Term renaissance (French for rebirth) is known to most people. We are familiar with the heritage of the epoch – paintings, literature, music and know a lot about philosophical course of the time. However, I would like to focus on the very first accords of the period, looking at what led to it and who stood at its origins.
Renaissance is a transitional era; from the mediaeval to the modern world (Sanford). During Renaissance no great philosophical systems are built - this time is for experimenting, trying different possibilities reorientation. At the same time, Renaissance may be referred to as the era of inventions and discoveries that gave way to a different philosophical mindset.
Discoveries that changed the world and led to Renaissance:
Perfecting art of navigation (compass) that let to great geographical discoveries (Columbus, Vasco da Gama), and as a result – European expansion and extension of the knowledge of distant lands and foreign people;
Copernicus creates a heliocentric image of the world;
Gutenberg invents a prototype for a typing machine;
Alberti reveals the principle of perspective in painting;
Development of trade and monetary economy, as well as the improvement of military equipment, undermine the position of chivalry, and thus lead to social change.
Overall, a new moral was built, that justified the joy of worldly life, affirming human right to earthly happiness, to freedom of expression and the development of all the natural instincts. Attitude towards the Church became critical. Researchers agree that during no other epoch in the history, were there create as many anti-clerical writings and statements as during Renaissance. At the same time, many of the best works of this era were born in the mainstream of religious art. Almost all the great masters of the Renaissance created murals, designed and painted churches, referring to biblical characters and plots. Therefore, in this period we can talk about rethinking of the religious rather than its denial.
Florence is thought to be the cradle of Renaissance, that in 13th century was a city of rich merchants, manufacture owners, huge number of craftsmen, organized in guilds. In addition, guilds of doctors, pharmacists, musicians, lawyers, solicitors and notaries were numerous in Florence at the time. It is among the members of these classes, circles of educated people started to form, who decided to explore the cultural heritage of ancient Greece and Rome.
The most significant change caused by Renaissance was in the culture of art. In this area, the gap with the Middle Age was the most profound and radical. In the Middle Ages art was predominantly arts and crafts, it has been woven into the very life and had to decorate it. Renaissance changed this. For the first time, the artist became an independent and respected professional, scholar, thinker and unique individuality. In the Renaissance, art is seen as one of the most powerful means of knowing and is equalized with science as such. Leonardo da Vinci regards science and art as two equal means of studying nature.
In general, art goes through deep changes. It makes a decisive change from the medieval character and sign for a realistic image and accurate images. Now new are the means of artistic expression. They are now made of the linear and aerial perspective, three-dimensional volume, the learning of proportions. Art in all strives to be true to reality, to achieve objectivity, reliability and vitality.
Renaissance is considered to be predominantly Italian era. There were great artists in various countries but Italy is out of competition. Proto renaissance (end 13th-14th centuries) is considered the father of all Renaissance period (Panofsky). Below are the most prominent representatives of the beginning of the epoch.
Dante Alighieri, whose “Divine comedy” took a special place in the history of world culture. By its construction, this poem is also in line with the medieval tradition, however, in its thoughts and opinions, in its attitude to the portrayed characters and their sins, Dante often quite substantially at odds with Christian teaching.
Francesco Petrarch also stands along the most prominent Italian poets. In the world culture, he is known primarily for his sonnets. At the same time, he was a large scale thinker, philosopher and historian. He is considered the founder of the whole of Renaissance culture. Petrarch art is also partly located within the medieval courtly poetry. However, Petrarch more decisively breaks links with medieval culture. His works express feelings - love, pain, despair, longing - appear much more sharp and naked. The personal origin has sounds louder in them.
Giovanni Boccaccio is another bright representative of literature. Author of the world famous "Decameron". The principle of construction of short stories and the plot outline are borrowed from the Middle Ages. Everything else is saturated with the spirit of the Renaissance.
Giotto di Bondone is the most outstanding representative of Italian Proto Renaissance in visual arts. Frescoes were his main genre. All of them depict biblical and mythological scenes, scenes from the life of the Holy Family, evangelists, and saints. However, the approach of these subjects is clearly dominated by the Renaissance. In his works, Giotto refuses to medieval conventions and appeals to realism and verisimilitude. For them he is recognized as an artist who revived painting as a self-worth art.
What we call the Renaissance had not yet arrived; but their achievement rendered its appearance in due season certain (Giusepi).
Works Cited
Sanford, Eva Matthews. “The Twelfth Century--renaissance or Proto-
renaissance?”. Speculum 26.4 (1951): 635–642. Web.
Giusepi R.A. “Beginning and Progress of the Renaissance”. University of California.
Web.
Panofsky, Erwin. “Renaissance and Renascences”. The Kenyon Review 6.2 (1944):
201–236. Web.
