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RECOGNITION OF ART

By SIMO JELAČA, Ph.D.

RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance art movement (rebirth) originated in Florence, Italy, in the first half of the 15th century. The most significant results were achieved in the first half of the 16th century, when Rome took over the artistic center instead of Florence. The Renaissance covers the whole of Europe, whose influence remains to this day. The Renaissance movement is complex and diverse. It elaborates original and typical principles, methods and forms. It returns forms to the classical arts, after almost a millennium. And the acceptance of a new technical discovery, perspective, which follows the reproduction of three-dimensional reality, which is important in architecture. This feature of the Renaissance is more obvious than all the others. Its descendants are considered the heirs of classical art. This attitude arose from the ingrained understanding that art has its own laws, which were introduced by Greek and Roman artists. Until then, there had been significant associations in art, while from then on, art became the work of individual creators. Art is divided into fine arts (architecture, sculpture and painting) and applied arts.

Architecture

During the Renaissance, it was thought that history was created by individuals, and this is true, at least when it comes to architecture. Renaissance architecture was born in Florence, thanks to Filippo Brunelleschi. His work, although individual, had a general significance. Filippo Brunelleschi sets out the concept that the Greeks imagined and the Romans applied, a set of rules about the shapes and proportions of a building. Brunelleschi's system saved construction time and could be constantly improved. Thus, his successors reached perfection.

This method immortalized the beauty of the Parthenon. However, the Greeks rejected this method, and the Romans adopted it, adding two more to the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles; Tuscan (a simplified variant of the Doric style) and Composite style (an enriched variant of the Corinthian). The new style was based on the “canonical” forms, which Brunelleschi solved. In Renaissance architecture, it is important what kind of external appearance will be achieved. First, the size of the building is determined, and then its external appearance is shaped with ornaments, and the roof is made of wooden construction, as it is lighter. The arches are most suitable semicircular. Only their diameter is important. The most suitable style for Renaissance constructions became Corinthian. Architects deviate from the proportions of the time, in favor of slenderness. The main works were churches. The Renaissance also added houses and rich palaces. Facades were arranged towards the courtyard and the street. The great architect of the 15th century Leon Battista Alberti wrote a text on architecture. The new type of palace from the 16th century has windows one above the other on the second floor. This created a school for future centuries. For the construction of fortresses, the walls are thick, but lower. Palaces and churches were the two main types of projects according to the Renaissance system. In addition, military buildings and fortresses were built. Rationality is important in Renaissance architecture. Renaissance architecture spread from Italy to France, and then to Spain, where many buildings were built. In Yugoslavia, Renaissance architecture was applied most in Dalmatia.

Sculpture

The Renaissance had no need to elaborate rules for sculpture. It was more a matter of taste than theory. Recognition of Renaissance sculpture is achieved by looking for the motifs that inspire it. These motifs emphasize naturalism, interest in man, in his possibilities, a tendency to spiritualization, a tendency towards monumentality and geometric simplicity.

Architecture applied works of sculpture, decorating the building. In Renaissance sculptures, naturalism is sought. The entire culture is guided by this. Sculptures, in themselves, represent beautiful objects in space. The human figure is the most interesting in nature. Donatello, the greatest sculptor of the 15th century, was the first to dare to depict the naked human body. Renaissance sculptures are recognized by: naturalism, human sculpture, the study of anatomy and composition. It strives for perfection and research. Artists can create their works from marble, bronze, wood and terracotta. The perspective of sculpture allows for the placement of figures next to each other. Figures in Renaissance sculpture are made in proportional relationship. Michelangelo is the greatest in this, and his works are magnificent. Michelangelo's material was marble.

Painting

Renaissance painting is the richest period. The list of greats is numerous: Piero, Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Antonello and many others. They all lived in almost the same period. Renaissance painting covered two centuries and the whole of Europe. Great freedom was expressed in painting, and this is a typical feature of Renaissance painting. Painting is based on drawing. From the Renaissance to the present day, painting becomes a field of all artistic changes. Painting is enriched with new techniques from the 15th to the 16th centuries. During this period, oil painting was applied and canvas was introduced. The work on creating frescoes, the drawing is transferred to the wall. In Renaissance painting, the paintings are faithful and absolutely precise. This school began with the young painter Mazacco, a contemporary of Brunelleschi. His works are magnificent, typical of the 15th century. And the peak in painting is reached by Michelangelo. In his works, the plasticity of the figures becomes “explosive”. Elegance is shown through movements.

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