Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
FlorenceHome to some
of the greatest artists and thinkers during the Renaissance
Cultural center of Europe
LocationLocated on the Arno River
◦Center of trade and commerce Center of woolen-cloth trade Center of Banking
Drew travelers from all around the world◦Came to do business, study art, or to learn
Visitors brought new ideas, goods, and technologies◦These enlivened the city
Cultural ActivityDominated by the Medici
family◦ Made wealth through
banking
Could afford to be patrons◦ Michelangelo lived in the
Medici house
Learned from one another◦ Sometimes competed with
each other
Advances in ArchitectureInfluenced by Greek and Roman
ruinsMany families built palazzis
◦Stores on the ground floor and homes above
Public spaces influenced by humanism
Greatest feat is the cathedral, Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore
Advances in Painting and SculpturePerspective
◦ Used to create depth in the painting
◦ Size of objects showed distance
◦ Created as lines converged in the middle of a painting
Shading created 3-D figures
Used geometry and science
Had oil-based paint
Sculptures were free standing
Showed realism
Painting Sculpture