34). The Renaissance man is also literally well-rounded: he should be agile and strong, with "shapely" limbs (Castiglione, p. 30, line 26). Renaissance women must also fulfill specific requirements. Though they should develop their bodies as well as their minds, Renaissance women should not undertake strenuous activities, as even dancing too energetically can impede her "womanly sweetness," (Castiglione, p. 35, line 192). Neither men nor women should take sport -- or anything else -- too seriously because being well-rounded is more important than being a specialist. At the same time, both Castiglione and Alberti infer an appreciation for the diligent development of specific talents and skills, whether tennis, dancing, or archery. Therefore, the ideal person is not a dilettante. When the Renaissance man or woman becomes proficient at something, he or she can show that skill off in polite company, though without conceit. Being what modern people would call "cool" is a key component of the Renaissance ideal. Castiglione calls that feature "nonchalance," and the Renaissance man and woman should be talented and modest at the same time. Moreover, both men and women should cultivate social graces to please the opposite sex. For men, playing music seems to "please the ladies," so Castiglione advises that all men learn how to master an instrument (Castiglione p. 35, line 159). Mastery of the instrument does not necessarily mean that the Renaissance man becomes a working musician for well-roundedness is the key. For women, learning a musical instrument can also win favors from the opposite sex but Castiglione warns women to stay away from "drums, fifes, or trumpets," which are deemed to "harsh" for a woman's dainty graces (p. 36, lines 242; 243). Women should also learn to play with nonchalance and even a "touch of shyness," (Castiglione, p. 36, line 248). Men, too, should be "genial and discreet," and neither gender should be boastful in their public...
34, line 91). Modesty is not set forth as a moral imperative, but rather, an attractive social feature.
Instead of the hobby of kings and professionals, learning was for all -- from soldiers to noblemen ("Renaissance" 2008). In addition, the Renaissance appreciated learning and curiosity for its own sake. In the same way, art was appreciated simply because it was art, instead of being commissioned for a certain purpose. Furthermore, the Renaissance focused more on the individual's ability to make creations and to decide than the occurred
Renaissance and Baroque Periods The term Renaissance describes, not only a movement in art, but also a corresponding social and cultural movement that moved through Europe at the conclusion of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance period lasted from the 1400s to the 1600s, and spread through most of Europe, though it is probably the most heavily associated with Italy. The term "renaissance" means revival or rebirth, and the Renaissance did mark
Renaissance Art Within the broad gamut of Renaissance art throughout Europe, two sculptures remain outstanding and worthy of mutual comparison. Those two works of art are Michelangelo's statue of David and Donatello's same. The latter is the predecessor; Donatello's David predates Michelangelo's by about fifty years. Donatello's sculpture of David is considered to be of the Early Renaissance period, and was completed by about 1430 (Hudelson, n.d.). Michelangelo's David, on the
Bernini's statuary group is a combination of lyric and mimetic representation depicting both a mythical episode and vital energy which is best felt when looking at Persephone's hand pushing against Pluto's face. In fact, even this apparently simple detail is dual in the sense that on one hand, it is meant to give the impression of despair and struggle, and on the other, this gesture results in creases in Pluto's
With the decline of the Church, other religious movements emerged dominant among Renaissance thinkers and followers, which included the movement of Protestantism, and later on, Reformation. Under the Protestantism movement, reformed Catholic churches established their own assembly, disassociating from the Catholic Church to form their own religious organization. Protestantism, in fact, preceded the Protestant Reformation, which culminated the Renaissance movement in the 16th century. Under the Protestant Reformation, socio-economic
Renaissance and Baroque An Analysis of Two Davids The humanism, nobility, and power of the Renaissance are reflected in Michelangelo's David (1504). The emphasis on drama, movement, and action is demonstrated in Bernini's David (1624). Both emphasize the heroic and favorite themes of the High Renaissance, but it is Vasari who gives the greatest compliment to Michelangelo's David, calling it more excellent than all sculpture of ancient Greece and Rome and even
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