The Renaissance

Cultural Foundations

Ancient Times• We can see the cultural legacy of previous times in the art and

learning of the Renaissance- • As a “rebirth” of the classical period of Ancient Greece and Ancient

Rome, whose lost works were being rediscovered in the West from the 12th Century onwards via contacts with the Byzantine Empire and Arab scholarship.

• These works included art, architecture, literature, philosophy and science.

• Much of this knowledge had been lost in the West when the Western Roman Empire had been over run by Barbarian invaders in the 5th Century (A.D. / C.E.)

• Sculpture is perhaps the most well known form of Ancient Greek art of the Classical period (circa 500- 300 B.C.)

• Above are two famous statues, Lycoon and the Discus Thrower• What do you notice about subject matter, style and form.?• What is being celebrated?

Classical Architecture

• The Parthenon, the temple of Athena in Athens built in the 5th Century• Find out a little about this building and it’s significance• Look at the bas- relief from the Parthenon and the section of the famous mosaic of Alexander. What do

you notice about these art works?

Bas Relief

Alexander the Great mosaic

Medieval Art

• After the fall of the Roman Empire in the West to barbarian invaders, much of the knowledge of the ancient world was lost

• The Medieval society which emerged was a mixture of Roman,

Germanic and Christian traditions. • New artistic styles developed after the 5th Century, which reflected

these changes in both western Europe as well as in the Eastern or Byzantine Empire based in Constantinople.

• Look at the art works I have chosen from the 11th to the 13th centuries all from western Europe

• Note carefully how Medieval art works appear to differ from the classical period

The Bayeaux Tapestry 1080’s

Medieval Bas- relief

Notre Dame

Painting- late medieval

Margaret of Cleves.

Some Renaissance Examples

David

Birth of Venus- Botticelli

The Last Supper

Renaissance Art

• Note the subjects of Renaissance Art- relate to the subjects depicted in the 2 earlier times

• How are humans portrayed and compare with the 2 earlier forms?

• From viewing these pictures what things do you think are influencing Renaissance Art?