Реферат: The Italian Renaissance (1420-1600)

In thearts and sciences as well as society and government, Italy was the majorcatalyst for progress during the Renaissance: the rich period of developmentthat occurred in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. Because of the number ofdifferent fields in which it applied, ``Renaissance'' is a word with manylayers of meaning. Accordingly, Renaissance painting cannot signify any onecommon or clearly definable style. As Gothic painting had been shaped by thefeudal societies of the Middle Ages, with its roots in the Romanesque andByzantine traditions, Renaissance art was born out of a new, rapidly evolvingcivilization. It marked the point of departure from the medieval to the modernworld and, as such, laid the foundations for modern Western values and society.

TheRenaissance in Italy started gradually, its beginnings being apparent even inGiotto's work, a century before Masaccio was active. The quest for scientificprecision and greater realism culminated in the superb balance of harmony ofLeonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The influence of Humanism is reflected in theincrease of secular subjects. In the final phase of the Renaissance, Mannerismbecame the dominant style.

Список литературы

Для подготовкиданной работы были использованы материалы с сайта www.ibiblio.org/louvre/paint/