HSTARC 2 : On Renaissance Architecture

As gothic architecture began to wear-off, different forms of classicism came into the picture. After the turmoil the Middle Ages brought to them, they started evolving into the renaissance period also known as their ‘rebirth’, the re-establishing of ancient classical culture. The transformation began in Italy, when artists began to revive ancient Greek and Roman art thus resulting to a classical revolution in painting, sculpture and architecture. Their style of architecture appeared to have changed along with people’s lifestyle.

People started to have an interest in the importance of humanity. They acknowledged the fact that people can bring something worthwhile to society. This human-based approach together with studies of geometrical perspective and proportions resulted to the birth of a breathtaking architectural style. They started going back to the basics, examining the past and altering it a bit to fit their taste and style. The writings of Vitruvius served as their guide in rebuilding Europe which was truly a big help in their development after the ruin of the past structures. They studied these and worked on the improvements with the application of geometry plus the use of perspective, and possible renovation all according to their own uses. The innovation of printing was also born in this period, wherein artists/architects started publishing their ideas and works which proved to be very useful for the later periods. Leon Battista Alberti, a great architect, mathematician, and painter published books which covered subjects from plans and structures to ornament and the orders. His books also promoted ideas such as Decorum (building in a manner appropriate to a structure’s purpose) and civitas (civilization based on the city).

This whole focus on classicism and proportions which transformed architecture was started by Filippo Brunelleschi in Italy. He designed the famous great dome of the Florence Cathedral - a combination of Gothic and Ancient Greek style. Brunelleschi’s designs inspired many other architects that used his ideas as a basis for their own showing how great Brunelleschi’s impact is to architecture. Michelosso di Bartolomeo, a student of Brunelleschi, and Guiliano do Sangallo both his followers were able to design such magnificent structures like the Palazzo Medici which reflected the traditional architecture of domestic buildings, wherein the general appearance of different storeys in a building had different facades- a solution could have only been reached through the intense study of classical ruins (Again, this shows how the past periods affect the following ones).

‘ ...the harmony and concords of all the parts achieved in such a manner that nothing could be added or taken away or altered except for the worse.’ – Alberti

       

     The Renaissance was indeed a period of great architectural, artistic, and scientific achievement thus resulting to confidence and ambition-the constant struggle for perfection and originality.