Renaissance refers to the process of rebirth and it took place in many ways. Dating back to 1350, parts of Northern Italy experience the beginning of this rebirth process. It took place after the country underwent a period of ravaging from the Black Death, which swept away a third of the Italian population. Among the earliest pieces that represent the renaissance took the form of art and architecture. In the art, literature also appeared as a form of presenting this new birth. Decameron by Giovanni presented the renaissance in literature between 1313 and 1370. It presented the tale of men who escaped the plague by going to the country villa to take refuge from the Florence of 1948.The renaissance formed a rebirth of the learning process which represented the rediscovery of Greece and Rome. Artists and scholars considered the classical past and rejected the religious approaches, which had dominated the middle ages. According to the Italian scholars, nothing presented creativity since the fall of Rome. The renaissance also brought forth the rebirth in human spirit and creativity. The period saw the rise of great Italian artists. Artists in this period made it clear that they purposed to break away from the middle ages and all forms of creativity witnessed during the period.
The form of painting and sculptures changed during the 200-year period. The artists focused on exhibiting the beauty of nature and during this period, they began presenting nude forms of art. The period allowed the artists to embrace naturalism. In the painting, the period saw the invention of oil paint apply in shading and creating shadow effects. The oil paint enabled artists to implement the use of canvas to blend different colors and work effectively. Away from the religious themes from the middle ages, this age enabled the likes of Giotto Di Bondone to develop art in for of foreshortening. The trend enabled him to present a story using arranged figures, which presented movement and emotion. The period also saw the design of bronze doors for baptistery by Lorenzo Ghiberti he used the doors to depict the new and old testament events. Michelangelo further advanced the bronze doors into “doors of paradise” which implemented the laws of perspective in line as highlighted by Brunelleschi Filipo during the Florence renaissance. Most trends presented similar designs as those presented by the roman artists and architects.
The artists exploited the use of bronze to construct items and mould structures, which had not taken place before the renaissance. Donatello who worked closely with Filipo molded the Gattamelata from bronze. This presented the first such molding since the ages when Rome dominated the forms of art and architecture. The artists further combined marble and clay to design sculptures. They used the ceramic clay to design some decorative accessories and marble sculptures, which took larger shapes and sizes. Della Luca Robbia working in his family workshop combined both clay and marble to design sculptures, which presented the natural beauty, while Donatello combined marble and bronze to form structures for exhibitions. The renaissance allowed the artists to combine elements creatively and to present the beauty in nature from the combination of these elements. The creativity had taken rebirth and artists worked in groups to form new designs. These forms of art and creativity took place during the renaissance. The period continued to a high renaissance when the creativity and implementation of new ideas took place. Most ideas appeared as similar or modifications of the art and architecture found in Rome.
The period presented a chance for the Italian artists to shine and dominate the field as their works set the pace among the artist`s congress. Raphael Santi presented the mathematical form of painting, which appeared as the first in the artistic world. He achieved a mathematically proportionate composition of colors, which enabled him to present tender paintings. He designed Pope Leo`s portrait using this design and the portrait serves as a fascination until this day. He illustrated how the laws of perspective apply in painting though the presentation of harmony and balance. The renaissance artists set the rebirth trend, which dictated the pace taken by artists to present their works in the period.
Leonardo da Vinci appears as among the influential art figures that lived in the period. He set the artistic trend as he presented art and anatomy. He wrote books using mirrors to portray and intellectual and artistic ability, which differentiated the period from medieval ages. Truly, the rebirth presented the world with great artists who presented drawings and portraits, which inspired the academic world. The muscular and skeletal structures drawn by da Vinci presented the learning material for students who pursued the biology. Therefore, art and the renaissance complemented the academic world. In addition, modern scholars still draw interest to the period, which indicates the influence that the period presented.
Some scholars refer to the period as the Greco-Roman renaissance because it appeared as a rebirth of the beliefs of both the Greek and Roman Empire. However, the artists and architects who participated in the artistic work presented a modern version of the Greco-Roman ideas. In sculptures, Michelangelo Buonarroti set the trend for other sculptors to follow. His legacy revolves around the emotional sculpture of Mary on the feet of Christ. He managed to present the pie by using marble. He also used sculptures to present the creation story where Adam has a first day in Eden. He designed sculptures to show the great flood. Most of his pieces revolved around presenting biblical creation stories. His artistic works spur emotions, as the view perceives events, which took place in biblical day.
Other artists followed the trend set during the period to present the crucifixion and the rise of Christ. The rebirth period also presented the growth of artistic talent in a form that presented emotions and real art. The artists opened the door for creativity and a blend of art and architecture. The sculptures that they designed went on display in social interaction buildings such as theatre halls, which also took the renaissance architecture. The middle ages had not presented such a synchronization of art and architecture. The synchronization had only taken place in both the Greek and Roman empires. The Florence period saw a rebirth of old styles, which had faded. The art forms and architecture still form a great field of interest and study in modern times. The artists who dominated the renaissance period remain as a fascination to artists who have come after them. It shows the impact of the rebirth period to modern day art.
