The Paintings Of the High Renaissance

RESEARCH QUESTION: What do the visual arts  of the high renaissance period tell us about our past?

THESIS:

Paintings of the high renaissance display expectations for the social class, religious themes, the lives of people and the culture of society.

SYNTHESIS PARAGRAPH:

www.italianrenaissance.org

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According to, Italian Renaissance, the Pastoral Concert by Titan, depicts education as a determining factor of social class in the high renaissance. In Titan’s painting, a noble and a peasant hold an intellectual conversation, unaware of the two muses, divine figures that inspire mortals. The conversation creates a type of harmony linking the moment with intellectual thought. Furthermore, the entrance of the shepherd interrupts this harmony because he symbolizes a lesser class of learning. Therefore, the shepherd can not understand the idea of intellectuality and peace and is considered a lower class. Next, Khan Academy believes, the simple and pleasurable lives of people during the high renaissance is displayed through the Peasant Wedding by Pieter Breugel. The painting shows a wedding reception in a barn. The reception is overcrowded, but the people are enjoying each other's company, creating a sense of shared community. The painting indicates the common folk could find joy in the simple things of life, without the need of luxury. Moreover, the food is modest with wheat being a major crop cultivated by the peasants. Some old traditions of decorations with a green cloth and the behavior of the bride from the high renaissance were displayed. Moreover, the actions of the little boy and expressions of the bagpipers, to the food, show the true human nature of simpleness.

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In addition, the Italian Renaissance and Khan academy suggest, the Last Supper, by Leonardo Da Vinci, depicts the religious themes of Christianity and heaven, for the people of the High renaissance were predominantly Christian. The scene is set the night before Christ's death, as Jesus says to his twelve apostles that one of him will betray him. Leonardo Da Vinci groups the twelve apostles into three groups. The number three is a reference to the Holy Trinity, reminding Christian believers of only one God. Jesus is also made the focal point of the painting, representing his admiration and importance in Christianity.  Also, the landscape beyond the window is often interpreted as heaven. The painting is believed to remind people that heaven can only be reached through Christ. This supports the idea of disbelieving in God, will lead to a judgement to hell while believing in God a judgement to heaven.

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Lastly, Khan Academy's article and video also imply, The School of Athens by Raphael, show the valued aspects of human behaviour in society. The fresco was a representation of the importance of science and philosophy.  It represents all great philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians under one roof, sharing different ideas and knowledge to each other. The different ideologies of Plato and Aristotle are shown, further, with the separation of the room into two branches of philosophy, ideology, and practicality. The high renaissance was a period of time with different ideologies and discoveries. The fresco shows, society valued anything that can express ideas and knowledge. In summary, The paintings give various accounts of the beliefs, traditions, and values from the past.