Johnson's View of the Renaissance - Essay Example

? Johnson's view of the Renaissance Renaissance, the cultural movement that spanned 14th century to 17th century, has imprinted its indelible marks in history as a movement that could bring out tremendous changes in all spheres of society. It has often been referred to as one among the greatest cultural movements that could change even the history of a nation. Even history has been divided as before and after Renaissance. Historians have examined the signs of Renaissance in art, literature, painting, science, religion and politics. A new perspective based on classical learning and principles was able to be seen in each and every field of human life. Many viewed Renaissance as a link or bridge flanked by the middle ages and the modern age. One cannot analyze Renaissance without regarding the monumental genius that emerged in Italy. The great heroes like Dante, Leonardo and Michelangelo still exist in human imagination. Scholars have marked various views and perspectives about the event of Renaissance and their views paved the way for serious discussions and debates about Renaissance. Paul Johnson, the British writer makes some sincere efforts to create perspectives on Renaissance in his book entitled; The Renaissance: A Short History. Unlike others, Johnson says that genius suddenly comes to life and speaks out of vacuum. Johnson criticizes the role of social, economic, cultural factors in the process of making art forms in Renaissance period. The role of social, economic and technological developments in Renaissance art and literature also examined. In his views about Renaissance art and literature, Johnson reveals the greatness of Renaissance artists and their great works. Paul Johnson embellishes a variety of statuses such as journalist, speechwriter, historian and author among the literary figures of 19th and 20th century in England. As a man of inexhaustible literary craftsmanship, Johnson explores his knowledge through a series of journal articles and books. Through the book entitled; The Renaissance: A Short History, Johnson makes an attempt to revaluate the term Renaissance. In the beginning of the book The Renaissance: A Short History, Johnson shares his initial views about the term Renaissance with the readers. Johnson reveals that Renaissance was first and foremost a human event put forward by number of individuals having an outstanding ability. Johnson reminds the reader that it is possible to find satisfying answers about the causes and characteristics of Renaissance. But it is impossible to explain Dante and Chaucer and their outstanding talents. Here, one can easily find that Paul Johnson’s concept about Renaissance raises some serious questions and discussions. Johnson states that genius suddenly comes to life and speaks or acts out of a vacuum and after it are silent. In this respect Mr. Johnson comments "the Renaissance was primarily a human event, propelled forward by a number of individuals of outstanding talent, which in some cases amounted to genius" (Slantchev). Johnson consciously keeps away from the possibility of the role of a particular time and place in the process of get hold of genius. Social, cultural and religious factors influence of a particular period of time influences the process making artistic works in that period. Influence of contemporary writers and their mannerisms is crucial in literature and other forms of art. Melissa Snell observes that “genius was provided a time and place in which to flourish and to inspire others” (Snell). Johnson sees Renaissance as a period of human evolution that promoted by the developments of various factors such as, economic, and technology in that period. These developments have a close relationship with the lives and works of important figures of that period. The second chapter of the book entitled the literary and scientific progress gives the idea of the transformation of literature. The decline of the power and governance of Catholic Church and its teachings and the emergence of Classic themes in literature are portrayed. When the time of scrutinizing the works of Dante, Johnson clearly remarks the fact that Dante develops a new concept of humanism which is absolutely different from conventional way. Here, Johnson underlines a shift from religious outer world to the inner conflicts of human life. Before the emergence of Renaissance, writers and artists work for or use their literary skills to establishing propagandas of an assortment of social institutions like church and universities. Jonson put in plain words his views about Renaissance more clearly in the chapter on sculpture. Here Johnson put side by side the works of medieval period and the works of modern age. The higher standard of artistic craftsmanship which demanded and provided in the Renaissance period ensures quality which is inconceivable in modern time. In case of Renaissance painting, Johnson make out the principles and ideologies of shortening, visualization of reality which practiced by the painters and artist. Johnson describes Renaissance in the background of paintings and pictures. It is clear for a reader that Johnson observes Renaissance period as an age of the deterioration of the power of Church and its influence on common man. In his view, loosening of the iron grip of the Church helped the emergence of Classic works. Johnson criticizes the modern paintings through referring its effort to go after Renaissance painting. In spite of discussing various techniques and approaches implied by the artists, Johnson clearly describes the most significant building block of searching the quality and standard of excellence. Thomas Kingston Derry and Trevor Illtyd Williams made some similar observations which Johnson put forward about Renaissance. They remark; “Both the artistic achievements of the Renaissance, and still more, the technology and craftsmanship on which the architect, the sculptor and the painter depend could be described in print” (Derry & Williams 38). Here, a reader can understand that beyond the supports and influences of various external factors like politics, religious, culture and society, Renaissance art and literature keep great value and perfection in its content. Johnson carry on that the competition among the artists was not only victory meant patronage but the how judgments were formed and how artist’s self –worth was defined. Today, one can see mass approval is taken in the field of art and literature but it be deficient in quality and soul. The competition like the one between Michelangelo and Leonardo in Florence is not viable at present. Johnson finds that external forces like material benefits, personal gratification and financial profits by no means influence the quality of particular art forms. It is clear that Johnson’s explanations make known that Renaissance art and literature keep quality and their o soul. For that reason, Johnson strongly argues that the greatness of Renaissance art forms is associated to the mastermind of the creators. Considering the views of Johnson about the Renaissance architecture, one can comprehend that the man keeps his stand strong and stable which he revealed in the cases of Renaissance paintings and literature works. Renaissance artists were not only artists but also good critics. They had kept artistic craftsmanship as well the ideologies of self criticism. Finally Johnson expresses his views about the spread and decline of Renaissance. In his opinion, the reunification of Church and its associated institutions negatively affected the growth and development of Renaissance. In conclusion, it is obvious that Paul Johnson sees Renaissance as a human event that makes the smooth progress by number of brilliant personalities with outstanding skills in art, literature, painting, politics and religion. Johnson’s observations underline the unique quality and standard of Renaissance art and literature. Johnson identifies the role of social, cultural economic and technological developments in the process of making great works in art. Johnson notices that competitions and material benefits never affect the content or soul of the Renaissance art forms. Johnson evaluates the Renaissance artists as good artists and good critics. Mass acceptance was not an evaluating criterion for various art forms. Johnson repeats the view that genius suddenly comes to the life and speaks out of vacuum. Johnson examines the reunification or the return of Church and its influence on the world and the decline of Renaissance. Works Cited Derry, T. K., Williams T. Illtyd. A short history of technology: from the earliest times to A.D. 1900. Trevor Illtyd Williams. 16th illustrated ed. Courier Dover Publications, 1993. Slantchev, Branislav L. The Renaissance : A Short History by Paul Johnson (Review), 2006. Web. 2 July 2011. Snell, M. Your Guide's Review of the Renaissance : a Short History by Paul Johnson. About.com. http://historymedren.about.com/od/theRenaissance /fr/renshorthis.htm Read More