Classical Art & Culture of the Renaissance
Written By: Amayah Meas
Classicism is a style very prominent in all of Renaissance art. Artistic, philosophical, political, and scientific ideas of ancient Greek and Roman cultures were incorporated into European society for centuries leading into the Renaissance, serving as the basis for classical art. Referencing antiquity and historical ideality, sacred subject matter allowed patrons to feel holy and close to Christ. Classicism would influence other art styles in the future, proving to stay relevant as a main influence in Renaissance art.
The architecture in Europe is a great representation of the influence of Classicism on all aspects of society. Buildings like St. Peter’s Basilica designed by multiple artists (Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini being some of the most accredited) serve as a main place of worship and gathering and was commissioned by Pope Julius II. This fact reinforces the idea of how art was often tied to patronage and social hierarchies, similar in prominence to that of ancient Greek cultures. Numerous artists collaborated to build this fascinating building for over a century long. Curved arches, columns, and a large dome inspired the templates of other cathedrals and support the construction of the building allowing it to be a lifelong place of antiquity to reference (similar to the Parthenon, the center of religious life in the powerful city of Athens, Greece – its construction dating back to as early as 400 B.C. shows how heavily influential ancient cultures were in European society centuries later).
St. Peter’s Basilica
Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Raphael, & more
c. 1506 – 1626
Iron architecture
Italian Renaissance
Along with architecture, Classicism is incorporated into Renaissance sculpture. Artists began experimenting with a variety of media in the early Italian Renaissance, just as scholarly ideas inspired by ancient Greek and Roman cultures were as well. Donatello was a sculptor that participated in this practice, proving to be one of the most admired artists of the time. He was fascinated with human expression and technical scenarios and began working on the sculpture of David in the mid 15th century. Standing in the contrapposto pose with his weight on one leg while the other remains relaxed and curved (a popular pose used for figural posture in Renaissance art), David is a life-sized, free-standing sculpture serving as the epitome of idealized human figures of the Classical era. The true meaning of the subject matter is left for interpretation, but the overall heroic nudity and biblical association of the sculpture provided a physical model of sacred and political influence for citizens to be reminded of their significance and right to rebel against tyranny.
David
Donatello
c. 1446 – 1460
Bronze
Early Italian Renaissance
Renaissance scholars studied the two notable concepts of Classical sculpture and anatomy in European civilization. The human ideal of mankind was delivered consistently across works of all different media, reinforcing the idea into everyone’s conscience. The Battle of the Nudes is an engraving by Antonio del Pollaiuolo, a highly influential print of multiple naked male figures, all seeming to be slightly varied copies of one man of perfect physical shape. The men are in action, showing off ridiculously flexed muscles that are borderline impossible to naturally attain. The detailed emphasis on muscle (although not quite accurate) of the ten nearly identical figures reflects the interest in anatomical research of artists and scholars at the time. This engraving was embedded into the list of classical ideals for the human to strive towards achieving, along with many other works of different media.
The Battle of the Nudes
Antonio del Pollaiuolo
c. 1465 – 1470
Engraving
Early Italian Renaissance
Classicism was the inspiration for much of Renaissance art from architecture, sculpture, paintings, and other techniques. The apparent human ideals, physically and religiously, were inspired from those of ancient Greek and Roman cultures. This artistic style of antiquity and sacred history carries into much of the later Renaissance and art periods following, showing that classicism in itself is classic.
References
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History.com Editors. (2018, February 2). Parthenon. History.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/parthenon.
St. Peter's Basilica - opening hours, price and location – rome. Rome by CIVITATIS. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.rome.net/st-peters-basilica.
Classical art and architecture - history+. The Art Story. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.theartstory.org/movement/classical-greek-and-roman-art/history-and-concepts/.
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Marilyn, S. (2011). Art history: Fourteenth to Seventeenth Century art. Prentice Hall.
