Renaissance, which began in Italy in the first quarter of the XV century, turned the medieval world, changing it forever.Translated from the French or the Italian "Renaissance" - a "born again", that is connected with the revival of the art of ancient traditions.Renaissance - a great breakthrough of humanity, there can be no doubt.In that period it was created wonderful works of painting, sculpture and architecture.Written (and published) great books.Creation of human genius by famous masters of the past, continue to fascinate so far and never lose its charm.
Terrible Middle Ages
considered a well-known fact that the Renaissance replaced the Middle Ages, which were, as usual, dark, of course, severe, and characterized by a variety of religious atrocities - the Inquisition heard everything.There are sources that explicitly states that due to the insidious machinations of the Catholic Church and the Renaissance went into decline.
part, this view of things has a right to exist, but hardly merits of the clergy in this process so great.Just human society evolves in cycles for each revolution of the reaction should be, and the Renaissance was the victim of legitimate processes, especially because many of its ideas were alien to the ignorant who are suffering multiple epidemics society of those times.It is very difficult to convince a man of his divine nature, he poor, dependent, and is in constant fear.
Church as a bastion of civilization
Some historians directly accuse the Middle Ages in a variety of crimes against humanity, even where this is not true.For example, some sources take the liberty to say that in the Middle Ages did not develop the science.However, many modern European universities have appeared on the site of a former monastery (Oxford) or the efforts of the clergy (Sorbonne).
There is no denying that almost all education ancient church was (and continues to remain so for many more decades).This is easily explained: a high percentage of the most elementary literate people concentrated in the clergy, and if so - then who is to educate and "unreasonable their brethren," but monks and other clergy?
continuous development of civilization.Let humanity sometimes had to take a step back, but the culture of the Renaissance would have never taken place in the form in which we know it, if it has not passed a thorny road in the darkness of the Middle Ages.So, the great literary works would not appear to light, if they are not preceded by a centuries-old work of many nuggets (whose work we call folklore only because their names remain unknown).If there were no medieval courtly poetics, hardly would be held and "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri and Petrarch's sonnets.
seeds to fall on fertile ground
counterpose the previous era followed - not too correct.Voltaire claimed that the story - it is a myth to which all agreed.It is impossible not to recognize the truth of this witty remarks.History of the Renaissance, the complex and multifaceted phenomenon, can not be interpreted unambiguously.There are plenty of versions explaining this grand event in the annals of mankind, many of whom have a right to exist.
learned from school confident that Renaissance artists suddenly discovered the ancient culture and together began to imitate her, should be recognized as a schematic.For examples of the work of Greco-Roman art is not going away, significant works of ancient authors were translated in Medieval Europe, starting from the VIII century, but no Renaissance not befall another eight centuries.
course, the fall of the Second Rome (Constantinople) in 1453, when a horde of frightened Muslim artists (and not only) rushed to the West, taking with it the library, icons, and (most importantly) their knowledge and experience, has played a huge role.In the end, the influence of Byzantine art in the Renaissance undoubtedly.Let the Roman Church rejected iconography, but she sprang to the other field.Icon of the Mother of God and the famous "Sistine Madonna" by Michelangelo with all the differences - both in technique and in filling - is a picture of the same woman with the same baby.
confluence of favorable circumstances
revival was made possible thanks to the confluence of many factors and reasons, one of them really is that the Renaissance - a kind of response to the Catholic Church, whose influence at that time was enormous, wealth - innumerable, andthe desire for power - insatiable.This situation gave rise to a powerful social protest, few who like the harsh dogma, and prescribed in all spheres of life of asceticism.The man had to constantly feel on a Vishny (and hostile) force which at every moment could fall on him, punishing sins.Requirements holy church contradicts the very human nature.
second factor, of course, is rapidly becoming a state.Secular power, gaining a coherent hierarchy and considerable resources to lead his subjects, is not eager to cede the palm of spiritual power.Examples of violent clashes between the church and the mighty monarchs - not uncommon in history.One of them the Renaissance owes its death.
third reason is probably the fact that the Renaissance - a time when the cultural life happily leave the monastery, where she was locked up for many years, and focus in the rapidly growing and getting rich cities.Severe dogma prescribing artists to write just so and not otherwise, subject to the restrictions and so on. D. Can not cause delight in the truly talented people.They wanted freedom, they got it.
Fourth, an important condition for the birth of the Renaissance, had the money as cynical as it may sound.It is no coincidence as it is rich in those days Italy grateful descendants owe the fact that there was this great style.The Renaissance was not born in poverty.The dogma that the artist must be hungry, is untenable.All of the Renaissance - proof.Creator must also have - and therefore he needs orders, in the media and the space for the use of his talent.
Blessed Florence
All this was in Florence, and not least because of the governor of the city - Lorenzo the Magnificent.The yard was a nobleman blistatelen.The most talented painters, sculptors and architects have found in Lorenzo reliable patron.The city built numerous palaces, churches, chapels and other architectural works.Painters received numerous orders.
As a rule, can be divided into three periods of the Renaissance, but some researchers include another - the so-called Protorenessans still closely associated with the Middle Ages, but it takes on new, filled with light features.One of the most notable events of the time is the construction of Florence Cathedral (XIII century) - magnificent buildings with wonderful interiors.
Early Renaissance
After the "pre-training" on stage by Early Renaissance: the years of beginning and end of the period historians call quite unanimously - from 1420 to 1500. Eighty years needed to be freed from the strict canons dictated by the church, and to address the legacy ofglorious ancestors.During this period, the imitation of ancient models become widespread.Images of the naked human body with loving reflection of the smallest muscles and veins characterized by a new, unknown to Catholic Europe style.Renaissance became a real symbol of the beauty of the Earth, which is sometimes sung in such overt forms that horrified spectators to what some one hundred and fifty years ago.
is not to say that these trends have found understanding in all contemporaries were ardent fighters against the Renaissance, which, thanks to its activities in the field of obscurantism reached dubious eternal glory.A prime example is the head of the Florentine Dominican monastery - Savonarola.He was a perennial critic of humanistic "improper conduct" and did not hesitate to burn the work, so he was outraged.Among the irreversible losses - several paintings of famous masters of the era, including Sandro Botticelli.His hands belong to such famous paintings of the Renaissance, as "Birth of Venus", "Spring", "Christ Crowned with Thorns."I must say that almost all surviving paintings of the author are devoted to biblical themes, and modern man is hard to understand that they might disturb the severe Dominican.
However, the process was started, and it was humanly possible to stop it.Savonarola died in 1498, and the revival continued sweeping the country, gaining new city - Rome, Venice, Milan, Naples.
Among the most notable and characteristic representatives of the Early Renaissance sculptor Donatello called, painters Giotto and Masaccio.During this period of painting it was first applied the laws of perspective, open in the XV century.This subsequently allowed to create three-dimensional, three-dimensional picture of the Renaissance - previously this was not available to artists.
The architecture of the future development asked Filippo Brunelleschi, creating a magnificent dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
High Renaissance
Peak was the third epoch of the Renaissance - High Renaissance.It lasted only 27 years (1500-1527) and is associated primarily with the work of the great masters, whose names are known to every one of us: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.
At this time, the cultural capital of Europe moved from Florence to Rome.The new Pope Julius II (ascended the throne in 1503) was an exceptional man, a great admirer of art, and the owner is quite open-minded.If not for the favor of the cleric, people would not have seen many works of art which is considered the pearl of world cultural heritage.
best masters marked with the seal of genius receive numerous orders.City seething construction.Architects, sculptors and painters working side by side (and sometimes "combining positions"), created their immortal works.At this time, designed and started the construction of St. Peter's Basilica - the most famous and grandiose temple of the Catholic faith.
painting the Sistine Chapel, made Michelangelo's own hand, embodies the whole meaning, goodness and beauty, who gave us the Renaissance artists who have chosen the center of his universe, man (yes, with capital letters): the god-like creature, the creator of which possibilities are almost limitless.
Everything comes to an end
In 1523, Pope Clement VII, and became immediately involved in the war with the Emperor Charles V, creating a so-called Coniacian league, which included Italian city-states of Florence, Milan, Venice and France.Pontiff did not want to share power with the Habsburgs and had to pay for it the Eternal City.In 1527 the army of Charles V, long time did not receive a salary (Emperor overspend during the war), first besieged and then stormed and sacked Rome in its palaces and temples.Great town depopulated and the High Renaissance came to an end.
Britannica claims that as the integrity of the historical Renaissance century (1420-1527), who ruled in the blessed Italy ended.Those who do not agree with the drafters of the most famous in the world directory, called the period that began after 1530, the late Renaissance and still can not come to a consensus, and when it ended.There are arguments in favor of the 1590s and 1620s and even the 1630s, but hardly some residual effects may be signs of an era.
Period of Degeneration
At this time, very diverse cultural events, there are currents that are considered to be manifestations of the crisis and degeneration in the art (such as the Florentine Mannerism).It is characterized by a certain pretentiousness, excessive detail, focusing on "the idea of the artist," available only to a narrow circle of connoisseurs.Sculpture, architecture and painting of the Renaissance who lived in the relentless search for harmony gave way to unnatural postures, endless whorls and monstrous colors inherent in the new trends in the art world.
However, while talking about the final destruction of the early Renaissance.In some cities continue to live in Italy of the Renaissance artists who remain faithful to the great traditions.So, the great Titian, which can be considered the brightest representative of the Renaissance, worked in Venice until 1576.
Meanwhile Italy and Europe come upon hard times.Following the unimaginable freedoms in the Middle Ages, which brought with it the era of the Renaissance, came a severe reaction.Refurbished Holy Inquisition again took the reins in his hands.In areas burned fires - the fire devoured and heretics, and their works.
were destroyed almost all the books made the new Pope Paul IV to the Roman "Index of prohibited books" (just before the corresponding lists were published in the Netherlands, Paris and Venice).Proceedings of the inquisitors were serious, because it is in the Renaissance came the printing press - at the end of the XV century Guttenberg was able to create the first printed Bible.Heretical appeal Renaissance humanists flew, of course, not millions, but the holy fathers had something to do.
Historians say that religious persecution in Italy were the most ruthless in Europe - a cruel retribution for an age of freedom and beauty.
Northern Renaissance - one of the phenomena of the Renaissance
Most often, when we speak of revival, have in mind the Italian Renaissance - a phenomenon was born and reached its heyday here.Today, entire cities in Italy can be considered as monuments of architecture, painting and sculpture of the era.
But, of course, among the Apennines Renaissance is not limited.The so-called Northern Renaissance originated in Europe, closer to the middle of the XVI century and has given the world many beautiful works.A characteristic feature of this style was a greater influence of the medieval Gothic art.Here the ancient heritage has been given less attention, both in Italy and to the subtleties of anatomy show great indifference.The Creator of the Northern Renaissance era are Dürer, Van Eyck, Cranach.In the literature, the event was marked by the works of Shakespeare and Cervantes.
Influence of Renaissance culture can not be overstated: it is huge.Rethink and enrich the culture of antiquity, the Renaissance created his - and gave mankind a huge amount of immortal works of art that will certainly improve the world in which we live.
