Renaissance Research Paper

1090 Words3 Pages

The Renaissance was a cultural rebirth. It was an intellectual movement dedicated to literature and knowledge. Social and political change during the Renaissance allowed the middle class to learn thus igniting the curiosity of individuals in post unenlightened times. It was also a cultural movement of a philosophical and moral view called Humanism. This revival materialized after the middle ages and witnessed a vast interest in learning the arts and sciences. In addition, the Renaissance was responsible for the development and exchange with the new world through exploration and trade that consequently led to discovering new continents and altering the impression that the world was flat. The Renaissance produced many influential and important …show more content…

Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo contributed in the arts. Dante Allighieri, Boccaccio, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Miguel de Cervantes were contributor in literature. A notable remnant of this period is its magnificent architectural buildings. This document summary is about the art of architecture during the Renaissance. Classical Greek and Roman buildings inspired renaissance architecture. Some features of this architectural design are balanced arrangement of windows and doors, extensive use of classical columns and pillars, square beams and support, arches, domes, and a collection of sculptures scattered internally and externally throughout the building. Known architectural contributors in the early renaissance are Filippo Brunellechi who considered the father of Renaissance architecture, Leon Batista Alberti, and Michelangelo. These buildings are relatively largely extravagant and were built to last. A good example of this is the Basilica of St. Peter which is perhaps the …show more content…

He tells how our ancestors have left us with many arts tending to the pleasure of life describing that some arts we allow by necessity and for their usefulness. Alberti adds that some leads us to the knowledge of things that are delightful. He then continues to say that within the circle of the arts, there is one that not only brings profit but also at the same time brings pleasure and honor, which is architecture. Alberti described what he allows to be an architect and stated “Him I call an architect who, by a sure and wonderful art and method, is able, both with thought and invention, to devise and, with execution, to complete all those works which, by means of the movement of great weights and the conjunction and amassment of bodies, can, with greatest beauty, be adapted to the uses of mankind” (as cited in Ross and McLaughlin, 1981, p. 528). By stating what he believes on what an architect should be, we see the motivation behind his architectural creations. He suggests a structure without beauty, majesty, and gracefulness is a waste and every aspect of the structure should be equal and in place conveying the importance of symmetry in architecture. Moreover, Alberti states that another important quality of architecture that gives beauty and grace to the building is congruity. Proposing that by nature, we desire things to be perfect, congruity and symmetry in a structure

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