The period between 14th and 15th century in European history is what is referred to as the late middle age. It is the period that preceded the renaissance. The great Roman Empire had collapsed in 476AD; this consequently led to the end of the period of its domination. Europe was then dominated by a series of German kings who had at the time called their domain the Holy Roman Empire. By the 12th century a loose collection of Italian republics began to gather aiming at recovering the past glory of Rome. They sought to revitalize Europe and engineered the blueprint for the modern western world-the age of invention with Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. This marked the beginning of a new era, the Italian Renaissance. It was also the age of counter personality where progressive interest in art and sciences was developed. In the 12th and 13th century Italy began its rebirth, stability was re-established under the peninsula from the Roman Empire.
Within the newly established city states of Italy a different kind of leadership emerged-the merchants. There was an extra ordinary vibrancy in the cities where wealth bought power and power bought art and architecture. This period was also characterized by the invention of printing that facilitated widespread dissemination of information and learning. This factor had a significant contribution to the protestant reformation. The period following 1450s saw a number of significant events take place in Europe. These included the downfall of Constantinople (was a symbol of roman glory for more than 1000 years), the rise of Ottoman Empire, expedition of Columbus to America in search of new trade routes and Vasco Da Gama successfully navigated India and Africa. These events led to discoveries that boosted European power and economy. The old city had died with old ideals and gave way to new ideas. It was the above changes and developments that marked the transition from the late middle age to what scholars call the modern history. Leon Battista Alberti wrote that individuals can do all things if they will and the three individuals that exemplified this are Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Sandro Botticelli
Botticelli was an Italian painter in the age of renaissance. He was a member of the famous Florentine school in Italy under patronage of Medici’s family. His notable works include; “The Birth of Venus, Primavera and The Adoration of the Magi.” He had been trained by his brother Antonio as a goldsmith in his early years. He thus became successful and rich as both a goldsmith and an artist. His work, The Adoration of The Magi, was composed of portraits of Medici together with his sons and grandsons; Giovanni, Lorenzo, Giuliani and Piero. Vasari praised the quality of the work and its scenery as one of Botticelli's pinnacles. In 1481, Botticelli and other famous artistes in Florentine were summoned to fresco the Sistine chapel walls. Among Sandro's contribution were paintings of the trail of Moses, punishment of the rebels and temptations of Christ.
In his later life, Botticelli came under Savoranala’s influence and his art was transformed from bring merely decorative to being devout. It is told that he burnt his own paintings that had pagan themes. This is asserted by Vasari when he says that Botticelli based on this transformation was motivated to abandon his work. He therefore died a poor man. He however inspired artistes such as Graitze (Maute 57)
Leonardo da Vinci
Da Vinci was born in Italy in1452. He was born in a rural village and grew up in Vinci. He had an ordinary basic education in mathematics and writing. He however had an outstanding talent and skill in art. He is considered one of the greatest artistes and intellectual force to be reckoned with during the Italian renaissance. He had one of the brilliant minds of all times. Some scholars have referred to him as one with the divine mind. He is known for having engaged in diverse areas of interests that included painting, sculpting, architecture, music, engineering, science, mathematics, invention, literature and much more. He is given credit for inventing the first parachute, boat, motor car, tank, and Swing Bridge.
It was during his apprentice with Andrea Del Verrocchio in Florence that he improved and developed his skills in arts and acquired other technical skills in carpentry, leather arts, metal work and sculpting. His earliest work that came to the limelight was his drawing of Arno valley done in 1473 using the simple tools of a pen and ink. By the time Da Vinci was 20 years of age, he had established his own workshop having qualified for membership in Florence’s Guild of Saint Luke as a master artist. It is believed that Da Vinci is the one who painted a section of the background and the angel holding Jesus, in the “Baptism of Christ”. This piece of art was the work of his teacher, Verrocchio. This was according to Giorgio Vasari in “Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects,” written around 1550.
His most famous works are “the last supper” and “Mona Lisa” which made many scholars refer to him as the epitome of renaissance. Using his creative mind, he managed to secure employment as a military engineer advisor and architecture. He at the same time offered his painting and sculpting services. For him, there was no distinction between art and science. Studying the laws of nature and science inspired his artistic work.
Michelangelo di Lodovico
He was born in 1475 in Italy. He was a sculptor, artiste, painter and poet. His notable works include the David and Pieta statutes. He also participated in painting the Sistine chapel walls. Michelangelo had no interest in school work or his family’s businesses. When his father realized this, he agreed to apprentice him to Domenici’s painter's workshop. It was there that Michelangelo got his exposure to the technique of fresco. He spent a year at the workshop, and then moved to the palace of Lorenzo the Magnificent at Domenici’s recommendation. He studied the sculptures in Medici’s gardens and also got an opportunity to study under Giovanni. He received exposure to elite humanists and famous poets. In addition to this, the Catholic Church granted him permission to study cadavers to improve his knowledge on anatomy.
The opportunities that Michelangelo was exposed to greatly influenced his unique style which blended lyrical beauty with reality and masculine precision. At age 16, he had worked on two sculptures, "Battle of the Centaurs" and "Madonna Seated on a Step." It is from 1495 that he began to actively work as a sculptor; most of his work was modelled along classical antiques. Some scholars claimed that he would deliberately age his sculptures in a bid to achieve certain patterns. Following this unique art, he relocated to Rome upon invitation by Cardinal Riario who was fascinated by his prowess. His art and painting work were revered but when it had taken a toll on him, he shifted his attention to architecture. His greatest contributions in this field being the design of Medici’s chapel and the library of Laurent. This two made a remarkable transformation in the history of architecture and was crowned the chief architect of St. Peters Basilica in 1546. His works portray a uniqueness nothing else could possibly match (Jones 23)
Alberti’s statement could not be exemplified any better than by these individuals who transcended the boundaries of norms in both art and sciences. Each of them had a unique touch to their work that made a lasting impact and transformation during the age of renaissance. The works of both Leonardo and Michelangelo was seen to influence the work of artistes in the following generations (Jones 98).
Works cited
Jones, Jonathan. The Lost Battles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, and the Artistic Duel that
Defined the Renaissance. Vintage, 2012
Maute, Katharina. Meaning of Arts for Brands. Grin Verlag Ohg, 2013.
