Humanism
• Renewed interest in Greek and Roman arts, philosophy, scholarly writing
• Encouraged secularism and pursuit of worldly pleasures
• Interest in beauty and aesthetics• Individual expression was encouraged
Patronage
• Medici family was most well known for their patronage
• Church continued to be the greatest patron of the arts• Wealthy patrons commissioned portraits
– Served as reminders of their worldly success– Subjects were presented in the most favorable way
possible—not always accurately– An honor to be represented as a figure from mythology or
the bible– Always shown in contemporary clothing, despite the time
period of the artwork
Depictions of Medici Family
Adoration of the Magi Sandro Botticelli
Journey of the Magi Benozzo Gozzoli
Scientific Research
• Studies in anatomy contributed to realistic portrayals of the body in art
• Studies of classical architecture and sculpture influenced proportion and balance
• Perspective and forshortening* were formulated with mathematical precision
• *Forshortening—the application of linear perspective to human and other forms to help achieve a dramatic illusion of three-dimensional space
Leonardo da Vinci
• The epitome of the “Renaissance man”– Accomplished painter, sculptor, scientist, engineer, poet,
architect– Designed public buildings, built dams and canals, invented
an aircraft and submarine– Wrote treatises on anatomy, optics, geology, physics, and
painting• Studied with Verrocchio in Florence—was introduced
to great intellectuals and artists of the time• Worked under the patronage of Ludovico Sforza, duke
of Milan and Francis I in France
Michelangelo
• Painter, architect, and sculptor—identified himself as a sculptor first
• Lived most of his life in poverty• His paintings revealed such meticulous
attention to the human form that they are referred to as “painted sculpture”
Botticelli
• Known for his sensitivity for beauty• Created many paintings with mythical themes,
later was influenced by Florentine monk Savonarola and turned to religious subjects
• Burned some of his paintings on mythical subjects• Was commissioned to paint The Adoration of the
Magi by the Church of Santa Maria Novella—featured members of the Medici family
• The Birth of Venus remains his most popular work
Raphael
• Born into an artistic family• Epitomizes Late Renaissance painting• Was commissioned to provide murals for
papal apartments of the Vatican, of which The School of Athens is most famous
Donatello
• One of the premiere sculptors of 15th century Florence
• His most famous sculpture, David was commissioned by the Medici family
• David is a life-sized, youthful figure in bronze• Depicts moment after David slays Goliath• Employs contrapposto—a displacement of the
hips and straightening of leg to show weight resting on that leg
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