not limited to art experts and is helpful and
even crucial. Art is created by different creators, influenced by different cultures,
and being able to appreciate the whole fullness helps us understand a region and
time period.
Literature was an enormous influence during the Renaissance. During the
Elizabethen and Stuart periods, literature thrived. At those times, a gallery of
writers were produced who were able to write with a new fluency and creativity.
The recent beliefs and doubts that were simultaneously achieved gave authors
various subjects to discuss, therefore making writing more extreme. Writing
generally regarded humanistic ideas. During the Renaissance there was a new age
of literature, which mainly revolved around various philosophical concepts of the
period.
The Renaissance included comprehensive and in numerous ways unique
theoretical activity. It was frequently presumed that God had given a single truth
relating to mankind and that the beliefs of ancient philosophers had kept that
knowledge intact. That idea not only created a base for a learned culture, which
was centered around early writings and their explanations, but also encouraged an
approach to documented knowledge that thrived to work with various
philosophical ideas. Interested by recently made texts, an essential symbol of the
Renaissance’s ideology was the increased fascination in Greek and Roman beliefs
that were formerly unutilized. The re-established study of ​Neoplatonism, Stoicism,
Epicureanism, and Skepticism carved faith in the Universal Truth and provided a

35
structure for modern philosophy and science to rise. The philosophy from the
Renaissance greatly influenced the way we think now, both theoretically and
logically.
The Renaissance style of architecture, portraying the creation of classical
culture, began in Florence, Italy and spread throughout Europe, taking over the
traditional Gothic style of design. Certain factors of classical architecture included
columns, rounded domes, and the barrel vault. Knowledge of classical architecture
was achieved from notes and diagrams from ancient engineer Vitruvius and ruins
from various buildings.
During the Renaissance
period, proportion was an
essential component; artists
found symmetry in
structures and the human
body. The need for
proportion resulted in
simply understood mass,
another difference between the intricate Medieval style and the Renaissance.
Filippo Brunelleschi is believed to be the first Renaissance architect. After that
Leon Battista Alberti created his famous ​Ten Books on Architecture ​ that was a
guide to Renaissance architecture. The Renaissance included many architectural
theories.

The Italian Renaissance was extremely influential to society at that time. As

Renaissance humanistic principles spread throughout Europe, individuals were

36
given the freedom to communicate their beliefs and doubt traditional views. The
accomplishments that Renaissance artists achieved went on to inspire artists
throughout the world, allowing the growth to expand. Sculptors and painters were
not referred to as simple craftsmen, but as masters of the fine arts. Authors like
William Shakespeare could use writing with a new enthusiasm and beauty. And
philosophers could relate the relationships between human and god. The
Renaissance was an incredible era of rebirth and development.
Renaissance art greatly influences the works that are created today. Many
people believe that the Renaissance only included art and literature. It was a time
of philosophy, science, and even improvement in Italy’s economy. From the
Renaissance, modern artists learned how to use various mediums. Artists even
learned to paint on furniture, make art on fabric, and oil painting became
increasingly common. A main factor in the art was drawing the figure in dynamic
poses. Perspective and intricate details were additional areas of focus; people
believed in naturalism. For centuries after this time period, people continued to
focus on artistic principles until the 1900s when abstract art began. The
Renaissance completely changed the way that we look at things, and marked when
one point perspective was created.
The art seeds of our world were planted and raised during the Renaissance.
There were numerous artistic achievements like the grandness of Michelangelo’s
David​ and the beauty of the ​Mona Lisa​ by Leonardo; there were also countless
advances in science and mathematics. From navigating the world to the discovery
of the solar system, to Shacespeare’s literary skills, the Renaissance allowed man
to reach unimaginable heights.

37
 Conclusion

Art has been greatly influenced by the Renaissance. Incorporating realistic

elements in works was a primary factor. There have been many stylized changes in
art as we have gone through time, and the Renaissance was like a giant leap.
Sculptors and painters could freely portray their beliefs through the works that they
made. We learned to present our beliefs in a wide variety of ways including art and
literature. Because of this time period we know more about topics such as the
values in their culture and their knowledge of the human body. Now, we look back
and are inspired by great writers like Shakespeare or philosophers like Plato. There
were a plethora of subjects that they improved on. This time allowed people to
share their different talents, which played a prominent role in society.
Learning about a topic that affects me personally has been such an amazing
experience. Fully understanding the potential that art contains allows me to better
understand what I create. The Renaissance was not just about improving art, but
also allowing people to affect others personally with their interests. Even though
this topic mainly refers to a specific region, it has helped me realize that art unites
us. Also, by researching this topic, I have learned about other fascinating art
periods, such as impressionism, which I want to further dig into. Without the
Renaissance we would not properly appreciate the fine arts.

38
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