The Renaissance (briefly). Brief description of the Renaissance

The history of the Renaissance begins in the XIV century. Still this period is called the Renaissance. The revival has replaced the Medieval culture in Europe and became the forerunner of the culture of modern times. And the Renaissance ended in the 16th-17th centuries, as in every state it has its own date of the beginning and the ending.

Some general information

Distinctive features of the Renaissance are anthropocentrism, that is, an extraordinary interest in a person as an individual and his activity. This also includes the secular nature of culture. In society there is an interest in the culture of antiquity, something like its "revival" is happening. Hence, in fact, the name of such an important period of time appeared. Prominent figures of the Renaissance can be called the immortal Michelangelo, Niccolo Machiavelli and always alive Leonardo da Vinci.

The Renaissance (briefly the main features described in this article) left its ideological and cultural imprint on all the states of Europe. But for each individual country there are individual historical boundaries of the era. And all - because of unequal economic and social development.

There was a Renaissance in Italy. Here his first symptoms were noticeable in the 13th-14th centuries. But firmly the era took root only in the 20s of the XV century. In Germany, France and other powers, the Renaissance arose much later. At the end of the XV century, the highest Renaissance rises. And already in the next century there is a crisis of ideas of this era. As a result of the incident, Baroque and Mannerism occur.

What was this era

The time of the Renaissance is the period when the transition from medieval feudal society to bourgeois begins. This is precisely the stage in history when bourgeois-capitalist relations have not yet been formed, and the social and feudal foundations have already been shattered.

In the era of the Renaissance the nation begins to form. At this time, the power of the kings, with the support of ordinary citizens, managed to overcome the power of the feudal nobility. Until that time there were so-called associations, which were called states solely for geographical reasons. Now large monarchies are born, the foundations of which are nationalities and historical destinies.

The Renaissance is characterized by an incredible development of trade relations between different countries. During this period, grandiose geographical discoveries are made. The Renaissance became the period when the basics of modern scientific theories were laid. So, there was a natural science with its inventions and discoveries. The turning point for the described process is the opening of printing. And it was it that perpetuated the Renaissance as an epoch.

Other achievements of the Renaissance

The Renaissance epoch is briefly characterized by high achievements in the field of literature. Thanks to the appearance of printing, it acquires the opportunities for distribution that they could not afford earlier. Ancient manuscripts that rebelled, like a phoenix from the ashes, begin to be translated into different languages and republished. They travel the world as fast as ever. The learning process has become much easier due to the ability to reproduce on a variety of media the most diverse scientific achievements and knowledge.

The revived interest in antiquity and the study of this period were reflected in religious mores and views. From the lips of Kaluchcho Salutatti, Chancellor of the Florentine Republic, a statement was made that Scripture is nothing more than poetry. In the Renaissance, the Holy Inquisition reaches its peak. This was due to the fact that such a profound study of ancient works could undermine the faith in Jesus Christ.

Early and High Revival

Features of the Renaissance are denoted by two periods of the Renaissance. So, the whole era of scientists are divided into the Early Renaissance and the High Renaissance. The first period lasted 80 years - from 1420 to 1500. Throughout this time, art has not quite got rid of the remnants of the past, but has already tried to combine them with elements borrowed from classical antiquity. Only much later and very slowly the artists, due to the influence of cardinally changing conditions of culture and life, abandon the foundations of the Middle Ages and without a twinge of conscience begin to use the ancient art.

But all this was happening in Italy. In other states, art was subordinated to gothic art for a long time. Only at the end of the XV century the Renaissance comes in Spain and in the states located to the north of the Alps. Here the early stage of the era continues until the middle of the XVI century. But nothing worthwhile for this period was produced.

High Renaissance

The second era of the Renaissance is considered the most grandiose time of its existence. The High Renaissance also lasted 80 years (1500-1580). In this period, Rome becomes the capital of art, and not Florence. All this became possible because of the ascent to the throne of Pope Julius II. He was an ambitious man. He was also famous for his honesty and enterprise. It was he who drew the best Italian artists to his court. Under Yulia II and his successors, a huge number of monumental sculptures are being built, unrivaled sculptures are sculpted, frescoes and paintings are being painted, which today are considered masterpieces of world culture.

Periods of Renaissance art

Renaissance ideas were embodied in the art of that period. But before talking about the art itself, I would like to highlight its main stages. Thus, the Proto-Renaissance or introductory period (approximately 1260-1320), Duchento (XIII century), Trecento (XIV century), and Quattrocento (XV century) and Cinquecento (XVI century) are celebrated.

Naturally, the consistency of the borders of the centuries does not quite coincide with the specific stages of cultural development. The protre-renaissance is marked by the end of the XIII century, the Early Renaissance ends in 1490, and the High Renaissance runs out before the beginning of 1530. Only in Venice it continues to exist until the end of the XVI century.

The Renaissance Literature

Renaissance literature is such immortal names as Shakespeare, Ronsard, Lorenzo Vala, Petrarch, Du Belle and others. It was during the Renaissance that the poets demonstrated the victory of mankind over their own shortcomings and mistakes of the past. The most developed literature was in Germany, France, England, Spain and Italy.

English poetry was greatly influenced by Italian poetry and classical works. Thomas Wyatt introduces the form of a sonnet, which quickly grows in popularity. Also a sonnet created by Count Surrey is also awarded. The history of the literature of England is much the same as the literature of France, although their external similarity is minimal.

German literature of the Renaissance is known for the fact that during this period there were Schwanks. These are interesting and funny stories, which were first created in the form of poems, and later in prose. They talked about everyday life, everyday life of ordinary people. All this was served in a light, playful and laid-back style.

Literature of France, Spain and Italy

The French literature of the Renaissance is marked by new trends. Margarita of Navarre became the patroness of the ideas of the Reformation and humanism. In France, people's and urban creativity began to come to the forefront.

The Renaissance (briefly described in our article) in Spain is divided into several periods: early Renaissance, high Renaissance and Baroque. Throughout the era in the country, there is an increased emphasis on culture and science. In Spain, journalism develops, printing appears. Some writers are interwoven with religious motives and secular ideas of humanism.

Representatives of the Italian literature of the Renaissance are Francesco Petrarca and Giovanni Boccaccio. They became the first poets, who began to expose lofty images and thoughts with frank, vulgar language. This innovation was welcomed and spread in other countries.

Renaissance and art

Features of the Renaissance - is that the human body was the main beginning of inspiration and the subject of research for artists of this time. Thus, emphasis was placed on the similarity of sculpture and painting with reality. The main features of the art of the Renaissance include shining, refined possession of the brush, the game of shadow and light, thoroughness in the process of work and complex compositions. For the Renaissance artists, the main images were from the Bible and myths.

In Renaissance painting, the resemblance of a real person to his image on one or another canvas was so close that the fictional character seemed alive. On the art of the twentieth century, this can not be said at all.

The Renaissance (briefly the main tendencies of it are set forth above) perceived the human body as an infinite beginning. Scientists and artists regularly improved their skills and knowledge by studying the bodies of individuals. Then the prevailing opinion was that man was created in the likeness and image of God. This statement reflected physical perfection. The main and important objects of the Renaissance art were the gods.

Nature and beauty of the human body

Renaissance art paid much attention to nature. A characteristic element of the scenery was a diverse and lush vegetation. Heaven blue-blue hue, which pierced the sun's rays, which penetrated through the clouds of white, were a magnificent background for soaring creatures. The art of the Renaissance adored the beauty of the human body. This feature manifested itself in the refined elements of muscles and body. Uneasy poses, facial expressions and gestures, coherent and clear color palette are characteristic of the work of sculptors and sculptors of the Renaissance period. These include Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and others.