Renaissance Vs Middle Ages Architecture Essay

990 words - 4 pages

From innovative advancements to grand masterpieces, the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods were pivotal periods in our history that today are still greatly recognizable and appreciated for their beauty and awe inspiring captivation of humanity. The Middle Ages, a time of great turmoil, forced people to seek order in their lives and stay alive through dependence on community while the Renaissance period pushed the boundaries of personal enlightenment and ‘rebirth’ of classical humanism. Throughout the 700 year period, the development and advancements of innovations, art, and humanities clearly deviates between the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, displaying a striking portrayal of ...view middle of the document...

Challenged with plagues and illnesses throughout the centuries, societies endured the pressures of a difficult economy, reducing populations, and societal unrest. The infamous and devastating “Black Death” drove continued economic and societal turmoil until the slowdown in the late 15th century. After the ‘Black Death’ started to taper off, the population greatly increased and a new economic middle class emerged that contributed to the flourishing times and rebuild of the Renaissance.

Similarities amongst the two periods in addition to the onset of dramatic plagues and newborn illnesses included the consistent subject of religion in artwork, sculptures, and architectural inspirations. Although reflected through different observations, the importance of religion during both periods is evident through biblical storytelling of heroes including David of David and Goliath.
With very few similarities, there were however many vast differences between the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. During the Middle Ages there was a dependency on community and the Catholic Church controlled much of everyday life (Bishop, 1968) whereas the Renaissance brought about education, embracement of life, and naturalism resulting in Renaissance art portraying humanism (Renaissance, 2002). While medieval art was meant to teach a lesson, Renaissance art glorified the humanity of the individuals being portrayed.

In addition to advancements in science, art, education, and societal culture, architecture also changed during the two time periods. Termed ‘gothic architecture’ the Middle Ages evolved from the Romanesque architecture of the 6th to 10th century (Middle Ages, 2001). Characteristically known for the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress, this period produced many of the great castles, cathedrals, abbeys, and churches, including the Notre Dame de Paris in France (Middle Ages, 2001). With no hemispherical domes or columns, the Notre Dame is considered one of most famous buildings of this time period. With focal point gargoyles built for water run-off and additional small statues used for outside column supports, the building’s overshadowing appearance and intricate stained glass windows show the heavy influence of naturalism during this time...

Michelangelo Buonarroti Essay

1130 words - 5 pages gladly replaced by Michelangelo’s works of art. BIBLIOGRAPHY Kleiner, Tansey. Gardner’s Art Through The Ages Tenth Edition II Renaissance And Modern Art. Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996 Ventura, Piero. Michelangelo’s World. Canada: Milan 1989 Cumming, Robert. Great Artists The Lives of 50 Painters Explored Through Their Work. New York : DK Publishing, 1998 Britain Express. "Medieval Architecture and Art". 30 Dec

Renaissance Essay

1649 words - 7 pages considered their protector. The construction began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC, although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 432 BC. It is considered the most important surviving building of the Classical period (Parthenon 2011). Renaissance Art period meaning “rebirth” began in Italy during the fourteenth century and lasted through the sixteenth century. The renaissance period was the end of the middle ages and the start of the

Riwti Task 1

1121 words - 5 pages to the renaissance. Art during the early middle ages went through many changes up to the early renaissance period. The Middle Ages art style known as the Byzantine art; while the dark ages followed by the medieval era of (1066- 1448 AD) encounter changes. Furthermore, the middle ages art and saw the emergence of early renaissance art. (WGU on line quote) The artist, by the name of Giotto di Bonedone, is one of the most famous people of the

Different of Art

2609 words - 11 pages and two dimensions. No new art form, new artist or philosopher came out in middle age. The practice of art was decline in that time. People were busy to please of God. The Renaissance took place in Italian when Western Europeans "rediscovered" much of the art, architecture, philosophy, legal principles, and other advancements of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The Renaissance is also called cultural movement. In this time classical text was revived

Rennaissance And Baroque

1566 words - 7 pages The Renaissance and Baroque Periods Renaissance is a word of French origin and means new birth and is the name given to the period in which humans were inspired to throw away the constraints of the Middle Ages and experienced an awakening of the mind and a thirst for new knowledge. The Renaissance began in the early 15th century and is considered to be the beginning of modern history. The emergence of the Renaissance style coincided

Show the Social, Cultural, and Historical Characteristics of the Extract (Act 1, Scene 1) in Relation to the Renaissance

1924 words - 8 pages norm of society laid down by the dictates of the church. The spirit of the Renaissance was above all secular as Renaissance scholars shrugged off the medieval preoccupation with religion and rejected the restrictions of the Middle Ages in order to develop new ideals, enthusiasm, and interests. Humanism, nationalism, a new approach to life, a new spirit in art, architecture, literature and learning, the growth of vernacular languages, and scientific

Why Is the Renaissance Significant?

604 words - 3 pages ). Before the Dark Ages, common people did not have any freedom. They were like birds trapped in a cage. People who were at the lower level of society were oppressed & constantly pushed down. For the oppressed people it was like being in a pitch black cave. The Renaissance brought change in the minds of the common population. People now were able to paint what they want, write what they want & create what they wanted. If the Renaissance

Gothic Revival vs Italianate

1593 words - 7 pages Gothic architecture as their new style. They used Gothic architecture as a symbolic message of expressive piety similar to European cathedrals. During the middle ages in Europe, Gothic cathedrals were enormous and overpowering, dwarfing individuals in the architecture to impress upon him the power of God. To American churches, the medieval, Gothic style was purposeful and fitting to the principles and functions of the church. Moving into the last

The Gothic Age

1833 words - 8 pages today’s architecture development are the gargoyles. While these fearsome creatures may seem grotesque at first glance, give them another look. You'll find they have their own special charm. Their main purpose was to protect and ward off evil. How the Gothic style influenced Cultures To Be Completed Still Conclusion At the end of the research – the team will be able to highlight how Gothic Art played a big part in the Middle Ages and

Humanism During the Renaissance

952 words - 4 pages Humanism during the Renaissance What separated the Middle Ages from the Renaissance was the idea of humanism. Humanism, during the Renaissance, was the revival of classical Latin and Greek writing used for evolving the ideas of mankind. Humanism had its own followers as well; they were called humanists. Humanists’ trained in the humane letters of ancient classics, and employed to use those skills to lead a moral and effective life. Humanists

RenaissanceandBaroqueComparison

904 words - 4 pages Renaissance and Baroque Comparison There are two eras in the history of Western Art that had many achievements from art to music and literature. The period following the middle ages called the Renaissance was a cultural movement that began from the late 13th century to the 17th century. The arts, music and literature that came out of this period helped in developing the Baroque period which coincided with the 17th century. These two historical

Middle Ages Vs. Renaissance Essay

963 words - 4 pages Middle Ages vs. Renaissance For a millennium, the medieval mind dominated European civilization. In the wake of the Black Death that devastated much of the continent, a new age arose from the ashes of the Middle Ages. This age, known famously as the Renaissance, was an era of economic recovery, revival of classical ideas, flowering of European culture especially in the arts, decline of papal power, and ultimately, the birth of the modern

Humanities Essay

1284 words - 6 pages religious admiration to classic inspiration between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. During the Middle Ages, architecture was designed specifically for making advancements in the church. Medieval cathedrals had distinctive features such as pointed arches, flying buttresses, and massive stained glass windows. Renaissance architecture was modeled after the classic Greek and Roman structures and was built with geometry, symmetry, and

The Classical And The Renaissance Art Periods

1291 words - 6 pages The Classical and the Renaissance are both famous art periods in history. The Classical period was the time when the Greek and Romans still had their empires and ruled. The Renaissance period was the time when artists broke off from the Middle Ages and started their own movement. The Classical and Renaissance are alike in many of their art styles; there are only a few differences between the two art periods. Ultimately, the Renaissance was a

Renaissance And Medieval Architecture Essay

2566 words - 11 pages The Renaissance Era is remembered as the age of revival of Greco-Roman or of the old antiquity in Europe. But what caused this revival? The Medieval Era, or Middle Ages was Renaissance’s predecessor. During the Medieval Era, Gothic and Romanesque Architecture was seen throughout Europe. Since Renaissance followed the Middle Ages, it is possible to describe their differences throughout Europe. The changes that happened throughout culture