The Renaissan

ce Architectu

re

The Renaissance is a historical period in Europe defined by the evolution of painting, architecture, sculpture and allied arts.

This period corresponds to the revival of the classical forms originally developed by ancient Greeks and Romans, but also to a growing interest in humanism. Renaissance architecture has its origins in Florence, in the early 15th century.

An interesting fact is that in this period, artists used a proportion named “golden mean” which was important in construction of buildings, as it is taught that it was an harmonious way to create any structure.

Renaissance architecture had specific features that were fairly common to major construction as the facades were symmetrical and the ceilings were generally flat, another specific feature being the regularity of parts to the whole as they are demonstrated in the architecture of classical Rome, the columns were arranged in a specific order and the semi-circular arches replaced the complex proportional systems of medieval buildings.

Temple of Vesta

Renaissance architecture could be divided in 3 periods:• Early Renaissance (1400 - 1500)• High Renaissance (1500 - 1525)• Late Renaissance (1525 - 1600)

Early Renaissance

The most important architects from the Early Renaissance were Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti.

Filippo Brunelleschi

Leon Battista Alberti

Basilica of San Lorenzo

The plain exterior of this building includes a series of blind arches, while the interior is graced with crisp grey-and-white planar classicism; only the columns prevent this interior from being composed entirely of flat surfaces.

Santa Maria Novella façade, designed by Leon Battista Alberti.

Artists who produced items for the church include big names as:• Sandro Botticelli • Bronzino – the Miracle of Jesus• Filippo Brunelleschi – The Crucifix (between 1410 and 1425)• Giacomo Marchetti - Martyrdom of Saint Laurence.• Masaccio – The Trinity• Giorgio Vasari – Madonna of the Rosary (1568)

 High Renaissance

Donato Bramante is one of the most important architects from the Renaissance, being considered “a member of the High Renaissance trio, along the sculptor Michelangelo and Raphael”.

Tempietto

“Tempietto” is considered the greatest work of Donato Bramante. Its design was inspired by a particular type of classical temple and despite its small size, the Tempietto is often considered the crowning work of High Renaissance architecture.

Palazzo Farnese could be considered the greatest Renaissance palace. A decorative treatment of the palazzo was rustication, in which the wall is textured rather than smooth. This can entail leaving grooves in the joints between smooth blocks, using roughly dressed blocks, or using blocks that have been deliberately textured.

The High Renaissance was defined by a classical simplicity and harmony in Renaissance art and architecture. The central plan layout found in many Roman temples, most notably the Pantheon, was popular during this period. Common shapes for central plan buildings are the circle, square, and octagon.

Late Renaissance

The Late Renaissance featured a general relaxation of the severe simplicity and order of the High Renaissance.

Andrea Palladio is the exponential architect who maintained a firmly classical aesthetic. Palladio, known primarily for villa design, is the foremost architect of the Late Renaissance.

Andrea Palladio

Villa Rotonda

Villa Foscari

Villa Pisani

Mannerism became part of the later Renaissance style. Michelangelo was using the Mannerist style and he invented a giant order: a large pilaster that stretches from the bottom to the top of a facade.

Architects also experimented with using architectural forms to emphasize solid and spatial relation in a bizzare way.

The Renaissance greatly influenced Transylvanian architecture. Characteristic Renaissance style chapel can be found at the cathedral St. Michael in Alba Iulia. In the same style were transformed 16 castle. They were built on a rectangular plan, with patio: Vinţu de Jos, Criș, Sînmiclăuș castles , the latter having two overlapping loggia made up of semicircular arches. Bourgeois houses in cities have adopted new forms especially in decoration doors and windows (Göllner house in Sibiu, Halphard house in Cluj).

Since humanity started building edifices and great structures, mathematics and architecture . Obviously, improvements in surveying and applied mathematics helped engineers to build greater and bigger monuments, using mathematical techniques.

Château de Chambord

Bătăiosu RăzvanETC EnglezaGrupa 1.1