The Fame of Italian Architects, Their Roles and Images during Italian Renaissance - Essay Example

The Fame of Italian Architects, their Roles and Images during Italian Renaissance The aim of this paper is to understand the factors which made Italian Renaissance architect to be more famous than their great gothic predecessors. There was a pattern of transition that has been noted by a number of researchers and historians in terms of change in the image and role of architect during Italian Renaissance. It should be noted that the discussion for this paper is carried out on the basis of extensive research that has been conducted so far regarding the changes and transitions that occurred during the era of Italian Renaissance. Understanding Italian Renaissance It is important to understand the European Renaissance before evaluating the factors that led into the fame of Italian Renaissance architects. European Renaissance is a period of history when a great deal of cultural change was noted. Among different expressions of the Renaissance period, Italian Renaissance remains the most widely known of all because they have distinctive styles to approach design and reality. Other than being the most well-known manifestation of European Renaissance, Italian Renaissance remains the oldest in terms of cultural change. It should be noted that the Italian Renaissance began by the end of thirteenth century as cultural shift became a part of European society. The transition in this era was particularly noted or observed within medieval and early modern ideology. Most of the historians claim that Renaissance itself is a symbol of modernity that took the cultural shift to a complete different level in terms of societal outlook. Among various contributors of Italian Renaissance, Jacob Burckhardt is the most well-known. A number of contributors other than Jacob Burckhardt tried to bring cultural change to a full swing. The fact remains that the change in culture or cultural shift did not attain its finest form until 19th century. Herein, it can be marked that the changes which were noted in the context of architecture during Italian Renaissance was increase theoretical practices. In simpler words, it can be said that the Italian Renaissance architects made use of roman theories for practice. A similar pattern was observed within the field of literature where roman influence was evident in different readings. Therefore, Roman theories were generally accepted which led Italian arts to feel confident about Roman theories in their practices. On evaluation of the classical Italian Renaissance architecture, it comes to understanding that Roman detailing was greatly used and practices such as columns, pilasters, pediments, domes etc. This makes it evident that the architects from the period of Italian Renaissance were able to experiment classical ideas in fusion of modern practical skills. Also, architects of Italian Renaissance were implementing a realistic outlook towards painting and detailing of architectural projects. The effect of three-dimensional was vibrantly used by the artists during Italian Renaissance which was not obviously practiced during early gothic movement of expression. For instance, when Italian artist were noted to gain fame, a competition was held in Florence to find out the best artist. Consequently, the winner of this competition was Lorenzo Ghiberti who was given the role of creating doors made of bronze. Ghiberti carved scenes from the bible on the doors that made it one of the finest examples and symbol of Italian architecture. It will not be incorrect to state that Ghiberti is considered as the father of three dimensional details. As a matter of fact, architects of the Italian renaissance were more inclined towards the subject that they wanted to work with. Thorough researches were used to be carried out in order to inhibit a modern way of architecture. As mentioned above, a competition was undertaken in order to find out the best artist (JAckson). The fact to be noted is that the losers of this competition including Fillippo Brunelleschi travelled all the way to Rome to learn more about architectural techniques. At this point, these artists employed research and maintained few formulas that were later used in the architecture of Italian Renaissance. On the return of these artists to Italy, it was noted that another competition was held. This time, the winner of the competition was Brunelleschi who designed a tomb of cathedral of Florence. The major or creative value of the dome was it was created with modern techniques but with the traditional roman philosophy. Likewise the door of bronze, the dome of Florence was listed among the greatest architectural pieces. One after another, different artists presented masterpieces in the field of architecture that resulted in various new methods of architectural design. After Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, Donatella was noted to come in the front with his creative design of nude figure. He made a sculpture of David, who was a Greek God. This sculpture was one of its kinds that introduced a new wave of architectural design. As noted by the historians, “The Italian Renaissance was a continuous, moveable feast….contends that Italian Luxury (actual or imagined) was irresistible…..Italian architectures…remained the intellectual and artistic property of Italy. Borrowings were changed into local currencies. Only with the illusory concept of luxury applied in the modern sense is there real historical validity, and with luxury applied in the modern sense is there real historical validity, with luxury approach can be concealed with the arguments” (Thomson 161). Italian Renaissance took architecture to a whole new level where realistic expressions and natural colors were used to create master pieces. Most notably the Byzantine effect or tradition was overlooked by the Italian architects. For instance, the master pieces which were created during this era were painted nude. The art pieces which can be seen from different architectural pieces of Italian Renaissance were painted with nude or light shadow to demonstrate shape of the pieces (Tafuri). This was never tried before because it was against the accepted standards of paints where the main art piece had to look extremely bold. The dark and violent strokes of painting were completely made obsolete in the era of Italian Renaissance. A number of researchers provided reasoning for appointment of newer and nude details of sculptures. One interpretation claimed that Italian artist wanted to present reality through their pieces rather than fabricating the true soul. Another interpretation that has been marked in this regard was basically the point that nude reflected need of reasoning. An individual should be free in the crowd to question (Benevolo). Another reason behind the fame of Italian Renaissance architects was the fact that they were supported by merchants by large. It should be noted that merchants from all around the world brought demand notices to these architects. More concern was shown for architectural pieces rather than painting (Mantin). Therefore, these artists began to add in their wealth by creating architectural pieces. Herein, it can be well stated that the roles of architects and different artists were observed to change by large. Architects tried a great deal to make an effective image of the people who were associated with the profession of architecture. Laborers who were rather considered as the backbone of mighty architectural projects were rather called skilled artists in this era. With the help of merchants, it became easier for this profession to gain respect and wealth. Italian artist became increasingly famous throughout the world because they provided a new form of architecture unlike others who followed gothic theory (Rowe and Satkowski). The Italian artists were welcomed by different cultures as they were celebrating innovation and creativity through the context of their architectural pieces. Italian artists and architects were travelling from one corner of the world to another in order gain influence and new formulas. It is for this reason that these artists were demanding different payouts for the work that they created. They enjoyed a great deal of privileges which were granted to them right away (Joost-Gaugier). The architectural design varied from piece to piece providing new vision for the artist. This brought a cultural shift during the Italian Renaissance. The fact to be noted here is that people of Italian Renaissance continue their religious practices despite observing a great deal of modern outlook of design and society as a whole. As stated, “Patrons seized upon Early Christian as well as Byzantine models for much religious architecture in this period, as is evident as the monastery church of San Michele…….It was rebuilt beginning in 1469 by Mauro Codassi who came to Venice from the subject city of Bergamo and became an outstanding proponent of a new classical cycle” (Paoletti and Radke 325). This rather explains that the newer style and poetic architecture details from the point of view of religion. Therefore, artists made sure that their architectural creativity and innovation was greatly inclined towards churches and cathedrals. It is for this reason that people may find many murals and altar pieces within the historic list of art from Italian Renaissance. Whenever there was a need of adding subject matter within the piece of architecture, Italian artists kept referencing Bible for it. However, at the same time, they had the leverage to make use of different master pieces with increased technicalities. There was lesser number of critics in the time of Italian cultural shift because artist and architecture were respected for their master pieces and research for subject matter (Shepherd). Furthermore, it can be stated that the techniques that were employed by Italian artist had a degree of similarities of medieval art. However, Italian renaissance rather brought innovation in the medieval art which created a new way of thinking (Blomfield). It will not be incorrect to state that Italian artists renewed the techniques of traditional patterns with the help of new materials and formulas as well as style. The research that was done prior to the selection of a subject matter rather added a new perspective and angle of creativity which was not done by their gothic precedents (Pugin). Nevertheless, there was still a greater need of ways to spread the message of innovation among common people. At one point, Italian artists changed a great deal of perspective thinking process in accordance to the culture and norms of people. At the same time, it was difficult for majority of the people to practically make use of such creative architectural pieces. Yet, some of the masters and richer population of the era were keen on accepting the change because they could afford such master pieces. However, the by end of 14th century, the grasp of new culture was inhibited by majority of the Italians (Benevolo). During the Italian Renaissance, the roles of architects were not just limited to design and redefine architectural pieces but they were looked upon as opinion leaders. There were a couple of factors that led into the case of change of role of architects. Previously, architects were rather considered as laborers but with the advent of new technicalities, they were able to play different roles within the society. It should be noted that at one point, architects were looked upon as people who provided reasoning for the questions of common people. Thus, they were seen to undertake different roles within the society (Mayernik). Conclusion Through the above in-depth analysis, it comes to understanding that Italian renaissance was the most widely known era of cultural change because architects of this era made use of roman theories to practice art. It has been evaluated in the above discussion that with the advancement in new techniques and innovative formulas, Italian artists were able to gain fame and respect in the society. It was expected of artists to demand riches in return of their masterpieces. Different artists were observed in the era that created great examples of fusion of traditional theories of roman culture and present technicalities. The roles of Italian artists were also linked to that of opinion leaders. In addition, it can be concluded that the Italian artists brought nudes in the field of art leaving the darker sphere of colors away from the stylistics. All the above factors point out the exact reason behind the fame of Italian architects to be wider than their gothic precedents. Works Cited Benevolo, L. The Architecture of the Renaissance, Volume 1. New York: Psychology Press, 2002. Print. Blomfield, R. A Short History of Renaissance Architecture in England 1500-1800. New York: BoD – Books on Demand, 2013. Print. JAckson, T. The Renaissance of Roman Architecture. New York: CUP Archive, 1975. Joost-Gaugier, C. Italian Renaissance Art: Understanding its Meaning. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Mayernik, D. Timeless Cities: An Architects Reflections on Renaissance Italy. New York: Basic Books, 2005. Mantin, P. The Italian Renaissance. New York: Heinemann, 1992. Print. Pugin, A. The True Principles of Pointed Or Christian Architecture: Set Forth in Two Lectures Delivered at St. Maries. London: J. Weale, 1841. Print. Paoletti, J and G. Radke. Art in Renaissance Italy. New York: Laurence King Publishing, 2005. Print. Shepherd, J. Italian Gardens of the Renaissance. London: Princeton Architectural Press, 1925. Print. Rowe, C and L. Satkowski. Italian Architecture of the 16th Century. London: Princeton Architectural Press, 2002. Print. Tafuri, M. Interpreting the Renaissance: Princes, Cities, Architects. London: Yale University Press, 2006. Print. Thomson, D. Renaissance Architecture: Critics, Patrons, Luxury. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1993. Print. Read More