The Renaissance - An Era of Western Culture

Basilica di San Lorenzo

The Renaissance was a period of "rebirth" in arts, science and European society. It was a time of transition from the ancient world to the modern. It is the standard reference for the study of history of western culture. This sensational period occured approximately between 1400 and 1600. Although some argue that it started earlier.

In 1469 in Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, an Italian statesman and a banker, took over his family business and expanded it across the whole of Europe. He had a good business and invested a lot on the thoughts and ideas of making world a better place. His family and other leaders dwelled on their interest of promoting beauty, truth and wisdom, in the form of art, culture and architecture. He spent a lot to research philosophy and antiquity which was later absorbed in to the biblical sense of Christianity. Lorenzo was believed to be the 'The patron of art'. The great classic artists like Verrocchio, Leonardo, Botticelli, Michelangelo and more, were his court artists. Their inspiration of their amazing art was because of the research of Medici. Thus, typically stating that all arts and cultures of the era were started because of Lorenzo de' Medici.

Lorenzo de' Medici

The leaders and aristocrats of the Renaissance, spent money on arts and architecture. They believed that art is an education. They wanted Renaissance to be remembered as an era of kindness and compassion; that they would achieve the glory that it is, by depicting intelligence, good leadership and society and great imagination. The Renaissance leaders wanted to run their societies peacefully, were people are wise and built magnificent cities. The buildings encased the spirit of rationality, order and harmony. The Italian leaders concluded with the idea : that their cities should be the focus of an unparalleled attention to beauty.

Florence Cathedral

The apparent change in the cities of Renaissance over the years is extremely disappointing. The leaders only wanted to make sure that the buidings convey dignity and calmness, which is more than a luxury. The architects believed in rules. They wrote books and codes to systemize their approach of making a good street, pavement, bench, buiding etc. For example, every building must have ideal dimensions of square, it must have fountains, arcades etc. The public structures should bring comfort. And there are a very few left today.

Every classic artist is from the renaissance and their art is seen as a connect with the society and surroundings. Their depth with philosophy of life, death and rebirth. Renzo's ideas were believed to have grown on lorenzo. The art and culture of Renaissnace was penned earlier by the idea of renzo - lust, glamour and beauty. The key idea was love. That is why there are so many cute people in Botticellis work. The art depicted - thoughtfulness, kindness, sadness and seductivity, all in one frame, inspiring virtuousness and charms.

Map of Renaissance, Europe, 17th Century

Corinthian order

What I have gathered is that the Renaissance is all about using their eyes to see our world and not the other way around. We all must think and build like the renaissance artists, architects and leaders, to better our society with love and compassion, learn how to spend money, study humanities and how to make good cities, basically meaning, change the world for the better.

Matter relates to nature, but the power to wield lineaments (or make designs) resides in the architect’s mind.

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