The Renaissance

 

The Renaissance period was an interesting subject to learn about, I knew of the Renaissance period from an art point of view, but I did not really think of it in an architectural sense. The Renaissance was a quite different time compared to the medieval and gothic period. It started in what we now call Italy, though originally it was many different States each having their own ideas and beliefs.

Renaissance architecture truly started in Tuscany in the 13^th  century continuing through to the 15^th century. This is where a new interest in Latin, grammar, philosophy started with less focus on religion. Gothic architecture which had made such an impact on Europe had not made its way to ‘Italy’.

So, what is the Renaissance period? Well, it is such a vast part of architectural history spanning over three centuries during which time you can see how Greek and Roman architectural styles were used to influence and create a whole new style. So, the renaissance is known as the rebirth of art and knowledge.

In this lecture we looked at the different states that make up Italy and learnt about the revolution of the renaissance period. It was interesting to see how it linked back to the Roman and Greek styles but also how architects made it their own.

The inspiration of the Greek Orders which were then adapted to the Renaissance Orders was very interesting and then looking at the architecture and having the link between the Roman Triumphal Arch and renaissance architecture explained helped me to make the connection between the two styles. I now can see the link and understand the influence better.

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Elements_of_classical_columns

https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2973/triumphal-arch-of-orange/

I have always thought, even though I have not been there in person, that historical Italian architecture is beautiful in its style. It is so clever how perspective, which you would link with artwork and painting, benefits the final effect of the structure.

Out of all the architects from the different centuries we looked at, Donato Bramante from The High Renaissance era this was fascinating. As an architect he did many things in his life but what I think I found so interesting about him was his eye for detail and his consideration of all aspects of a building. He looked at the past for inspiration but also contemporary artists that used perspective such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian man. Bramante used the theory of the Vitruvian Man as a starting point to alter the layout of a religious space. I learned that in the Renaissance the belief was that the church was the centre of the earth and he reflected this in his designs.

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna46204318

As this was such an important point, when Bramante came to start designing a new St Peter Cathedral in Rome after it was demolished in the early 15^th century he used Leonardo da Vinci Vitruvian man as a starting point creating a circular space with 4 semi circles coming off that on big circle. The circle representing the earth. St Peter Cathedral had 3 other architects working on adapting Bramante design after he died until finally the last architect Michelangelo came up with the final design using Bramante’s as it starting point. St Peter Cathedral has had many different architects work on the outside and other parts of it but the heart of the Cathedral will always be the work of Bramante, Peruzzi, Sangallo and Michelangelo.   

https://archimaps.tumblr.com/post/613857268536115200/various-design-projects-for-st-peters-basilica

https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-stock-image-st-peter-s-basilica-late-renaissance-church-located-vatican-city-designed-principally-donato-bramante-michelangelo-image45106164