Humanism
Many Renaissance scholars looked to the past for inspiration. They studied the classics – the works of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In the works of the classics they found a spirit similar to theirs that valued innovation in this world rather than looking forward to the next world after death.
A person who studied the classics was called a humanist. Humanists recreated classical styles in art, literature, and architecture. Humanists believed that by studying the classics, they could understand people and the world better. One humanist wrote, “To each species of creature has been allotted a peculiar and instinctive gift. To horses galloping, to birds flying, comes naturally. To man only is given the desire to learn.”
The humanists emphasized the importance of human values instead of religious 
beliefs. Renaissance humanists were often devout Christians, but their promotion of secular, or non-religious, values often put them at odds with the church.
Today we refer to the study of literature, philosophy and art as the humanities. The civilizations of Greece and Rome ended long ago, but they continue to influence us today.
Renaissance Art
Renaissance Art 
The Renaissance patrons wanted art that showed joy in human beauty and life’s pleasures. Renaissance art is more lifelike than in the art of the Middle Ages. Renaissance artists studied perspective, or the differences in the way things look when they are close to something or far away. The artists painted in a way that showed these differences. As a result, their paintings seem to have depth.
An artist from Florence named Giotto was one of the first to paint in this new style. Giotto lived more than a century before the beginning of the Renaissance, but his paintings show real emotion. The bodies look solid, and the background of his paintings shows perspective. The art produced during the Renaissance would build upon Giotto’s style.
Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 in the village of Vinci. His name means Leonardo of Vinci. Leonardo began his career working for a master painter in Florence. By 1478, Leonardo left his master and set up his own workshop. People have been trying to guess the secret behind the smile of his Mona Lisa ever since he painted it around 1505. His Last Supper shows clearly the different feelings of Jesus and his followers. 
Leonardo’s fame grew—but not just for his painting. Leonardo was truly a “Renaissance Man,” skilled in many fields. He was a scientist and an inventor as well as an artist. He made notes and drawings of everything he saw. Leonardo invented clever machines, and even designed imitation wings that he hoped would let a person fly like a bird.
Michelangelo Buonarroti of Florence was one of the greatest artists of all time. Like Leonardo, Michelangelo
was a “Renaissance Man” of many talents. He was a sculptor, a painter, and an architect. When Michelangelo carved a statue of Moses, he included veins and muscles in the arms and legs.
Michelangelo was a devout Christian, and the church was his greatest patron. He designed the dome of St. Peter’s church in Rome. Nearby, Michelangelo’s paintings cover the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the building where new popes have been selected for more than five hundred years. Michelangelo’s painting illustrates the Book of Genesis, with scenes that span from the Creation to the Flood. The project was very difficult. Working alone, Michelangelo had to lie on his back atop high scaffolding while he painted the vast ceiling.
The Dawn of a New Age
About 1450, European scholars became more interested in studying the world around them. Their art became more true to life. They began to explore new lands. The new age in Europe was eventually called “the Renaissance.” Renaissance is a French word that means “rebirth.” Historians consider the Renaissance to be the beginning of modern history. 
The Renaissance began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe. Italian cities such as Naples, Genoa, and Venice became centers of trade between Europe and the Middle East. Arab scholars preserved the writings of the ancient Greeks in their libraries. When the Italian cities traded with the Arabs, ideas were exchanged along with goods. These ideas, preserved from the ancient past, served as the basis of the Renaissance. When the Byzantine empire fell to Muslim Turks in 1453, many Christian scholars left Greece for Italy.
The Renaissance was much more than simply studying the work of ancient scholars. It influenced painting, sculpture, and architecture. Paintings became more realistic and focused less often on religious topics. Rich families became patrons and commissioned great art. Artists advanced the Renaissance style of showing nature and depicting the feelings of people. In Britain, there was a flowering in literature and drama that included the plays of William Shakespeare.
Renaissance Costumes Surge in Popularity
While many people associate costumes with children and the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating, increasing numbers of adults are rediscovering the joy that comes from dressing in period costumes. Thanks to the influence of Renaissance Faires and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), adults are embracing costumes and accessories that hearken back to the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance of the 14th through the 17th centuries.
Historic Celebrations
During the Renaissance (which literally means “rebirth”), shifting perspectives in philosophy, art, literature, science, and religion had a tremendous impact in Europe, the effects of which are felt to this day. Today’s Renaissance Faires capture the essence of that time, with an abundance of music, entertainment, art, and food that celebrate the eras in which they’re set. While many Renaissance Faires are set in the England’s Elizabethan Era, others find their inspiration in the French Renaissance or in pirate themes of the18th century.
Similarly, the Society for Creative Anachronism honors the Middle Ages and Renaissance by researching and creating personas who would have lived during those times. Artisans, combatants, cooks, and others diligently perfect their characters, and gather together - in SCA garb and sometimes with SCA armor - to celebrate with historical accuracy.
Finding the Right Costumes
Whether you’re attending a weekend Renaissance Faire or are steeped in the SCA culture, the right costumes enrich and enhance your experience. Watching men battle with medieval swords or attending a medieval wedding is simply more meaningful when your appearance blends in with the era. Because it’s not always easy to achieve historical accuracy, it’s helpful to find a merchant who can reliably guide you to the proper apparel and accessories. Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to find sources to help you in your quest.
For example, the best online stores will help women find the right undergarments (like chemises, hoopskirts, bloomers, and corsets) to wear under their dresses, skirts, or ball gowns. Men can find everything from vests and doublets to puffy-sleeved shirts and breeches. Pirate costumes, Scottish clothing and kilts, and children’s costumes are also available from the right online Renaissance stores.
Accessories are a Must
When you’re dressing for a particular era, accessories complete your look. For example, Renaissance clothing tends not to have pockets, so a pouch is the perfect accessory to carry your necessities. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, hats were de rigueur, so you’ll need to find the proper cap, beret, snood, veil, or hood.
While well-choreographed battles are part of the Renaissance Faire experience, and SCA events are fraught with well-trained warriors, weaponry can also be a costume accessory. Accessory weapons don’t need to be functional; indeed, they must only fit in with the era you’re recreating. Look online to find sources of mini collector weapons, weapon carriers and belts, and accessory swords.
Making Your Own
Once you begin attending Medieval or Renaissance events, the chances are good that you’ll want to expand your wardrobe using techniques from the era. The best online sources offer an array of costume patterns for everything from Tudor and Elizabethan gowns to corsets and tunics.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Renaissance Costumes Popular or Majon’s Clothing directory
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
Renaissance Costumes - Dressed to Kill
People started celebrating renaissance festivals about several decades ago. These festivals soon spread all over the US and became one of the important festivals in the continent. These festivals allow people to wear costumes that were once a part of renaissance movement. People can easily dress up in the fashions of that era and look really stunning. Renaissance costumes are not only a part of the fancy dress celebration but can be worn to a Halloween costume party. Wearing such costumes in Halloween celebration can make a person look different and quite historic as well.
Styles of Renaissance
Renaissance era costume has elaborate styles and designing patterns. If you haven’t dressed accurately, not to worry, but it will be better if it is. In fact, children can wear a wide range of costumes that mark the specialties of renaissance era. To get the real style, the whole family can wear costumes with renaissance flavor. Then you can have a theme that everyone will enjoy. Usually, men renaissance costume is just as good as the renaissance girl costume.
Renaissance costumes will vary from country to country. For example, Italian renaissance costume will differ from French renaissance costume.
One of the interesting things about renaissance costumes is that bigger people can easily find clothes that may fit easily. Most sellers sell plus size costumes as there is a wide market for this demand. It simply means that everyone can enjoy his renaissance costume quite easily and conveniently.
Renaissance Costume: Where to Find?
Getting a good quality costume is a difficult task. There are several ways to get the most suitable costumes for your needs. Search through the actual renaissance fairs and festival to find the most applicable dress for your needs. As the matter of the fact, department stores do offer quality renaissance costume in best prices.
I webmaster of http://www.costumes4less.com dealing in all types of Costumes, Costume, Adult Party Costume, and kids halloween costumes as well at very cheap & affordable price at a single place.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anirban_Bhattacharya
Art History Holidays In Italy
Birthplace of the Renaissance and for centuries the centre of Western Civilisation, Italy has made an immense contribution to Europe’s historical and cultural heritage. Holiday makers with an interest in art or culture therefore enjoy a wealth of opportunities to explore some of the world’s most incredible masterpieces of art and architecture.
Anyone with a passion for art will love an art history holiday in Italy, but art buffs interested in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in particular are in for a treat with the country’s many masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael.
There are many fascinating areas to visit throughout Italy, but three of the most perfect places for art history holidays are the glorious cities of Florence, Venice and Rome.
Art Holidays in Florence
Florence was at the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance and it remains one of the world’s top attractions for art lovers, as well as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
With former residents including Renaissance masters Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Botticelli, it’s no wonder that Florence is so popular for art history holidays.
The Uffizi
Florence’s Uffizi gallery is a Mecca for those on art holidays, history and cultural heritage holidays, and contains major works by all of the above artists and many more. It is one of the most famous museums of painting and sculpture in the world.
Art Holidays in Venice
In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Venetian Republic was a major power and during the 1700s Venice began to greatly influence the art, architecture and literature of the rest of Europe.
Today, with much of the city unchanged for 600 years, art lovers don’t need to enter a gallery to get a sense of the place’s cultural heritage. Holiday makers with an interest in the Venetian school of painting should be sure to visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia, with its many masterpieces by Bellini, Giorgione, Tintoretto and Titian.
Despite the major impact of the huge numbers of tourists who flock to Venice to sample its magic, the city is still a must for any art holiday in Italy.
Art Holidays in Rome
Another major centre during the Renaissance period, the centre of Rome is a mixture of the Renaissance and the Baroque styles. Rome is famous for its grand 17th century squares and its huge number of monuments, museums and artistic masterpieces.
Rome’s Borghese and Gallery of Modern Art
The city has many fantastic museums and galleries to visit on an art history holiday, including the Borghese Gallery, with major works by Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Caravaggio and Bernini.
Rome also boasts the National Gallery of Modern Art. Holiday makers are always taken aback by this gallery, which houses the most important Italian collection of paintings and sculptures of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries including works by Goya, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Modigliani, Kandinsky and Klimt.
Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With AITO’s cultural breaks you can choose from tailor-made art history holidays, historical tours, musical trips and many more. The independent tour operators that AITO represent specialise in worldwide holidays tailored to their customers’ requirements.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieron_Sellens
Tapestries - Medieval and Renaissance Periods
Tapestries are a woven wall hanging that depicts a scene or famous painting. Medieval and renaissance tapestries were first developed in Europe to decorate castles and large churches. At first they were primarily of religious scenes and later to depict historical events. Kings and other nobility would hire artists to make a tapestry of historical battles and other events that they were engaged, especially if they won the battle. Castles and large stone churches were drafty places that are hard to keep warm during the winter. In those days, insulation was unheard of therefore tapestries were placed in buildings to keep them warm.
The importance of tapestries was that they were easy to transport from one location to another for display. This was accomplished by rolling them up like a carpet for moving to another location. The ability to roll them up was perfect for medieval and renaissance period kings and other nobility that would take the tapestries with them when they traveled. The ease of transport gained tapestries greater acceptance over large paintings, because paintings were more difficult to move from one place to another. Because of the method of weaving tapestries, they give a different perspective of colors from different angles and lighting conditions. Tapestries became well know works of art all by their selves and are valuable.
During the medieval and renaissance periods tapestries began to be woven of a larger variety of fabrics, such as: wool, silk, cotton, linen, and acrylic. This gave them a greater range in colors, allowing tapestries to become more affordable for others. Along with using new materials other scenes were desired by those purchasing tapestries. These new scenes included hunting expeditions and great feasts of kings and nobility dining with guests. Additionally, other scenes selected were of reincarnations, incarnation, resurrection, and annunciation. The nobility of this period wanted to have the finest representations of their lives.
These tapestries evolved again into another type of work that represented every day people in every day situations. These new tapestries were designed in a manner to depict famous people and fictitious people in classic novels of the period. Medieval and renaissance tapestries had become the art form representing European history for future generations to gain knowledge of the past. Many historical events that were written down can be corroborated by tapestries that represent the same event. These works of art have become a historical record in all the luxurious form and are used by historians today.
The evolution of medieval and renaissance tapestries made their mark on the art world, allowing more people to own and have access to great works of art that only a few were able to view before their existence. The historical record would be a little fuzzier today without tapestries. An original tapestry is worth a small fortune today. If you can not afford an original tapestry there are replicas and reproductions that are just as authentic in appearance and would be an investment and addition to any home.
To see an exquisite selection of tapestries, visit my website at: http://www.TouchofTapestry.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Wallace
Renaissance Costumes Surge in Popularity
While many people associate costumes with children and the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating, increasing numbers of adults are rediscovering the joy that comes from dressing in period costumes. Thanks to the influence of Renaissance Faires and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), adults are embracing costumes and accessories that hearken back to the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance of the 14th through the 17th centuries.
Historic Celebrations
During the Renaissance (which literally means “rebirth”), shifting perspectives in philosophy, art, literature, science, and religion had a tremendous impact in Europe, the effects of which are felt to this day. Today’s Renaissance Faires capture the essence of that time, with an abundance of music, entertainment, art, and food that celebrate the eras in which they’re set. While many Renaissance Faires are set in the England’s Elizabethan Era, others find their inspiration in the French Renaissance or in pirate themes of the18th century.
Similarly, the Society for Creative Anachronism honors the Middle Ages and Renaissance by researching and creating personas who would have lived during those times. Artisans, combatants, cooks, and others diligently perfect their characters, and gather together - in SCA garb and sometimes with SCA armor - to celebrate with historical accuracy.
Finding the Right Costumes
Whether you’re attending a weekend Renaissance Faire or are steeped in the SCA culture, the right costumes enrich and enhance your experience. Watching men battle with medieval swords or attending a medieval wedding is simply more meaningful when your appearance blends in with the era. Because it’s not always easy to achieve historical accuracy, it’s helpful to find a merchant who can reliably guide you to the proper apparel and accessories. Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to find sources to help you in your quest.
For example, the best online stores will help women find the right undergarments (like chemises, hoopskirts, bloomers, and corsets) to wear under their dresses, skirts, or ball gowns. Men can find everything from vests and doublets to puffy-sleeved shirts and breeches. Pirate costumes, Scottish clothing and kilts, and children’s costumes are also available from the right online Renaissance stores.
Accessories are a Must
When you’re dressing for a particular era, accessories complete your look. For example, Renaissance clothing tends not to have pockets, so a pouch is the perfect accessory to carry your necessities. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, hats were de rigueur, so you’ll need to find the proper cap, beret, snood, veil, or hood.
While well-choreographed battles are part of the Renaissance Faire experience, and SCA events are fraught with well-trained warriors, weaponry can also be a costume accessory. Accessory weapons don’t need to be functional; indeed, they must only fit in with the era you’re recreating. Look online to find sources of mini collector weapons, weapon carriers and belts, and accessory swords.
Making Your Own
Once you begin attending Medieval or Renaissance events, the chances are good that you’ll want to expand your wardrobe using techniques from the era. The best online sources offer an array of costume patterns for everything from Tudor and Elizabethan gowns to corsets and tunics.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Renaissance Costumes Popular or Majon’s Clothing directory
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
Italian RENAISSANCE ART Period and Artist History
This major cultural rebirth and revival began in Italy during the 1300’s and spread throughout Europe until around 1650.
Here are a few of the historical milestones during this period of great change.
Lorenzo de Medici (MED-uh-chee) (1449-1492) was a prominent ruler of Florence, Italy who was also a strong patron of many great artists of that era:
Sandro Botticelli created the well know painting: “The Birth of Venus”.
Leonardo Da Vinci created the paintings: “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”.
Michelangelo sculpted “David” and “Pieta”. He designed the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica and painted the Sistine Chapel frescoes.
As a young man, Michelangelo lived with the Medici family in Florence for a period.
In 1492, Columbus was credited for the discovery of America which was named after the ships navigator, Americus Vaspucci.
The Reformation of the 1500’s was a religious movement which opposed the sale of “Indulgences” by the Roman Catholic Church. Church authorities would absolve and pronounce someone free of guilt for a specific monetary price. The reformation movement opposed the sale of these “Indulgences” and this set the foundations for the Protestant churches. Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox were leaders in this movement. Henry VIII declared himself head of the Christian Church in England.
During the Renaissance, the arts, architecture, literature and science received a new breath of life and relief from the relatively bleaker periods of the dark and middle ages.
Lamps, paintings, furniture, architecture and home decor items of all kinds will forever be influenced by RENAISSANCE ART period. A lamp, painting or sculpture showing two people touching hands brings a vision of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and “The Creation of Adam”.
- Jim Hoyle
Biography: Since 1979 Jim Hoyle has owned and operated Lamp Outlet - North Carolina’s Most Exclusive Unique Table Lamps, Floor Lamps and Antique Lamps. If you would like to share information about any lamp, lamp company or lighting in general, or if you have any comments or questions, you can contact Jim at: junguljim@bellsouth.net. His company’s website is: http://www.hoylelamps.com