Renaissance (1420/1450 - 1600)
The
Renaissance began in Italy around 1420. Within 80 years this new style influenced
every part of Europe. Literally the term 'Renaissance' means rebirth. In art-history
the Renaissance reflects the period in which human became conscious again
of their power to influence their own lifes.
The
Renaissance is a period in art-history in which the end of the Middle-Ages
and the principles of the Middle-Ages became very obvious. It is the period
of light and new beginnings, in contrast to the dark Middle-Ages. For the
first time since the end of the Classic Period human became aware of
the beginning of a new era. They got inspired by the ideas and principals
of the Classical Period; The Greek and Roman Cultures, because
they saw these cultures as the best human had ever acomplished.
During
the Renaissance man as self-reliant being more and more forms the centre of
society. This not in spite of God but at Gods service. People started to explore
and analyse everything scientifically, like nature, philosophy, politics and
art.
In the art-disciplines, architecture,
sculpture and painting, one can recognize some aspects that lie on the bases
of Renaissance art, over and over again.
These aspects are:
