But how did paintings from this era stand out from previous centuries? The answer is Classicism, wherein artists of the time implemented mathematically correct perspectives to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space within the paintings, along with realistic emotions and expressions. It’s difficult to hear “Renaissance” and not think of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci. What the art world produced during the Renaissance is perhaps the most iconic symbol of the era. Let’s look at some advancements and notable people through the disciplines: There were the European discoveries of new continents, advancements in astronomy, commercial growth, inventions like printing and gunpowder, not to mention large-scale sculptures, paintings, and architectural projects from now well-known artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, and Donatello. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Italian Renaissance is just how far it spread, not only geographically, but across all disciplines - art, science, commerce, and more.
Well to-do Florentines became patrons to the arts and artists as a way to flaunt their wealth, spread their influence, and encourage cultural expansion. During the 15th century, Italy was made up of independent city-states, and one of which was the independent republic of Florence, a financial powerhouse and widely considered a banking capital. It all comes down to the unique governmental systems of Italy at the time, and the concentration of money. But why Florence and not any other city in Italy or Europe? While Venice and Rome played an important role in the Italian Renaissance during its later years because of Venice’s trade routes and Rome’s Papal States, there’s no question about Florence being the starting point of this illustrious cultural revival. How Florence came to be the birthplace of the Renaissance You might think of it as a time when a curiosity about the arts and studies was renewed, but also as a time of massive advancement in all genres of study. So what exactly was rebirthed and renewed? Thanks to a growing tradition of patronage where wealthy elites would financially support impressive thinkers, Renaissance era artists, philosophers, scientists, historians, and writers had time to hone their arts and crafts, to rediscover ancient Roman and Greek texts, and to advance the studies of humanism, aesthetics, technology, anatomy, and more. While the term “rebirth” was used by authors of the era, like 16th century painter and art historian Giorgio Vasari, it became more widely used to describe the Renaissance era during the 19th century. While renaissance is a French word and the Italian equivalent is “rinascimento,” they both mean a “rebirth.” During this period, an interest in art and educational studies that were lost during the Dark Ages were renewed with enthusiasm. Often shortened to just “The Renaissance,” the Italian Renaissance was a period of cultural revitalization that lasted from the 14th to the 17th centuries, beginning in Italy and spreading to other parts of Europe and beyond.
And don’t forget to check out some of our past features on Tuscany, like “ Discover the Wine Regions of Tuscany” and “ Top 5 Tastes: Tuscany,” so you can prepare yourself for the flavors of central Italy. Read on to learn why the Italian Renaissance was so consequential and why Florence was the perfect breeding ground for a historical revival. To have a deeper experience while traveling through modern Florence, it’s important to learn a little bit about this city’s journey to cultural excellence.
But why does this capital city of Tuscany hold such significance? Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, a period of cultural revival that affected everything from science and sculpture to philosophy and exploration. Cathedrals and other ancient monuments popping up throughout the city to remind you of the pervasive influence the bygone days have on modern times. In Florence, the present is artfully blended with the past.
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