Renaissance Imperialism

During the Renaissance, humanity as a whole became more aware of its place in the world. The discovery of entirely new continents shifted the European perspective. Ideas and goods were exchanged through increased trade across oceans and entire continents. With the invention of the printing press, the same image could be seen by hundreds of people thousands of miles apart. This vastly increased the spread of news and ideas despite great distances. The globalization of this period can be seen in the commissioned paintings hung in the homes of the wealthy nobility as well as the wood presses bought by the masses. During the Renaissance, trade with the outside world dramatically increased. While the change in life was slow, it was dramatic.

It even changed the architecture as Middle Eastern buildings became a more common sight, directly influencing the creation of Renaissance markets, such as Venice. The exchange between cultures can also be seen in the art work of the time. New pigments were imported that added lapis lazuli and cinnabar to the artist’s palette, giving paintings the telltale bright blues and reds of Renaissance works. More exotic imagery was added by throwing in the high arches and domes of eastern architecture or animals that weren’t natural inhabitants of Europe. A simple palm tree in the background adds a new level to a work of art that captivated the interest of European patrons. During this period, patrons desired works with this global theme in order to show off their worldliness to their peers as well as those below their

Instead of the usual straight forward viewpoint, Titian created a left facing approach that had never been seen before Pesaro Madonna. The originality of this painting’s design gave it an entirely new level of amazement beyond that of just a good technique and a captivating color palette. The sweeping arch and tall Greco Roman pillars help this to appear as more than just a painting. More like a window, allowing the viewer to see a small rectangle of the life size scene before them. The painting was commissioned by Jacopo Pesaro to commemorate his papal fleet’s victory over the Turks. The Turkish prisoner held by St. Maurice is a clear representation of Christianity’s triumph over the Turks. The color palette shows those bright reds and deep blues that became so popular thanks to the import of pigments not available in