Introduction
There has always a good relation between arts and business. For a long time, businesses have evolved in a symbiotic relationship with arts in which art provides a product that business can thrive. The relation is complete by improvement of art and art technology due to increased business opportunity. A good example is the art of writing and the business of publishing. While several works of art have been published, business empires have emerged from publishing such art. This research examines business support for art during the Renaissance era.
Renaissance Era
This is a period between the 14th and 17th century in which the culture of Europe underwent an evolution of its kinds. This cultural movement started in Italy in Late Middle Ages and spread into the entire Europe. There was an intellectual transformation in Europe in which a new society emerged and introduces new paradigms in politics, science, religion, literature, art, philosophy and other various aspect of intellectual interest .
Renaissance can be viewed as an era in which the intellectual man attempted to improve standard of living by concentrating on the secular and worldly matters. This called for fresh approach to thought and an attempt to justify existing archetype. In the same respect, art was undergoing a considerable evolution as well. New appreciation for finer art was emerging among the intelligentsia and a new approach to art emerged . The main kinds of art during this period were paintings, sculptors and decorative arts. Scholars perceive Renaissance as‘re-birth’ of old traditions that tends to absorb recent developments in application of present-day scientific awareness spreading around Europe. Art improved during this era in terms of technique applied and the stature and number of patrons also increased. Renaissance art has been termed as the hallmark of transition between Medieval Era and modern times.
Business Support of Renaissance art
Most of Renaissance art is associated with Italy and its development under magnificent works that exist even today. One of the biggest supports that art enjoyed during the Renaissance era was that of Pope Julius II who commissioned Michelangelo to decorate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was a much younger contemporary of the famous accredited genius Leonardo da Vinci. The support from the Pope was evidence of good patrons who enjoyed fine art. At the same time other artists had been commissioned to decorate the outside part of St. Peters with angel sculptors and other forms of decorations.
Similarly, during the Renaissance era, the idea of getting portraits of oneself was quite common. The rich and elites in the society commissioned several artists into painting their portraits at a fee. As a result, several artists were making their living out painting.
The adoption of art as a symbol of generation change in Europe was evident. As Italy led the region in introducing art into the culture, several nations followed suite. Dutch painters such as Jan Van Eyck and Hugo van der Goes took a different approach to painting . They deviated from linear proportion rather approaching painting from realistic treatment of elements within the society. Just as Italy, Netherland had similar patrons of art. Dutch royalty commissioned painters and decorators to work on the royal palace . The presence of such patrons allowed art to grow in several aspects. Artist now had clients who enjoyed their works. With new kind of interest, mature artists started training young talented artist in looking to improve art standards in art.
Art was also displayed in buildings and villas and the manner in which they were designed. Pillars and curved balconies with good decoration were preferred over bare and usually simple pillars. Elite and rich people in the community displayed their social status by incorporating artistic design in constructing their residences.
The most outstanding kind of art to have emerged out of Europe is definitely painting. Some of the greatest paintings that we know today such as Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ had a lot of economic significance during the Renaissance Period. Trading in these items of art was lucrative business and several merchant made a living out of this trade. Additionally, artists such a painters and decorators used oil based paints and cotton materials for their art. This presented several business opportunities in which merchant would trade in these items. Farming plants that produced these oils was also adopted among the peasants
Conclusion
Today, art still plays an important role in business. Renaissance art still exist in several places and for this reasons tourism flourishes. Moreover, these items are now priceless and dealers are making fortunes out of the trade. Consequently other business opportunities such as insurance and security have been created. Other forms are making bigger businesses. These forms include films and photography. The movie industry in particular seems to be flourishing more than any other art industry. Operas too have taken root in present-day business. This appreciation for art according to O'Malley (2005) emanates from the renaissance period.
Johnson, G. A. (2005). Renaissance art: a very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
O'Malley, M. (2005). The business of art: contracts and the commissioning process in Renaissance Italy. Washington: Yale University Press.
Paoletti, J. T., & Radke, G. M. (2005). Art in Renaissance Italy. London: Laurence King Publishing.
