The rebirth of art in Italy was connected with the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature, and science and the evolution of empirical methods of study in these Increased awareness of classical knowledge created a new resolve to learn bydirect observation and study of the natural world. Consequently, secular themes becameincreasingly important to artists, and with the revived interest in antiquity came a newrepertoire of subjects drawn from Greek and Roman history and mythology. The modelsprovided by ancient buildings and works of art also inspired the development of newartistic techniques and the desire to re-create the forms and styles of classical art.Central to the development of Renaissance art was the emergence of the artist as acreator, sought after and respected for his erudition and imagination. Art, too, becamevalued--not merely as a vehicle for religious and social didacticism, but even more as amode of personal, aesthetic expression.Although the evolution of Italian Renaissance art was a continuous process, it istraditionally divided into three major phases: Early, High, and Late Renaissance. The lastphase has been the subject in recent years of complex interpretations that recognize manycompeting and contrasting trends. But this report is basically focused on the Early andHigh Renaissance phases. Some scholars date the beginning of the Italian Renaissancefrom the appearance of Giotto di Bondone in the early 14th century; others regard hisprodigious achievements in naturalistic art as an isolated phenomenon. According to thesecond view, the consistent development of Renaissance style began only with thegeneration of artists active in Florence at the beginning of the 15th century.The principal members of the first generation of Renaissance artists--Donatello insculpture, Filippo Brunelleschi in architecture, and Masaccio in painting--shared many1Kirkwood ...
