Italy consisted of different states of varying sizes in the 14th century and although the people used the same language, they spoke different local dialects. Florence is an Italian state that since the time of Dante (1265-1321) developed an independent intellect and spirit and took pride in their cultural milestones compared to other states (Bartlett & Bartlett, 2005). Pope Boniface VII was among those people who praised the people of Flores as skillful and successful citizens who helped develop the state. The artists were complemented for their talent and skills, which had brought them numerous successes in Pre-Renaissance paintings of one great artist named Giotto Di Bondone (Bartlett & Bartlett, 2005).
Tremendous economic and political power characterized the Renaissance period in the Italian peninsula. During that era, the Italian city-states were small and economically powerful. It is from the 13 th century that saw many states including; Milan, Venice and Florence stabilize, economically and politically. Politically, cities were distinctly organized; king (Naples, Rome, Milan and Florence), oligarchies (Venice) and (Genoa, Pisa). Political and economic stability gave way for urban and institutional development. Institutional development allowed the cities to form artistic schools and centers.
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During the foundation of artistic schools, Italian independent artistic features and techniques deviated from the mainstream European schools. Further, the development of the art market became the center stone for industrial, economic and banking activities, leading to a period when many individuals trading in the arts sector became wealthy. Politically, Genoa and Venice became trade powerhouses for basic commodities and goods such as glass, salt and silk. Because of their powerful military influence and control of the sea, these two cities became the center for luxury products with Venice becoming the European Capital of printing.
The progressive and aggressive artwork transformation from objects of worship to quality commodities of trade is another important factor during the Renaissance period. Before the change of art into commercial activities, art was principally central to the worship and service of God. Commercialization allowed people from private citizens to public servants to buy art and keep them in offices, public buildings and individual homes.
Patronage phenomenon swept through Italian states, as the need and desire for individual celebration and adornment saw many people buy art, increasing the consumer demand and production. The Italian artists were mobile and travelled across the cities creating and selling art. The freedom of movement made it easy for movement of artists.
Influence of humanism ion Renaissance art
Paintings, architecture, decorative art and sculptures all denote the renaissance art. The emergence of Renaissance art is because of factors that greatly changed music, philosophy, literature and religion. However, among the many factors that influenced the renaissance art, humanism remains the biggest factor. Humanism constitutes the body of ethical considerations and philosophies that give emphasis on how individuals value things. Humanism in effect is a move away from looking at things from the principles of faith to a rather individualist rational thinking. Self-actualization, freedom and individual dignity becomes the rationale for humanism, and during the Renaissance period, it greatly influenced art. Notably, many arts that originated from this period are a reflection of humanism influence on individuals and institutions.
The Renaissance artists focused on human features and earthly things unlike medieval artists whose arts focused on religion and heavenly features. Notably, humanism became the center of the worldlier art, a sharp contrast to medieval art influencing artists to create personalized real life experiences and talent that express human forms in painting and sculptures.
For example, famous painters such as Fra Angelico (c.1400-55), born before Masaccio, continued creating arts like Linajuoli Altarpiece, which portrays the medieval Gothic (Zirpolo, 2009). A painting he made between 1438 and 1440 is a magnificent landmark of Florence Renaissance art that he created for the high alters of San Marco. The painting is a representation of the first appearance of sacra conversazione in the state of Florence. This design shows saints, angels and donors placed in the same place with Christ Child and Madonna. Fra Angelico shows his subjects in the painting engaged in a conversation with each other. His paintings are a reflection of Masaccio's influence on his works.
The painting exemplifies the new dawn of religious art that was springing up across the state. It also shows how Masaccio influenced artists of sculptural designs with a touch of Alberti’s perspective theories (Zirpolo, 2009). During his time, he was commissioned to decorate rooms in San Marco for the monk using traditional devotional pictures. This was one of his greatest works that almost match the Annunciation of 1450 he did for the convent using a traditional theme. His other work was a project in Vatican at the Nicholas V Chapel (Zirpolo, 2009).
Humanism influenced a number of artists who deviated away from the influence of Masaccio to curve their own distinct paths. One of the artists is Sandro Botticelli, born in Florence. Although little is known about him and his early life, he focused his work in sophisticated and rather feminine mythological paintings. He enjoyed his painting career during the early renaissance and his artwork combined Christian and Secular perspectives that portrayed his humanistic intellectual pursuits and passion for Classic Antiquities. His techniques represent an evolution from medieval art to futuristic ideologies that represent the influence of humanism on art. Among his best works is Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap shows his personalized style of accurate use of lines to create realistic objects. Other works he did were Birth of Venus and Primavera that were commissioned to Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco DE Medici that reflects his style that was influenced by Neoplatonic love. He particularly focused on feminine beauty for instance the naked Venus that is an interesting image to his viewers, bright and vivid with angels and mythical creatures all coexisting in harmony (Freedman, 2011).
Architecture just like in art is becoming evolutional in both content and thematic changes attributed to humanistic learning and natural form as well as scientific evolution of human thinking. As opposed to medieval forms of architecture and art that principally centered on religious themes, modernism and science has paved the way for talent, realism and secularism with particular focus on many aspects of human welfare. Naturalism has overtaken old forms of art and architecture, which focused on abstraction of the natural forms.
To conclude, it is evident that humanism has taken over all forms of art, as humanistic learning that sprang from the Renaissance era continues to influence art. The introduction of realism and changes in thematic forms of art make up the major changes in Renaissance as human abstraction naturally died. Common human elements that depict day-to-day life experience indicate the anatomic depiction of how artists use art to express themselves.
References
Bartlett, K. R., & Bartlett, K. R. (2005). The Italian Renaissance . Chantilly, VA: Teaching Company
Freedman, L. (2011). Classical Myths in Italian Renaissance Painting . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Zirpolo, L. H. (2009). The A to Z of Renaissance Art . Maryland: Scarecrow Press.
