In the 15th century, during the height of the Italian Renaissance, new artist were emerging with a vast understanding of philosophy and humanism. This period of the Renaissance would produce some of the most dynamic artist the world has ever known. These artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Of the three central Italian Renaissance artists Raphael is perhaps the most fascinating of the group. Born in a small town in Umbria near Urbino, Raphael would learn most of his basic skills from his father, Giovanni Santi, who was a painter himself. However, at a young age he would enter in an apprenticeship under Pietro Perugino at the Umbrian school. With influence from great artists of the past and present Raphael began to develop an individual style exemplifying the …show more content…
ideals of High Renaissance art. Raphael received multiple commissions and began to establish himself within the artistic sphere of Italy. Before his arrival in Rome Raphael’s work included: The Mond Crucifixion, The Coronation of the Virgin, The Wedding of the Virgin, and The Madonna of the Pinks. These works of art display Raphael’s dexterity in both foreshadowing and the use of fresco paintings. When in Rome, Raphael was immediately commissioned by the new Pope Julius II to fresco his private library at the Vatican Palace. This would be the largest and most important commission of Raphael’s life and would be considered a significant work of art for years to come. Within the collection of paintings, known as "Raphael Rooms,” is one of the most famous frescoes of the Italian Renaissance. The School of Athens has long been held as Raphael's masterpiece and the perfect embodiment of the classical spirit of the Renaissance. The School of Athens is one of a group of four main frescoes that represent distinctive branches of knowledge: Philosophy, Poetry, Theology, and Law. The School of Athens illustrates philosophy by portraying the great “poets, philosophers, sages and theologians” from the ancient world (Graham-Dixon 181). There are over seventy characters represented in the painting. At the center of the painting are Plato and Aristotle. Plato is shown pointing up to symbolize that all great ideas are sent down to us from Heaven, and Aristotle points downward to Earth as his source for the observation of reality (Graham-Dixon 182). While there is little debate over the two central characters in the painting, the rest of the cast is up to interpretation. Some notable characters that scholars believe to be included are: Socrates, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Archimedes, and Democritus (Person Prentice Hall). Not knowing exactly what these ancient philosophers looked like Raphael used his contemporaries along with other friends and neighbors to depict the characters. He also included himself as one of the characters in the painting. There is one character in particular that provokes consternation. Who is the woman? In the bottom left of the painting Raphael paints a solitary woman not engaged in discourse. It is widely speculated that this is a representation of “Margarita Luti” the mistress and model of Raphael; however, others insist that it is “Hypatia” the first female philosopher (Agutie Homestead). It is believed that when Raphael submitted a draft of the fresco to the church, the church leaders wanted the woman removed. Since Raphael made no designations outside possible likenesses to these characters, debate endures as to whom is represented. Aside from the characters, another important aspect to this painting is the setting. The characters are standing in what looks to be a Basilica, with two sculptures in the background representing the “Apollo and Athena” (KhanAcademy). The setting illustrates a harmony between “pagan philosophy and Christian theology” (KhanAcademy). This would bring the fundamental topics of the Italian Renaissance into the main focus of the Christian church, and for the first time the study of Philosophy, Poetry, Theology, and Law were widely accepted by the faith (Graham-Dixon 181). Raphael’s The School of Athens would reach a loftier eminence than any painting had previously received. Fresco painting can be traced back to as early as the 17th century BCE. Fresco is most commonly used in mural-painting, because the pigment used can quickly dry and actually become part of the wall. This attribute makes it the most solid painting technique available. Fresco became a common method for painters during the Italian Renaissance as it was easy to use multiple colors to display the image. The practice of linear perspective was a major obsession of many painters during this period. This characteristic is evident throughout Raphael’s The School of Athens as the characters appear to be moving within the painting. The artist demonstrates his knowledge of human anatomy as the characters feel lifelike and three-dimensional (Encylopedia of Art Education). The painting embraces all the important “elements of Renaissance art” (Encylopedia of Art Education). The scene shows people engaged in conversation, and the expression on their faces displays what each character is thinking. The colors used in the painting show a natural reaction to light and the background is comprehensive and demonstrations perspective. With equal representation given to each of the characters the painting is symmetrical. In order to catch the attention of the viewer the artist uses “different color palettes to highlight the important characters” (Encylopedia of Art Education). The grand techniques and elements that Raphael uses to bring The School of Athens to life make it the ultimate illustration of the Renaissance movement. Raphael exemplifies the impact of rediscovered Greek and Latin classics in shaping the humanistic thought that was so essential to Renaissance.
He aimed to show that Renaissance thinkers matched the ancients and his own artistic genius, along with that of such greats as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, led to this period being dubbed the High Renaissance. Certainly, the greatest philosophers of the Renaissance were in fact its artists. The School of Athens would become the leading “example for the philosophy of the Renaissance (Radke 347).” Raphael’s artistic brilliance would inspire the next style of artist such as; Mariotto Albertinelli, Nicolas Poussin, Bernard van Orley and a great deal more. For a thousand years the School of Athens has served as a basic “principle of faith for the Christian Church (Radke 347).” From the Renaissance on, it would provide a sense of inspiration for Christian to examine the natural world around them in order to discover the great design of the Creator. Though many years’ younger than his counterparts, Raphael’s The School of Athens would catapult him as one of the elite painters of his generation, singlehandedly make this his one true
masterpiece. With the perfect personification of the true essence of the Renaissance, Raphael was able to capture all the elements in one painting, The School of Athens. Depicting all the great philosophers of the ancient world gathering within a Christian Basilica, and being overlooking by the Greek gods, Raphael was able to bridge the gap between pagan and Christian philosophies. He used elaborate colors and shadowing to form each individual character. The paintings backdrop provides it with sense of linear perspective and provide all the central elements of Renaissance art. It is very symbolic that many of the ancient philosophers are model after the Renaissance artist, for they were becoming great philosophers within their own right. After completing of The School of Athens, Raphael would embody what the Italian Renaissance movement was all about. In his lifetime, Raphael completed hundreds of art work, but none would confirm his brilliance more than The School of Athens.
Raphael Sanizo, usually known just by his first name, was born in 1483 in Urbino, Italy. He was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. He was celebreated for the perfection and grace of his paintings and drawings. He was very productive in his life, but had an early death at the age of thirty-seven years old, letting his rival Michelangelo take the reins on the art world. He is one of the great masters of his time. He died on March 28 of 1483 at the age of thirty-seven years old.
Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy on March 6th 1475. His family was politically prominent as his family had large land property. His father was a banker and was looking to his son to engage in his businesses. As a young boy, he has ambitions of becoming a sculptor, but his father was very discouraging of this. He wanted his son to live up to the family name and take up his father’s businesses. Michelangelo became friends with Francesco Granacci, who introduced him to Domenico Ghirlandio(biography.com). Michelangelo and his father got into a series of arguments until eventually they arranged for him to study under Ghirlandaio at the age of thirteen. Ghirlandaio watched Michelangelo work and recognized his talent for the art and recommended him into an apprenticeship for the Medici family palace studio after only one year of at the workshop. The Medici’s were very rich from making the finest cloths. Lorenzo, which was one of the most famous of the family had a soft side for art and is credited for helping the Italian Renaissance become a time of illustrious art and sculpting. At ...
From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century the Renaissance transformed European culture and society. Many classical texts resurfaced and new scientific techniques arose. To many, Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most important figures in Renaissance history. He was given the name “Renaissance Man” because of his large role and impact. He had a large list of interests that spanned from science, art, anatomy, architecture, and mathematics. All of which were fundamental components that shaped the Renaissance era into what we know it as today.
During the Renaissance, people were dedicated to studying human works. They would observe from real life to gain inspiration, new ideas, and to try to recreate the world as they saw it in their art. New techniques such as scientific and atmospheric perspective were created, changing art forever. Artists would use their skills to create works for patrons, from the Church, various guilds, and other religious orders. During the High Renaissance, Julius II commissioned Raphael to decorate the Vatican Palace. The first of the rooms he decorated was The “Room of the Signature”, where he painted The School of Athens. Originally, this room housed Julius II’s personal library, but later on it would be the room where papal documents were signed. In 1508, Raphael began painting four frescoes that represented theology, philosophy, law, and the arts. As stated in Janson’s History of Art Volume II, This fresco “represents a summation of High Renaissance humanism, for it attempts to represent the unity of knowledge in one grand scheme.” Raphael’s The School of Athens is a prime example of humanistic art, as evidenced by the subject of the art itself, the classical elements in the piece, and it’s scientific and illusionistic rendering.
In this paper I'm focusing mainly on Renaissance art work, since that was the assignment, but I feel it's important to also mention the other important parts of the Renaissance, architecture, science, politics and religion.
Through imagination and skill, artist lure select audiences into different minds and creative worlds, provoking a deeper understanding of events, ideas, and communities of previous eras. Michelangelo, for example, offers insight into religious, social, and political situations of the western world. By decoding two of his most iconic pieces—the statue of David and the Sistine Chapel—we gain a larger context for the fourteenth century Renaissance: stressing themes of humanism, patronage, and more.
Raffaello Sanzio, more commonly known as Raphael, was born to his mother and father on April 6, 1483. He was born in the town of Urbino in Italy. Raphael’s father worked as a court painter under the Duke of Urbino. Raphael often helped his father paint some paintings for the court. Being around and growing up around the court as much as he did, Raphael was introduced to practicing proper manners and to new social skills. His mother passed away when he was eight years old and even though his father remarried, he passed away four years later. The passing of Raphael’s parents left him orphaned and living with his uncle, who was a priest. While living with his uncle, Raphael showed the talent that he had learned while helping his father at the Duke’s court. Around the age of fifteen or sixteen, Raphael did a self-portrait, which is the earliest known example of his work (Raphael Sanzio, 2012).
Throughout history, the upcoming giants of civilization have always attempted to glorify themselves by drawing comparisons to colossuses of the past. The European Renaissance was no different in that aspect as it drew comparisons to the ancients, the Greeks, to announce, commemorate and immortalize their legacy and culture. Two of the many examples of such conduct are Raphael’s frescoes, “The School of Athens” and “The Parnassus”.
Much of the art created during the Renaissance was geared toward religion, and with Michelangelo this was no exception. By th...
There were three artists in particular that took over the Renaissance period. Their names are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The artist I choose to do is Leonardo da Vinci. He was born on April 15, 1492 in Italy. He was raised by his father and step-mothers.
Europe’s historical development was brought to life by two dominant states of the renaissance. Florence and Venice, being the powerhouses, speedup the renaissance and developed along the way. Florence being the main hub of influence in the europe(Italy), during the renaissance along with Venice. Florence could be characterized as a financial central , with their banking system which was considered extraordinary at the time. Also, their focus of wool making, being the main producer of wool making gave them a chance to do trade. Venice was considered a biggest center of trade, being one of the coastal cities. It had access to Adriatic sea, which helped trades with Eastern world. Venice was known for their ship building as well. Two different
The Italian Renaissance included some of the greatest artists we have ever seen from Leonard Da Vinci, to Michelangelo, and Raphael. The Renaissance took place from the late thirteenth to sixteenth centuries and is know as the ‘rebirth’. The idea that the rebirth of the arts after being asleep for a thousand years is an amazing thing to grasp. This time brought back light to liberal arts, which were on the brink of being extinct. (Murray 2) What is also interesting about art during this time was that most of the art had Christian in its roots, for example, Botticelli’s The Allegory of Spring (Faure 1) is said to have had a Christian interpretation. (Murray) “Every Italian artist, willingly took the title of architect, sculptor, and painter” (Faure 2). At the beginning of the fifteenth century, the Italian painters had asked the Flemish painters for their secret techniques because the Italians felt like the language of painting was one that was always meant for them. (Faure 4) The sculptors claimed their inspiration from ancient works. Lastly the Renaissance introduced idea of individualism, which helped the Italians get away from everything that was going on during that time. Art during the Renaissance included painting, sculpting and architecture, all of which were an important part in expressing the idea of individualism and making art what is is today.
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael Santi was an Italian painter and architect of the high renaissance. He was orphaned at the age of 12 and became the apprentice to Perugino, with whom he worked. His works is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition, and visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human appearance. Raphael was also a designer. His father who was also a painter, taught Raphael the principles of technique.
The School of Athens and The Birth of Venus: The Display of Humanism in Art Throughout the Renaissance To understand Raphael’s, The School of Athens, we must first analyze the Greek ideals displayed in the art. Firstly, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, otherwise known as Raphael, was apprenticed at a young age to another well-known artist known as Pietro Perugino. By the time Raphael was twenty-one, he had surpassed his master and moved to Florence, Italy, where he would work for the next four years with the influence of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, as they were leading artists in that city at that time.
The painting, School of Athens, is a world renown painting drawn by Raffaello Sanzio, for Pope Julius II, during the Renaissance era of Rome. This painting was drawn between 1509-1511 by the order of Pope Julius II to decorate the Papal Apartments in Rome. Since the painting represents philosophy, famous philosophers like Plato and Aristotle are illustrated in the middle of the picture. Therefore, the painting, School of Athens means that philosophy is a major category throughout the Renaissance era and also symbolizes classical antiquity. Classical Antiquity symbolizes a period of Greco-Roman arts and antiquities.