15th century Florence is in many ways seen as the cradle of the Renaissance. Urbanization, artistic innovation, and humanistic ideals all grew tremendously in the Tuscan republic, which was a political and cultural rival with other city-states on the Italian peninsula.<\/p>\n
Smarthistory: Florence in the Early Renaissance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One of the significant forces in this historical shift was the Medici family, powerful bankers and patrons of the arts. Prior to class, watch episode one of the four-part PBS documentary series\u00a0Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance<\/em>. This episode discusses two works we will be examining further: the dome of the Florence Cathedral designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) and the bronze statue of David\u00a0<\/em>by Donatello (1386-1466).<\/p>\n Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, Episode 1 (55mins)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What is the relationship between art and politics in this period?\u00a0What were the Medici family motivated by? Why did they want to fund new a<\/span>rt and architecture?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n What made the contributions of Brunelleschi and Donatello so radical in their day?\u00a0How does the film portray the character of Brunelleschi? Of Donatello? Why do you think they made these creative decisions?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For a closer look at the dome of the Florence Cathedral and Donatello’s David<\/em>, see the videos below.<\/p>\n Optional: Smarthistory: Dome of the Florence Cathedral<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Optional: Smarthistory: Donatello’s David<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Connected to the renewed interest in ancient Greece and Rome was the growth of humanism, the idea that man is the measure of all things. This has impact in economic and social life, attitudes towards religious doctrine and philosophy, scientific inquiry, and (of course) artistic style and iconography. We notice this shift in works like Donatello’s\u00a0David<\/em>, which references classical nude sculpture, and more radically humanist ideals appear in two paintings by Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) which eschewed much of Christian imagery altogether.<\/p>\n SmartHistory: La Primavera<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Smarthitory: The Birth of Venus<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What makes these paintings “humanist?” What makes them part of the Renaissance?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n These radical paintings were not without pushback from the religious community, however, and much of Botticelli’s work was destroyed in the “Bonfire of the Vanities” of 1497 organized by the hardline friar Girolamo Savonarola.<\/p>\nHumanism<\/h1>\n