Italian Renaissance

 Gina Christopher

The Renaissance was a historic revival when artists, architects, and artisans looked to Ancient Greece and Rome. The most important art during this time were paintings and sculptors and the most important buildings were churches and private places. The first works belonging to the Renaissance were in Northern Italy. It’s important to note that during this time there was a shift from a God-centered concept of the world to a man/individual-center concept of the world, which was one of the first steps toward the modern age. Now let’s take a lot at some of the art, architecture, and furniture that had a big influence during the Italian Renaissance. 

My favorite art/architecutre/ furniture 

Palazzo Farnese 

The Palazzo Farnese was completed by Michelangelo. Many Palazzo’s during this time introduced the classic orders to the facade and had a central courtyard. Living places were on the higher floors and shops or public spaces were on the first floor. The Palazzo Farnese is a massive rectangular shape with arches, columns, pilasters, corbels, triangular pediments, and tabernacle Windows. 

Sistine Chapel paintings

Michelangelo turned the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel into a masterpiece. He painted it himself to look like architecture, a singular endeavor of heroic proportions. Many small paintings are on the ceiling, such as The Creation of Adam, and The Deluge. Each painting tells a different story. The Renaissance is the only place we see detailed ceiling paintings like this. 

Savonarola Chair 

This chair is named after the Dominican monk Girolamo Savonarola. He was an important religious figure, which is why this chair has religious meaning. The austere lines of the chair reflect the religous attribute of asceticism. Not only is furniture representing Bibical relationships, but so did the paintings of this time. See the pattern!

Current Applications 

Italian restaurant paintings

Many Italian restaurants have paintings of angles and biblical stories on their ceilings. I can’t remember the name of a specific restaurant I’m trying to recall be it was like a childhood memory for me. Today I finally put the pieces together and it is totally influenced from the Italian Renaissance. I love being Italian!

 

Versace Mansion 

The Versace Mansion was Gianni Versace’s home until he was murdered. Now it is a hotel and restaurant. The Versace Mansion embodies a lot of Italian Renaissance concepts. There are  columns, arches, a flat roof, and a courtyard. There is also a lot of art in the villa such as statues, stained glass, wooden designs, and more. I want to go to dinner here!

Modern Savonarola Chair 

There are modern day chairs or stools that resemble the Savonarola chair, I’ve used one before! Today, they run pretty high in price for a nice one. The difference here is the religious reasoning for the chair is dismissed and it’s more about having a chic seat. 

One Step Further 

Michelangelo 

Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy. He was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. Frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Statue of David sculpture, and the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica were some of Michelangelo’s most famous works. He did all his works with immense care and everything has a particular reason, down to the way David is holding in sling.  He single handily carried the arts during the Italian Renaissance in my opinion.

(His most famous sculpture- The State of David)

Extra Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tErGRsGKLeI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=bK01bwChrFY