Everyone knows that Italy was the heart of the entire Renaissance. Great masters of the word, brush and philosophical thought appeared in each of the periods of the Renaissance. The culture of the Early Renaissance in Italy demonstrates the origin of traditions that will develop in subsequent centuries, this period became the starting point, the beginning of a great era of development of creativity in Europe.
Briefly about the main thing
Early Renaissance art in Italy covers the period from approximately 1420 to 1500, preceding the High Renaissance and culminating in the Proto-Renaissance. As with any transitional period, these eighty years are characterized by a mixture of styles and ideas that preceded, and new ones, which, nevertheless, are borrowed from the distant past, from the classics. Gradually, the creators got rid of medieval concepts, shifting their attention to ancient art.
However, despite the fact that for the most part they sought to return to the ideals of a forgotten art, as in general,and privately, nevertheless, ancient traditions were intertwined with new ones, but to a much lesser extent.
Architecture of Italy during the Early Renaissance
The main name in the architecture of this period is, of course, Filippo Brunelleschi. He became the personification of Renaissance architecture, organically embodying his ideas, he managed to turn projects into something bewitching, and, by the way, until now, his masterpieces have been carefully guarded for many generations. One of his main creative achievements is considered to be buildings located in the very center of Florence, the most remarkable of which are the dome of the Florentine Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Pitti Palace, which became the starting point of Italian architecture of the Early Renaissance.
Other important achievements of the Italian Renaissance also include the Doge's Palace, which is located near the main square of Venice, palaces in Rome by the hands of Bernardo di Lorenzo and others. During this period, the architecture of Italy seeks to organically combine the features of the Middle Ages and the Classics, striving for the logic of proportions. An excellent example of this statement is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, again by Filippo Brunelleschi. In other European countries, the Early Renaissance did not leave such striking examples.
Early Renaissance Artists
The artistic culture of this period is distinguished by the desire of the creators, referring to classical scenes, to recreate them with a share of naturalism, giving them a more realistic character. One of the first and most ingeniousRepresentatives of this period are considered to be Masaccio, he skillfully used the full perspective, introducing proximity to naturalness into his works, sought to convey the emotions and thoughts of the characters. Michelangelo would later consider Masaccio his teacher.
Other important representatives of this period were Sandro Botticelli, along with Leonardo da Vinci and the very young Michelangelo. The most famous works of Botticelli "The Birth of Venus" and "Spring" reflect a smooth but rapid transition from secularism to naturalness and simplicity. Some of the work of other Renaissance artists such as Raphael and Donatello can also be attributed to this period, although they continued to create well into the High Renaissance.
Sculpture
The culture of the Early Renaissance in Italy is directly related to sculpture, during this period it is brought to the same level with architecture and painting, and begins to play an equally important role. The pioneer of the architecture of this era was Lorenzo Ghiberti, who, despite his knowledge of art history and painting talent, devoted himself to reliefs.
He strove for the harmony of all the elements of his works and managed to achieve success in his path. The main achievement of Ghiberti were the reliefs on the door of the Florentine baptistery. Ten compositions no less accurate and complete than the picturesque paintings, collectively became known as the "Gates of Paradise".
Ghiberti's student, Donatello, is recognized as a reformer of Renaissance sculpture. He managed to combine in his work the Florentine democracy and newtraditions of returning to antiquity, becoming a role model for many Renaissance creators, and not only sculptors.
The culture of the Early Renaissance in Italy is inconceivable without Jacopo della Quercia, the predecessor of the two previous sculptors. Despite the fact that he belonged to the Quattrocento era, his work was strikingly different from the classical Ghiberti and Donatello, but his influence on the early period of the Renaissance cannot be underestimated. Of particular note is his work on the portal of the church of San Petronio called "The Creation of Adam", which influenced the work of Michelangelo.
Results
Early Renaissance culture in Italy, although it strives for the same thing - to display the classics through the prism of naturalness, but the creators go different ways, leaving their names in the Renaissance culture. Many great names, ingenious masterpieces and a complete rethinking of not only artistic, but also philosophical culture - all this brought us a period that foreshadowed other stages of the Renaissance, in which established ideals found their continuation.
