*ART 236* Blog #1

   

      The Renaissance period is held in high regard by our culture because it was a time of advancement and change within Europe.  Exploration, travel and trade became important for it expanded peoples knowledge and wealth. New city states emerged during this time, in turn providing a new middle class which had enough money to spend on extravagant art.  Many great writers and artists lived during this time period; Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are two artists that come to mind. During this era many artists and architects used mathematics when producing their art, the Golden Mean is an example of this. Realism was used more often by painters during this time as well. Precise attention to detail was more prominent within art and architecture in regards to proportion, symmetry and perspective. Compared to previous eras the Renaissance period produced extremely talented artists who produced well known masterpieces.  Leonardo da Vinci painted the world famous Mona Lisa and Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican both of which are examples of timeless art.