14th c. Early Italian Renaissance
“Observe the bean sprout!”
Sprouts (artists) were trying to break free from the dirt (dark medieval ages) and reach the sun
(fame) but it couldn’t do it without 3 strong roots (economic growth, interest in Humanism, and
personal growth)! Wow, look at that nature!
Context
1.
2.
3.
Italy is a collection of powerful city-states ruled by oligarchs or despots over a variety of political structures which were fife with
internal conflicts and instability.
Papacy and Church at pinnacle of power- Pope in Rome a military power in S. Italy and political in Europe.
Florence: The Ghibellines are loyal to imperial ideal (aristocrats) vs. the Guelphs who are loyal to the Pope- middle class) !
becomes (along with Rome) the banking capital in Europe (rise in textile and wool trade)
4.
5.
1204!Constantinople is captured by Crusaders ! Rise of Byzantine artists in Italy
Cult of the Virgin continues and expressed in many paintings of the Madonna Enthroned (Queen of Heaven)
6.
c. 1220! St. Francis active– established preaching order, made a saint in 1228
7.
8.
1348! The Black Death begins ! leads to Europe’s political downfall as a major power
Influence of the Medici Family ! major patrons of artworks and artists
Timeline
Need to know date:
1300: Early Renaissance
(Giotto)
1181-1226
St. Francis of Assisi
Artworks
Artist
Artwork
Date
Key Idea
Berlinghieri
Saint Francis Altarpiece
1235
Byzantine style
Cimabue
Madonna Enthroned w/ angels and prophets 1280
cult of Mary
Giotto
Madonna Enthroned
1310
Great New Style
Giotto
Lamentation (at the Arena Chapel)
1305
Maniera Greca
1209
Franciscan Order founded
1215
Dominican Order founded
1265
Dante Alighieri (author of
The Divine Comedy)
Duccio
Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints
1308
Sienese style
Martini
Annunciation Altarpiece
1333
International style
1305
Papacy moved to Avignon
Lorenzetti
Allegory of Good and Bad Gov’t
1338
Perspective, landscape
1348
The Black Death!
Daddi & Orcagna
Madonna and Child with Saints
1346
tabernacle
Nicolo Pisano
Pulpit panels at Pisa
1259
classicizing
Cambio
Florence Cathedral
1246
Tuscan Romanesque
1378
Beginning of Great Schism
(Avignon vs. Rome)
* You must be able to identify the artist with the artwork!
Vocabulary
pulpit
plague
Chiaroscuro
perspective
stigmata
grisaille
Trecento
allegory
altarpiece
Maestrà
tempera
Maniera greca
International Gothic Style