9/24 Classical Revival in Renaissance Art and Architecture

Syncretism

Painting
Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) Birth of Venus
Syncretism – Union of different cultures and religions
Myth of Uranus, God of Heaven, unseated by son, a drop of blood in the sea created Venus.
Mysterious birth of divine beauty in the world
Venus (chaste and married love)-Virgin Mary

Botticelli,  Primavera (Spring)

Figures (from Right to Left)            Neo-platonic            Christian

Zephyr and Cloris/Flora            Sensual Love            Eros
Venus the Soul                Platonic Love            (all combined)
Three Graces                    Friendship            Philia
(Splendor, Mirth, and Good Cheer)
Mercury (Messenger of the Gods)        Divine Love            Agape

Sculpture
1401 Competition for doors for Florentine Baptisty of San Giovanni
Subject: The Sacrifice of Isaac
Ghiberti recovered Roman art of lost-wax casting
Finalists: Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) and Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455)
Ghiberti’s North Doors 1402-1423
Ghiberti’s East Doors “ Gates of Paradise,” Commissioned 1425
Cain and Abel
Joseph

Brunelleschi and Donatello in Rome (1401-1416/17)
Excavated ruins and studied classical orders
Doric, Ionic, Corinthian,
Colosseum contained all
Pantheon provided model for Santa Maria della Fiore

Donatello (Donato di Nicccolo di Betto Bardi, 1386-1466)
Classical Revival in sculpture
Master of Bas Relief
Roman Sarcophagus  (Roman)
Pulpit of San Lorenzo (Renaissance)
Marcus Aurelius (Roman)
Gattamaleta (Renaissance)
Statue of Caesar (Roman)
St George (Renaissance)
Portrait Bust (Roman)
Niccolo da Uzzano (Renaissance)
Senator (Roman)
The Prophet (Lo Zuccone) (Renaissance)

Athlete (Greece)
David (Renaissance)

Architecture
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1455)
Santa Maria del Fiore, begun 1296, nave underway 1296
Competition for Dome
Common solution: Vaulting vs. Buttressing
Renaissance plans – centering
Brunelleschi’ plan –barrel vaulting
2 Domes
Interior tapers 7-4 feet, exterior 2 to 1 feet
Materials Change
Building Dome
Consecration
Legacy
Other contributions based on classical forms
Church of San Lorenzo
Ospedale degli Innocenti (Foundling Home)
Pazzi Chapel at Santa Croce