Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 8/16/2007

Question
hi
i have to relate humanism and explain the reationship between humanism to two art works from our renaissance period e.g fifteenth century italian painting or high renaissance, then evaluate the significance of the humanism in our two art works, could you give me any tips of where to get info on this or know of any paintings i could look at that would be easy to relate to humanism etc.
thank you very much.
Jess

Answer
Jess - hello, and thank you for your question.  Your task could not be easier!  Humanism is the underlying theory that informs what we call the Renaissance in art.  Theorists in 15th (Florence, in particular) sought a revival of the Classical (Greek) - this revival, rinascente, becomes known as the Renaissance (renaissance meaning 'rebirth' in French.)  Almost any 15th Italian painting - but especially those from Florentine artists - will be underpinned by Humanist thought.  There are a million websites explaining Humanism; and a million more (possibly a slight exaggeration!) with Renaissance paintings.  Start with Botticelli and work your way up through Michelangelo!  Simplistically put, Humanism replaces the Medieval viewpoint that God 'designs' everything and man is a mere pawn in His design; Humanists beleived in rational thought, geometry, logic and reason -- and these philosophies lead to artists becoming the creators, rather than the makers, of art.  What a great topic.  Enjoy!  There is such a wealth of material out there, you should have no problem finding reliable sources.  Good Luck.