Art History Discussion

The Renaissance era (1400-1600) is an important period in history as it marked the revitalization of art and rebirth of music (Stokle 176). Musicians and artists in this era composed and performed their art in a style that exhibited uniqueness from that of medieval era. The art was influenced by ancient Rome Greece classical models. Besides, music in this era flourished and exhibited individualism and difference in terms of artistic freedom
King indicates that humanism is a philosophical term affirming individuals’ responsibility and ability in life to lead ethical lives (190). It also influences the capacity of an individual to seek freedom and develop aspirations to achieve good for themselves and the greater humanity. Humanism played a critical role in determining the aspirations of Florentines to develop aspirations and desire for freedom from medieval corruptions. There was need to purify Latin that was gripped by massive immorality. It was this humanism that made the Florentines to be called the Athens of the renaissance (Witt 86). Their philosophy was driven by compassion, hopefulness and inspired by art.

With humanism, composers and musicians developed loads of interest in Rome and Greece’s ancient cultures. One such composer was the Florentine painter and architect Giotto di Bondone (1267 – 1337). Giotto was a genius. As Quilter explains, he was widely recognized in the Italian Renaissance as the first artist (70). His works were prominent at a time when shackles of the medieval restraint were being removed from people’s talents and minds. His works, though largely influenced by traditional religious subject, were strongly backed by earthly subjects. Giotto indicates that he gained his prominence from his work that broke free from Byzantine art (101). In its stead, Giotto introduced pictorial space to bring convincing sense. He also replaced Byzantine art with ideals of naturalism (Bisaha 100). His famous passage was The Divine Comedy.

The concept of humanism has several uses. It is, for example, the doctrine which is based on the integration of human values. In addition, it may also imply a Renaissance movement which was proposed to return to the Greco-Roman culture to restore human values.

Humanism, in general, is a behavior or attitude that exalts the human race. Under this concept, the art, culture, sport and general human activities become transcendent. This could be achieved transcendentally through the exaltation and experimentation of their powers.

This is an anthropocentric doctrine, whereby man is the measure of all things. Social organization, therefore, should be developed from the human being. This perspective is opposed to medieval theocentrism when God was the center of life.

Humanism recognizes values ​​such as prestige, power and glory even though it was criticized by Christian morality and even considered sinful. Another difference with religious doctrines is that humanism makes man an object of faith, while in ancient times, faith was God’s heritage.

However, it is worthy to note that this viewpoint  opposes consumerism; as it is against the surface narcissism and may not be proper to human dignity. The objectification of man as a producer or consumer is keen in the process of development.

As an intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the fifteenth century, humanism promoted the enthronement of human beings not only as an essential element around which social life revolved but also as a center of the universe.