Renaissance is an era in the history of Europe, which replaced the Middle Ages and preceded a new time. Historians define a different framework for this period. Most often this is the beginning of the XIV - the last quarter of the XVI centuries, in England and Spain - this
the first decades of the XVII century. Its distinguishing features were the secular nature of culture and anthropocentrism.
Each period of the Renaissance brings something different. Thus, the Proto-Renaissance is a preparation for change; Romanesque and Gothic traditions are still strong. It was during this period that the transition to realism and three-dimensional images was made. The Early Renaissance was marked by attempts to come up with something new. Gradually, artists depart from medieval norms and are completely based on antiquity. Next was the High Renaissance, the hallmark of which was the emergence of new monumental buildings, frescoes and sculptures. Completes all the late Renaissance.
The Early Renaissance refers to Italy in the period from 1420 to 1500. It was at this time that the country played a dominant role in the artistic life of Europe. This is where the direction of humanism appears. His difference was that it was dedicated to man and his problems. Previously, the creations of the masters concerned only church histories.
It is believed that the foundations of humanism were laid in Florence. According to historians, the influence of the city had a few wealthy families. For many years they only did that they competed with each other. As a result, the Medici family won. Its head, Cosimo de Medici, became the unofficial ruler of Florence. In the future, different creators flocked to him: artists, writers, sculptors, singers, musicians and so on.
With the coming to power of Cosimo de Medici, the city’s architecture began to change dramatically. Many tricks were adopted from the Middle Ages. Masters carefully studied ancient buildings, paying attention to their decorations. During this period, rules were formed
classic ornament and architecture. For medieval buildings, a distinctive feature was the subordination of parts of the structure of the intuition of the master. The early Renaissance was marked by the arrival of clear geometric shapes, it became important to see the proportions of logic and consistency.
Therefore, the architecture of the early Renaissance sought to combine classical elements with medieval traditions. The masters had the task to organically combine them. They focus on Greco-Roman monuments, trying to create exactly the same free and vast space inside the buildings.
The art of the early Renaissance also has a number of features. First of all, artists are finally moving away from Gothic. In their creations, they elevate man over everyday life. The early Renaissance was marked by an important event - a return to ancient sources. Artists, poets, sculptors, in search of ideas for their creations, turn to Greek mythology and history. In the further development of the era in the visual arts, two new genres appear: landscape - the capture of nature, and portrait - the capture of a person or group of people.