The primary focus of the painters of the Early Renaissance was the imitation of
nature and the creation of a believable three-dimensional reality on flat surface
of a painting. The Early Renaissance in visual art encompasses the first half of the 15th
century, and in Italy, Florentine artists took leadership in the development of a
new style of painting focusing on illusion.
Just as Athens assumed commercial and cultural preeminence in the ancient
world, Florence became the center of commerce and cultural activity in 15th century
Italy. Florentine artists were part of what is known as a "Renaissance" or "rebirth"
of classical Greek and Roman ideals. This interest in classical antiquity did not
take place overnight but evolved slowly out of an increasing interest in secular ideas.
The 15th century scholars of antiquity, or the Humanists, began to use Latin texts as models
for their own works.
Probably the most important result of the study of classical texts was the
development of interest in the understanding of the natural world. While the Middle
Ages was an "age of faith," and the goal of human existance was the salvation of the
soul, the Early Renaissance was the "age of man." During the 13th century, the
Franciscan and Dominican movement prompted the beginnings of the humanization of
religion which established a connection with humanistic ideas emerging from
an interest in classical antiquity. Humanists believed firmly in the
pursuit of languages, literature, history and philosophy for its own end--all
in a secular rather than a religious setting. Out of this the university emerged as an
institution of learning. For a more detailed description of Humanism, follow this link
to the Library of Congress: Humanism.
In addition to the rise of Humanism, several other socio-economic factors
contributed to the emergence of the Renaissance in Italy. During the 15th century,
Florence experienced economic change with the rise of a middle class economy and
the emergence of capitalism. Patronage for art transferred from the clergy to the
middle class merchant who wanted more material representations of the world.
The renaissance emphasis on the material world overwhelmed the medieval emphasis
on the realm of the spiritual. The new patron for art demanded faithful depictions
of nature. This, together with the renewed interest in classical antiquity, increased the
artists' desire to capture physical reality on the flat surface of a painting.
During the 15th century a very powerful family of Florentine bankers, the Medici,
began to patronize the Italian art world. Their avid support helped to mold
the course of western art. Follow "Medici" to Europe for a more detailed description of the Medici dynasty.
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