The RenaissanceThe Renaissance

1400-16001400-1600

What is the Renaissance?What is the Renaissance?

““Rebirth” of Rebirth” of ancient learning, ancient learning, artistic styles, and artistic styles, and topicstopics

Balance, simplicity, Balance, simplicity, restraint, restraint, naturalism naturalism

Where did it begin? Where did it begin?

FlorenceFlorence BankingBanking Medici Medici

Lorenzo de Medici (“the Magnificent”), c. 1478, by Andrea del Verrocchio

Competition for the Baptistery Competition for the Baptistery Doors, 1401Doors, 1401

Sacrifice of IsaacSacrifice of Isaac 7 competitors7 competitors Finalists:Finalists:

Lorenzo GhibertiLorenzo Ghiberti Filippo BrunelleschiFilippo Brunelleschi

Brunelleschi25.5 Kilograms

Ghiberti18.5 Kilograms

Lorenzo GhibertiLorenzo Ghiberti North Doors (1403-North Doors (1403-

24)24)

Renaissance SculptureGhiberti’s Gates of Paradise

1425-14521425-1452

Brunelleschi’s formulation of linear

perspective -- the proportionment of

figures in accordance with the convergence

of parallel lines in a visual field

BRUNELLESCHILINEAR PERSPECTIVE

Masaccio – Masaccio – The Tribute Money The Tribute Money (1425)(1425)Simultaneous Narration, Linear PerspectiveSimultaneous Narration, Linear Perspective

Brunelleschi’s Il Duomo:370 feet high and 146 feet in diameter

The Revival of the Classical The Revival of the Classical NudeNude

Rejection of the Rejection of the medieval view of medieval view of the body as the the body as the wellspring of sinwellspring of sin

Donatello (1386-Donatello (1386-1466)1466) David (1432), the David (1432), the

first life-size nude first life-size nude sculpture since sculpture since antiquity (5’2”)antiquity (5’2”)

Sandro Botticelli Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510)(1445-1510) Birth of Venus (1482)Birth of Venus (1482)

Donatello’s David

• Calm classical repose thinking about his victory

Donatello – Donatello – David David (1432)(1432)

Renaissance Renaissance in Musicin Music

1450-16001450-1600

The Problem with MusicThe Problem with Music

No ancient modelsNo ancient models The Renaissance in music is not a The Renaissance in music is not a

rebirth of ancient musical style rebirth of ancient musical style

The Renaissance in MusicThe Renaissance in Music

Hundred Years’ War (1338-1453)Hundred Years’ War (1338-1453) England vs. FranceEngland vs. France Took place in FranceTook place in France

The English took their music with The English took their music with themthem

Le Champion des damesLe Champion des dames14421442

……But their discant did not possess a melody of such But their discant did not possess a melody of such delight-delight-

They tell me, who can bear witness-They tell me, who can bear witness-As G. Dufay and Binchois write.As G. Dufay and Binchois write.

For they now have a novel way of making brisk, For they now have a novel way of making brisk, sweet combinationssweet combinations

In music soft, or loud and gay,In music soft, or loud and gay,……They have put on the countenanceThey have put on the countenanceOf Englishmen, like Dunstable,Of Englishmen, like Dunstable,So that a wondrous eleganceSo that a wondrous eleganceMakes their song glad and notable.Makes their song glad and notable.

Contenance angloiseContenance angloise

PanconsonancePanconsonance John Dunstable (1390-1453)John Dunstable (1390-1453) English DiscantEnglish Discant

Burgundy Burgundy Guillaume Du Fay (1397-1474)Guillaume Du Fay (1397-1474) Gilles Binchois (1400-1460)Gilles Binchois (1400-1460)

The New StyleThe New Style

FauxbourdonFauxbourdon Cantus firmus massCantus firmus mass

HumanismHumanism Head motiveHead motive

ChansonChanson

The New Style:The New Style:CadencesCadences

Octave LeapOctave Leap

AuthenticAuthentic