...From innovative advancements to grand masterpieces, the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods were pivotal periods in our history that today are still greatly recognizable and appreciated for their beauty and awe inspiring captivation of humanity. The Middle Ages, a time of great turmoil, forced people to seek order in their lives and stay alive through dependence on community while the Renaissance period pushed the boundaries of personal enlightenment and ‘rebirth’ of classical humanism. Throughout the 700 year period, the development and advancements of innovations, art, and humanities clearly deviates between the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, displaying a striking portrayal of individualism versus community. The Middle Ages began in the early 10th century with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and continued throughout the late 15th century. During this time the Middle Ages experienced great political and social change from religious and political crusaders conquering lands, to the establishment of the first universities (Bishop, 1968). The Middle Ages was an age of revolts, religious imbalances, and devastating plagues that led to an economic depression (Bishop, 1968). With all of these external factors affecting their lives, the people of the Middle Ages sought to find order through a feudal government system and community outreach. The ‘dark’ time of the Middle Ages resulted in the expansion of knowledge and ideas known as the Renaissance period from the...
Words: 964 - Pages: 4
...Toyin Debbie Osaro Western Governors University 11/08/2014 The Middle Ages, people lived under a lawless society. There were no order or structure during the fourteen and fifteen century; it was a long time of darkness; periods of severe weather that leads to crop failure and famine. (n.d.). The early middle ages arts also known as the Dark ages. The middle ages period was when European history fell from the Roman Empire to the renaissance. Art during the early middle ages went through many changes up to the early renaissance period. The Middle Ages art style known as the Byzantine art; while the dark ages followed by the medieval era of (1066- 1448 AD) encounter changes. Furthermore, the middle ages art and saw the emergence of early renaissance art. (WGU on line quote) The artist, by the name of Giotto di Bonedone, is one of the most famous people of the middle ages. His painting of “Madonna and Child” painted for a chapel in the church of Santa Maria. This picture made with temperas and wood and emphasized Christian faith, teaches spiritual truth, aid in the conversion of non-Christian. Renaissance art with the literal meaning “ Rebirth” played a significant part of our lives today. The early renaissance started right after the middle ages (1400-1600). During this period, the European history was marked by renewal of interest in intellectual and cultural legacies of ancients Greece and Rome. Renaissance was the time of tremendous creativity and intellectual moment. Beginning...
Words: 1105 - Pages: 5
...Historians of the 15th and 16th century used the term the “Middle Ages”. The culture at the time was similar to that of ancient Rome and Greece. But, differed from the time of the fall of Rome. The “Middle Ages” was later replaced by the Renaissance period. It was period of rebirth of ancient techniques and newly developed techniques that had major success in the art industry. Greco-Roman heritage and Byzantine examples inspired the artists. (Wikipedia, n.d.) This paper will discuss the relationship between Middle Age and Renaissance art periods. The middle ages also known as the dark ages were a period of barbarism, ignorance, and superstition. (Wikipedia, n.d.) The period saw a decrease in prosperity, stability and population in the first century. The period had a massive setback of population due to the Black Death plague. Invasions and incursions plagued Europeans during this period and had a major effect on art. Art was modest and had little creativity and was made mainly for religious purposes. Some art was rare and costly when associated with the church and mostly produced by monks. Since most of the art was used to spread religion it was viewed as utilitarian and not having much value. The renaissance abandoned the middle ages and its modest art and representations of monumental images. (Wikipedia, n.d.) Art became valuable, attractive, and profitable. Artists left behind the middle age thinking and broadened their horizons by developing new techniques...
Words: 960 - Pages: 4
...Historians of the 15th and 16th century used the term the “Middle Ages”. The culture at the time was similar to that of ancient Rome and Greece. But, differed from the time of the fall of Rome. The “Middle Ages” was later replaced by the Renaissance period. It was period of rebirth of ancient techniques and newly developed techniques that had major success in the art industry. Greco-Roman heritage and Byzantine examples inspired the artists. (Wikipedia, n.d.) This paper will discuss the relationship between Middle Age and Renaissance art periods. The middle ages also known as the dark ages were a period of barbarism, ignorance, and superstition. (Wikipedia, n.d.) The period saw a decrease in prosperity, stability and population in the first century. The period had a massive setback of population due to the Black Death plague. Invasions and incursions plagued Europeans during this period and had a major effect on art. Art was modest and had little creativity and was made mainly for religious purposes. Some art was rare and costly when associated with the church and mostly produced by monks. Since most of the art was used to spread religion it was viewed as utilitarian and not having much value. The renaissance abandoned the middle ages and its modest art and representations of monumental images. (Wikipedia, n.d.) Art became valuable, attractive, and profitable. Artists left behind the middle age thinking and broadened their horizons by developing new techniques...
Words: 960 - Pages: 4
...Middle Ages and Renaissance Art Western Governor’s University It is interesting how two different artistic periods can compare to each other. When comparing Middle Age art to art of the Renaissance, I find a vast transformation of ideas and mentality between the two eras. The Middle Ages, also called the Medieval period, lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. Christianity, religion and the church played an important role in life in the Middle Ages. Life seemed difficult in the Middle Ages. A vast majority of the population could read or write. The population’s hope was declining and this lead to a strong belief that the next life in heaven would be better than the current life that they were in. The basic government and society in Europe during the middle ages was based around the feudal system. (Eco, U. (1986). Because Christianity played an important role during the Middle Ages, early Christian art icons were popular such as images of Christ, the Virgin Mary or saints. Also popular were illuminated manuscripts that were of a religious nature. Because of the radiant glow created by the gold, silver, and other colors that were used, these handwritten and decorated or painted texts were called illuminations. These were still being created in the Middle Ages. Architecture of the Middle Ages also focused on a Christianity theme. Two...
Words: 1262 - Pages: 6
...The Renaissance; the transitional time period from the dark Middle Ages to the age titled Early Modern. During this time period, scholars in Florence--and then much of Europe--revived the ancient ideas of the Greeks and Romans. That being said, the Renaissance was a completely different era due to: the birth of Humanism, revolutionary ideas, and the amazing pieces of art that were created during this time. Stunning pieces of art distinguished the Renaissance as its own time period unrelated to Medieval times. The best place to start is with the medieval mosaic, “Justinian & Attendants” by San Vitale. The mosaic is flat, depicts Christian themes, has no vibrant colors, and its most important figure has a halo around them (Doc 11). On the...
Words: 838 - Pages: 4
...Church in the Development of Modern Medicine throughout the Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, the culture and society of Europe and the Western world was under the control of the Church. The religious aspects of medieval European peoples were a great consideration in the matters of the body and health care. The majority of medical knowledge and research was under the influence and followed the expressed ideas of the Church. As the hold of the Church on society began to disintegrate, medicine was able to move from medieval practices influenced by religious belief into modern medicine, based upon observation and evidence. Causes of disease and illness were now understood and scientists were able to start searching for cures because restrictions that prevented modern medical theories from being discovered were lifted. Paracelsus discovered that agents outside the body caused illness. The study of the human anatomy was now practiced and became an essential part of medical knowledge, giving way towards new modern advancements such as blood transfusions and surgeries. Da Vinci conducted many autopsies and constructed detailed drawings of the human anatomy, which had never been studied earlier. Medical knowledge was no longer different and divided into sects but was now centralized under the modern scientific teachings taught to doctors in universities everywhere. As the culture of the Middle Ages moved away from the Church and religion so did scientific knowledge, and without...
Words: 3196 - Pages: 13
...Comparing Renaissance vs Impressionism The beginning of the Renaissance, if asked in a question you may end up with an argument on your hands. Many believe the time frame is too difficult to track, that someone just tossed out a date in history and said, “This is when the Renaissance began and ended” and that time frame is 1300s to 1700s. However, some people believe it believe that it began at the precise year of 1401 and ended in the late 1600s. Either way they Renaissance period began after the Middle Ages when many countries were struggling with their economies, and there were gaps between the upper class and lower class populace. “First, as Petrarch sees it, the Middle Ages has an entirely negative quality. It is defined by what it is not. It is not the classical age; it is not the rebirth; it is the bare space in between. It is a time without light, without fortune, without learning. It has no positive existence. Things without positive existence are darned hard to define. Or defend. It (Middle Ages) ends when the Renaissance begins.”(Bauer, 2013) At the beginning of the Renaissance, stories in history tell us that it was a time of awakening and growth for people who are known by their art. Not only is art a major part of the Renaissance, but there was also a change in the point of views on life, religion and science. What was the “norm” before the Renaissance was now a thing of the past. Churches were split, and ex-members were now forming new churches with new ideas...
Words: 1101 - Pages: 5
...Fatima Haidar AP European History Essay Everyone has a way to express themselves whether it's in writing or in arts such as music, dance, or drawing. During the Renaissance the arts were encouraged. The Renaissance was expressed through Italian art by incorporating religion, science, and math. They made self-portraits and wrote autobiographies. The Renaissance was more secular then the middle Ages, but they were still very religious. Although the Middle Ages wasn't secular, nevertheless during the Renaissance period ideas were expressed in the Italian art because religion was embraced, people valued learning, knowledge, education, self-confidence and secularism grew. Religious artwork such as the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo combines art, religion, science, and faith. It also contains a true connection between God and humans. The Old and New Testaments play a significant role in the painting, in the picture you see God reaching towards Adams' hand and there are angels all around God. It depicts God separated from light and darkness. The Sistine Chapel is a really good picture to use to prove that religion still played a huge role during the Renaissance period. Education also played a role in the artwork contributed during the Renaissance. The Vitruvian Man and The School of Athens are two perfect examples. The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci not only symbolizes art but it brings math and science into the painting. Leonardo, like most artists of his time, shared this...
Words: 528 - Pages: 3
...From the depictions of horses and other animals inside the Chauvet Caves, which date back more than 28,000 years ago, to the millions of artists of all mediums, art is an essential part of being human. It was created before written language in 3,400 BCE, and before agriculture in about 8,000 BCE, showing just how natural the desire to create art is for humanity (“Human History Timeline - Combined Timeline”). While it has evolved many times throughout history, the style, purpose, and subjects change though its existence remains the same. These differences allow an insight into a time period and a place in history. One can examine it on a small scale, analyzing what the piece meant to an artist or what the purpose was in creating it. Likewise,...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...Western World Literature December 13, 2013 The Renaissance generation Medieval is described as the middle ages. The middle ages began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and then merged into the beginning of Renaissance and the European discovery. The Middle Ages was considered to have brought more positive things at that particular period. It concentrated more on the relationship with God and it was dominated by the Catholic Church. A lot of things happened in the middle ages, especially in the late middle ages where there was sickness, plague and war which wiped down the entire people in Europe. After the Middle Ages came Renaissance and it changed everything about the middle ages. Renaissance means “Rebirth” and it is described as a movement in European intellectual, cultural and political history that first began in Italy. So in my mini course I would like to talk about Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Marguerite de Navarre who had different ideas about the Renaissance. Miguel de Cervantes was born in 1547; he was the fourth child of an impoverished physician. He was captured by pirates and was sold as a slave to the Algiers. Cervantes was thirty-three when he returned to Spain without a job or a place to live. He wrote a number of plays but none of them were as successful as “Don Quixote”. Don Quixote is one of the longest novels ever written and among the first books that went through printings. The first part of Don Quixote is about a parody of romances...
Words: 673 - Pages: 3
...The Renaissance The Renaissance was an influential cultural movement which brought about a period of scientific revolution and artistic transformation, at the dawn of modern European history. It marks the period between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Modern Age. The Renaissance is usually considered to have begun in the 14th century in Italy and the 16th century in northern Europe. Renaissance is a French word that literally means rebirth. Rebirth is used in two ways. First, it means rediscovery of ancient classical texts and ideas and their use in the arts and sciences. Second, it means that the results of these intellectual activities created a revitalization of European culture. Most historians believe that the Renaissance of the 15th century in Italy, which spread through the rest of Europe, represented a reconnection of the west with classical antiquity, the absorption of knowledge—particularly mathematics—from Arabic world, the return of experimentalism, an explosion of the spread of knowledge brought on by printing and the creation of new techniques in art, poetry and architecture. This period shows Europe emerging from a long period as a backwater part of the world, and the rise of commerce and exploration. The Italian Renaissance is often labelled as the beginning of the "modern" age. The Renaissance has no set starting point or place. It happened gradually at different places at different times and there are no defined dates or places for when the...
Words: 597 - Pages: 3
...New Art Forms of the High Middle Ages Throughout history Europe has experienced countless changes in culture and other aspects. The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, lasted from around 800 into the 1400’s (349). This period can be subdivided into three categories: early, high, and late. The Middle Ages brought about changes in religion, law, and daily life. Changes also occurred in the arts with the introduction of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry. Although the Middle Ages began as a time of violence, the emergence of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry are examples of devotion and expression. During the tenth and eleventh centuries cathedrals were constructed (367). The style of the cathedrals resembled Roman architecture, which was the preceding time period. (367). Features of Roman architecture included “massive walls, rounded stones arches, and small windows” (367). By the twelfth century, this new style gained the name “Gothic.” The Gothic style introduced new engineering improvements and emphasized more emotional expression. The structures of Gothic architecture consisted of pointed arches, high ceilings, and flying buttresses (367). A flying buttress carried the weight of the roof. “Midieval Archtechture” states: “The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner than previous styles of architecture because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than by the walls. The pointed Gothic arch provided greater flexibility could also span...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
... Meera M Panicker 1st yr Integrated MA Introduction When I started reading Foucault’s madness and Civilization, i had no idea about what i was going to do for the term paper. I was just fascinated by how his ideas on all of it, madness and normality sounded. When i started reading, it was at first not easy to understand, but slowly i started understanding little by little. Foucaults works have little reiews from the west and more reviews from the French. The French had cut and dissected the book in no way the western world has, and this actually made reading harder because there were very little available on the subject. So, i have relied on more of a personal understanding of what i have read. The narrenschiff or the ship of fools, like it had fascinated Foucault also fascinated me. I was fascinated by how renaissance exalted madness and gloricised it in its artworks, but how event then it was excluded at the same time. While reading I felt that Foucault in some ways favoured and saw that the ship of fools was a profounder concept and that it was more humane way of exclusion over civilizations. Here I have tried to see the whatsand how of this, whether Foucault actually saw the narrenschiff as a better way or not? THE SHIP OF FOOLS It is commonly understood...
Words: 2227 - Pages: 9
...One of the most thrilling opportunities was seeing the Renaissance fair in action. The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned from the 14th century to the 17th. It began in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later on spread to Europe. The term Renaissance is used loosely to refer to a historical era in which there was a development of linear perspective within the art of painting, and a increasing spread of educational reform. This cultural movement was the bridge between the modern era and the Middle Ages. It was seen as an intellectual pursuit in which social and political upheaval arose. This period is best known for its artistic developments from renowned artist such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Visiting the Faire was such a rewarding and wonderful experience because not only was I able to gain so much information about the period, I was able to learn it through having fun and enjoying myself. There were Men in tights, knights on horses, beautiful and entertaining shows, wonderful food, jousting, and very fun activities. I’d seen various movies such as Lord of the Rings and Dragonheart and ever since I was a kid I’ve always been in love with that period. The various fables of knights and tales of sword fighting always intrigued me. The fact that I was able to witness it first hand was such a fulfilling and wonderful experience! I saw the wardrobe of knights, peasants, and noblemen alike. I was able to see blacksmiths at work and gun, queens, and even...
Words: 458 - Pages: 2
