Renaissance Art, Music, and Society: Key Aspects

Renaissance Art and the Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503.

Emotions in her face: 83% happy, 9% from, 6% fear, and 2% angry.

Why the Renaissance? Leonardo was curious to know the workings of nature and the human being.

The church lost force due to the split between Catholic and Protestant.

Renaissance Art and Ideals

Renaissance art was inspired by plastic arts, sculpture, paintings, and architecture.

The ideal look in the rebirth was classical art and Roman column capitals round, valuing beauty.

Renaissance Music

Most of the Renaissance music is polyphonic, usually composed for 4 or 8 voices.

Vocal and instrumental music were composed separately, but the compositions could be sung or played alike.

Renaissance Songs and Themes

Renaissance songs often dealt with freedom and expression, eating and drinking.

Songs were generally easy, of homophonic type.

Madrigals

Madrigals are more cultured and refined, with a complex counterpoint for four or five voices.

Madrigals sometimes incorporate descriptive elements such as birds or the sound of swords in battle.

Religious Polyphony

Religious polyphony had to be clearer than civil music.

The Council of Trent in 1562 ordered that music must be sorted.

Instruments and Society

Instruments in the Renaissance were a symbol of wealth.

The government during this period was a monarchy.

Music was used to celebrate victory in general events and to glorify the king.

Baroque Art

Baroque art stems from Italy.