Introduction to the Renaissance

Hi! My name is Hannah and I’m an Elementary Education major here at Central Washington University. I am very fascinated with art history because it is such an interesting visual approach to understand and interpret history. When I become a teacher, I hope to use my knowledge of art history as a tool for introducing history to my students. I have some familiarity with the history of the Renaissance but I look forward to expanding my knowledge of this era and following periods throughout the quarter.

The Renaissance was a period in European history from about 1400-1600 that revolved around an intellectual movement within society. During this period following the middle ages, an academic and scholarly culture emerged. Although nearly 500 years have passed, art created during the Renaissance continues to be highly regarded throughout society. This era was fueled by the desire to gain new knowledge concerning art, science, literature, technology, and more. Today, these subjects are still vital aspects of our culture, which may explain why people are so fascinated by the Renaissance.

Art from this period was inspired the ambition to learn, which led to the creation of many important artistic styles and techniques. This beautiful artwork was often used as an outlet to illustrate and document the enormous amount of information gained during this era. Artwork from the Renaissance is incredibly realistic because of the extensive use of detail, perspective, proportion and color. During this period, artists experimented with these techniques and became skilled at creating lifelike artwork. These characteristics make it easier for the viewer to understand and interpret the art. Throughout the Renaissance, artists created artwork that reflected real life, utilizing people as the subject and focus, to make their pieces esthetically pleasing to the public. People often think art from the Renaissance is some of the “best” artwork in history because it is so realistic and believable. While some people have a very broad and open-ended definition of art, others believe that art consists of skilled drawing, painting, sculpting and more. The realistic art from the Renaissance illustrates some of the most magnificent and detailed and lifelike examples of drawing, painting, and sculpting in history.

Although there were countless artists throughout the Renaissance, people often connect famous artists, such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, with this era. These men were not only artists, but also brilliant intellectuals who studied many other subjects in addition to art. Scholarly artists appeal to viewers today because of their intriguing personal histories and the history of their artwork. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci combined their knowledge of other subjects into their art to create accurate portrayals of the real world. These talented artists experimented with techniques, such as perspective and proportion, in order to accurately portray the world.

As a progressive society, people today continue to be fascinated by the artwork and culture of the Renaissance. The timeless art produced during this era will be appreciated and respected throughout history because of its innovativeness and realness.