Observe the Bean Sprout!
This theme is about watching the Gothic painting style transition into the Renaissance art style. The theme in particular can be seen as talking about particular artists, small and young, determined to grow, seeking new economic strength.
Historical Overview
Italy during this time period was dominated by several large city states, each warring with each other, each calling themselves the best. These city states include Florence, Sienna, Milan, etc. All of these cities were centers for intellectuals, artists, and merchants and bankers alike. During this time, bankers were very successful, this led to many donations to the church, which led to an increase of spending of the church, which in turn led to a large amount of religious artworks and artworks commissioned by those with the wealth to afford it.
Around the time of the Proto-Renaissance, the black death hit. Starting in China, the disease spread all throughout Europe, killing 25-50% of the European population in just 5 years time. The black death had a particular impact on religion, because it stimulated a demand for devotional artifacts or images to venerate in hopes of being cured of the diseases, or to not get them at all.
During this time people are becoming more and more humanist. Focusing on the here and now, emotion and beauty, all of this is important to a humanist. This creates a huge difference in the art subjects of the time, with more emotion being portrayed in the artwork, and more emphasis on beauty. However, this is still a transitory stage, from the Medieval times, to Renaissance times. It was also during this time that people began to study and emulate the classics, ancient Greek and Roman art and thinking, leading to a massive change in thought and standards. The Italians had a particularly easy time in studying these classics because they were located right where they lived.
This time in art history marked the period where particular artists are celebrated. This is due to the increase in humanistic ideals, the celebration of the individual. Some of the more important artists of the time were Giotto, Nicola Pisano, Cimabue, Duccio, Martini, Lorenzetti, and many, many more.
Around the time of the Proto-Renaissance, the black death hit. Starting in China, the disease spread all throughout Europe, killing 25-50% of the European population in just 5 years time. The black death had a particular impact on religion, because it stimulated a demand for devotional artifacts or images to venerate in hopes of being cured of the diseases, or to not get them at all.
During this time people are becoming more and more humanist. Focusing on the here and now, emotion and beauty, all of this is important to a humanist. This creates a huge difference in the art subjects of the time, with more emotion being portrayed in the artwork, and more emphasis on beauty. However, this is still a transitory stage, from the Medieval times, to Renaissance times. It was also during this time that people began to study and emulate the classics, ancient Greek and Roman art and thinking, leading to a massive change in thought and standards. The Italians had a particularly easy time in studying these classics because they were located right where they lived.
This time in art history marked the period where particular artists are celebrated. This is due to the increase in humanistic ideals, the celebration of the individual. Some of the more important artists of the time were Giotto, Nicola Pisano, Cimabue, Duccio, Martini, Lorenzetti, and many, many more.