On this occasion we bring you through this article the most outstanding aspects of the renaissance architecture which corresponds to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries where definitions of conservative art were made thanks to the innovations that these incredible architects merged. Don't stop reading it!
What is Renaissance architecture?
Renaissance architecture is a genre that pronounces the renaissance in classical culture, it arises in the city of Florence which belongs to the Italian nation at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, from there it spread throughout the European continent.
At that historical moment, the medieval Gothic style was supplanted by this new architectural style. It is important to note that Renaissance architecture is part of the Renaissance period in the artistic, intellectual and historical fields.
Which arises in the Gothic period, replacing the Baroque movement, its main objective is to rescue ancient art and philosophical ideas, including the Greco-Roman. So his vision is based on classicism and humanism.
It is at this historical moment where Renaissance architecture takes definitions that belong to classical thought, including symmetry and order that can already be seen in architectural structures in antiquity.
Therefore, Renaissance architecture is based on the beauty of its structures and harmony in the buildings to be built, allowing the spaces to be built to be larger and clearer where light is essential, distinguishing the Renaissance style from the Gothic movement.
It is imperative that you know that during this artistic movement the power of the families that were in charge of the Italian cities at the beginning of the XNUMXth century rose.
Therefore, the economic surplus was distributed in the construction of buildings, improving the social aspect of the city, which at that time were great centers of commerce thanks to economic progress.
Renaissance architecture finds its apogee thanks to these wealthy families and rediscovering the classical culture of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations was a great advance in construction.
Even the studies of Filippo Brunelleschi to find the structural solution in the ancient Roman civilization allowed the construction of the dome of the Duomo of Florence was a great advance in this type of Renaissance architecture that was beginning in this historical period.
So this dome differs from the ancient Roman civilization in that its base is octagonal, two domes were used, one inside and one outside, which are joined by ribs.
It is also complemented with a lantern at the end and as for the Pazzi Chapel. Brunelleschi for the construction of it used the concepts of proportion and forms typical of the Renaissance.
Theories on which the architecture of this artistic movement is based
Through the choice of religious themes to be created by order of the Verona friar, in addition to the bases of Renaissance architecture in attention to classical culture, it allowed new buildings in the north of the Italian nation.
In addition, the advances that were made by the orders of Sebastiano Serlio that were transformed into a treatise where various types of columns were included, including capitals and the representation of Vitruvius created by Leonardo Da Vinci.
In a square-shaped background placed emphasis on the proportional relationship of the limbs of the human body were used in addition to the illustrated guide De Architectura was a breakthrough for architects of Italian origin.
Therefore, in the Quattrocento, the publication of books on the art of construction of Renaissance architecture began, being the most outstanding in this academic discipline.
Well, they are in charge of defining the Rules to follow in Five Construction Modes where the order is not systematic but presents irregular intervals in different European cities.
In the Serliano treatise, the five modes of construction or orders of Renaissance architecture are discussed, which are complemented through other elements such as the pedestals, the Corinthian entablature, the base that are taken from ancient civilizations.
Increasing the height of the columns to be used in their constructions by one diameter for each order to be used from six to ten the number of columns is in this treatise by Serlio where proportionality is discussed.
Even of the moldings to be used creating a practical model for the construction through the codification of instructions to follow and that culminates in the middle of the fifteenth century thanks to another well-known treatise that is that of Vignola.
This man was called Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola who followed the guidelines of the fourth book that Serlio made, reducing it to images and some lines at the bottom of the page to explain the model in each of the thirty-two pages made of copper plates.
With this, he creates a simpler rule where a consecutive series of proportionality relationships is defined that were easy to reproduce by other architects in the historical moment.
Periods that stand out in Renaissance architecture
As for the periods that make up Renaissance architecture, they are divided into two great periods that are known under the following names in Italian: Quattrocento and Cinquecento.
Quattrocento
With regard to the period known as Quattrocento, which began in the mid-fifteenth century, Renaissance architecture is represented by León Battista Alberti and Filippo Brunelleschi.
Which adopts lines of classicism and ventures into theoretical actions to make the constructions of Florence a renewed allegorical image of the Greek and Roman civilizations seeking to enhance the beauty of their buildings.
The most outstanding characteristics of this period is the desire to build perfect buildings according to mathematical and geometric studies to achieve the harmony and proportion that was paramount in Renaissance architecture.
Due to this, they take as a module the radius and diameter of the columns or pilasters in view of this, theorists such as Paciotti in his writings comment on the so-called golden ratio which is 1 meter high by 1,6 meter wide to achieve the harmony of these constructions.
Therefore, the height effect of the Gothic movement is transformed through Renaissance architecture by the horizontality of its constructions, and from inside the building it was possible to have a total vision of the construction space regardless of where the viewer is located.
Buildings that were built in this period
The construction of religious temples prevailed in this period, the construction plan resembled the Latin cross and even constructions were made with the central plan similar to the Greek or circular cross.
In this period, civil buildings were also built, such as palaces, as well as hospitals and libraries, being part of Renaissance architecture.
Among the architects who stand out in this period are Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, Michelozzo di Bartolomeo and Giuliano Sangallo.
Five hundred
The next period where Renaissance architecture will develop is the Cinquecento in the XNUMXth century, which comprises two stages, the first is known as the High Renaissance.
It is glimpsed in the fourth part of the 1527th century until the year XNUMX, in this phase architects such as Donato Bramante Rafael Sanzio, Antonio de Sangallo the Younger and Miguel Ángel Buonarotti stand out.
The other phase of Renaissance architecture is known by the term Mannerism and belongs to the Late Renaissance where the Baroque style begins to be implemented following the style of Michelangelo.
For what individuality is a characteristic quality of Renaissance architecture, the following architects stand out in this period: Jacopo Vignola, Giulio Romano, Giacomo della Porta or A Palladio and Gin Romano.
The Popes benefactors of Renaissance architecture
Even in Rome, Donato Bramante, Sangallo and Venetian Giorgione and Titian stand out. With regard to the Mannerist period, Jacopo Vignola, Andrea Palladio, Veronese, Antonio Allegri da Correggio, Giambologna, as well as Benvenuto Cellini stand out with regard to Renaissance architecture.
This period had its heyday in the city of Rome unlike the first period that was in Florence thanks to the Medici. Among the most influential artists is Raphael Sanzio, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Being the most important period where beauty and nobility are reflected, unlike the first period that had its influence in Florence, the Cinquecento has its peak in the city of Rome thanks to the Popes who will be the protector of the artists that integrate the architecture of the Renaissance.
Characteristics that predominate in Renaissance architecture
In the first instance, Renaissance architecture rests on two fundamental pillars such as classicism and humanism, so the values of this artistic movement were unrelated to medieval wisdom.
Among the main qualities of Renaissance architecture stands out the search for the ideal of classical Greek and Roman culture to transform the society of the time to build buildings from an idyllic point of view.
Therefore, Renaissance architecture appropriated terms or definitions such as beauty as well as order in movement and harmony in the construction of columns and arches.
The profane vision in the religious sphere is evident in Renaissance architecture, since the values of Christianity receive the Italian influence from the pictorial works where the sinful character is highlighted.
Likewise, nature influences Renaissance architecture because it is the creation of the Almighty, therefore the closest element is the perfection in the aesthetics of this Renaissance movement as something of its own.
Another of the characteristics that accompany Renaissance architecture is the anthropocentric and human vision, so that the greatest creation of God is the human being and interacts with the universe according to ancient classical art.
It is imperative to mention the perspective as part of the spatiality of Renaissance architecture in the design giving a useful effect to the building from an analytical and objective way which are denoted in the cathedrals where when entering the person must raise their eyes in search of God.
Therefore, in Renaissance architecture, it is sought to possess the will of each one of the people when entering the architectural work looking for the Almighty from the human dimension.
Inspiration in Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture tries to recover the classist ideology in the Renaissance movement as can be seen inside the cathedrals where when we look up we can see the sky where God is.
Of course they were inspired by the ruins of Greek and Roman civilizations but with aesthetic details typical of the architects who carried out the work.
Among them Leon Battista Alberti who made the De re aedificatoria which are ten books where he presents the order of Vitruvian architecture so that it would be part of the Renaissance architectural design.
The social status of the architect in relation to architectural books or treatises
The craftsman rises to the level of an artist in Renaissance architecture thanks to the study of the treaties for which the architects were cataloged as part of the Renaissance elite as a form of corporate.
Treatises on Renaissance architecture allow individual recognition before the world, transforming architecture into an academic discipline.
Since the professional of Renaissance architecture went hand in hand with the monarchy, one of the qualities of these constructions was virtue and therefore they reflected the political thought of that historical era.
Other features to know
The distinctive features of ancient civilizations changed as time went by, transforming the construction of buildings.
The structure of the economic cities of that moment in history thus highlights a fusion between classical art and the new ones to be introduced in the XNUMXth century.
Where it is observed in Renaissance architecture buildings with a rectangular shape with symmetrical finishes and proportions that are based on the module that is the width of the nave when they were emphasized in the construction of religious temples.
The planes of Renaissance architecture have a symmetrical square shape where the proportions are based on the module, being the main characteristics of the Renaissance in the XNUMXth century, for this they had to be based on the use of columns, pilasters, vaults, arches, windows, walls and domes. .
The facades were symmetrical in relation to the vertical axis and in the religious temples they were crowned through a pediment and the order was given by the system of pilasters, entablatures and placed arches.
In the civil buildings they were surpassed by a cornice in terms of the columns and pilasters, they were based on the orders that the ancient Roman civilization carried out, such as Tuscany, Ionian, Doric, Corinthian, as well as compound arches.
With respect to the columns and windows, a progression to the center of the work to be carried out is observed in Renaissance architecture, an example of these facades being the Cathedral of Pizza, which is attributed to the Florentine architect named Bernardo Gambarelli.
The order in Renaissance architecture is structural, maintaining a curvature which was created for a decorative purpose, then they approached the wall forming the pilasters in an integrated way. One of the first constructions to use this construction system was the Old Sacristy made by Brunelleschi.
As for the domes called ribs due to their large structure and visible from the outside, they were frequently used at this time in history as a structural element with the intention of being able to roof small spaces that are evident within the construction of the enclosure.
After the success of the construction of the dome designed by Brunelleschi in the Florence Cathedral, it was used by Donato Bramante.
For the construction of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the city of Rome, being an essential element in Renaissance architecture and then transferred to the Baroque movement.
Sustainable elements in Renaissance architecture
The walls and columns stand out in the construction of the structures for the support of the weight combined with the style. the materials they used had to be resistant as well as pleasing to the eye of the spectators, among the materials they used were brick, wood and marble.
With the intention of making the decorations, golden, grotesque, garlands, ballasts were used to give greater sensitivity and delicacy to religious temples and civil works such as castles.
On the roofs they used flat roofs as well as vaults, arches, domes and windows that were characteristic of Renaissance architecture and on the support they used classical-style columns as well as pilasters, pillars or pendentives.
Historic moment of Renaissance architecture
As you already know through this interesting article, Renaissance architecture began in the fifteenth century in the Italian nation in the city of Florence where the Gothic movement was barely entering the city and at that time in history the dome of the cathedral was being built. of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The person in charge of carrying out this work was Filippo Brunelleschi who broke the previous paradigms rediscovering classicism as well as promoting treatises and new theories related to Renaissance architecture.
Through this dome altering the usual rules of the construction of civil buildings where a separation of the inventor in relation to the builder is made.
Another fact to take into account in Renaissance architecture is that the architect in this case Brunelleschi expresses greater importance in the field of construction and not in style.
Well, the construction is observed as a whole through the study of the Greco-Roman ruins and not in the study of the treatises of the classical norms, so the professional of Renaissance architecture is confirmed as an intellectual who is in charge of designing and then building. .
As you already know, Renaissance architecture emerged in the XNUMXth century in the city of Florence in Italy, where Gothic was a new style that the architects of that historical moment were learning about.
Renaissance architecture surpasses classicism by providing solutions to the style in the various construction spaces where elements of habitual use, domes and arches, are used in an unprecedented way until then, giving a functional character.
The word Renaissance means the renewed interest in the classical culture of ancient civilizations such as Greek and Roman and in the historical moment that arises, achievements in the cultural field are evident, as is the case of literature and art.
Florence was the center of the period known as Quattrocento, being the city of Rome the representative of the following Cinquecento period thanks to the influence of the Popes being the benefactors and the largest number of constructions are in religious temples.
One of the great differences between these two periods is that the Cinquecento had a predilection for the effect of the spectators thanks to the monumentality of the lines that allowed the construction without having to use too many decorations as in the previous stage.
Political field
In regard to this area there were constant struggles for power as well as changes in the monarchical dynasties, military confrontations and foreign invasions.
The wars in the Italian nation wore down the territory against Spain and France, so a pact in Granada in the year 1500 divided the kingdom of Naples between the Spanish and French nations later with the Treaty of Lyon. the city of Naples would form part of the Crown of Aragon.
Then Francisco I became the king of France and Carlos I became the king of Spain, they clashed again to obtain the title of Emperor and between the years 1521 and 1526 Spain became the power that dominated the Italian Peninsula.
Through the control of the Italian nation, a merger was made in the cultural exchanges in a bidirectional way between both nations.
The Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore
This cathedral began in 1296 but it had taken a long time to complete its construction because the architect Brunelleschi died in 1446.
The work had not yet been completed. It is essential that you know that this construction was not designed but that its projection and its construction were carried out at the same time.
There was a plan of the form to be created in addition to the indications of the interior, but there was the question of how to make the dome and in the year 1418.
Renaissance architecture begins through this temple when there was an economic rise in the Florentine city, so Filippo Brunelleschi was a craftsman who accepted the challenge and decided to move to Rome with the intention of finding a solution to this structural problem.
Rome was the city of the ruins of the ancient civilization that were visible and interrelated with nature, so the Pantheon of Agrippa was the source of inspiration for this architect.
These ruins have a diameter similar to that of the Santa Maria del Fiori cathedral, which had a dome with a full arch at the end, so the architect Brunelleschi took the idea and studied the relationships of style, proportion and form that are integrated into the space.
So Brunelleschi is the forerunner of Renaissance architecture and through his individuality makes the resolution to the unknown that led to build the dome.
From a stylistic model in this new movement through a great dome with a diameter of forty-two meters culminating in a lantern.
This dome was made from an innovative model, being Renaissance architecture, making the first octagonal drum to create the dome, being the first in the history of the discipline of architecture.
It presents a function of beauty in an austere way in addition to the union with God to elaborate this design thanks to the Renaissance architecture, a double dome set was required, being one internal and the other external.
Both are built based on bricks in a thread mode that advances in a spiral mode making the work more rigid and allowing an air chamber that makes the construction lighter, giving an image of threads and ends with a lantern at the end.
Mastering the artistic language through the Quattrocento
Due to this initial project that Brunelleschi carried out, he entered the history of art as the forerunner of Renaissance architecture, creating a new language of this architectural field where classical elements are part of this new form of architecture.
But the systematization of this new language is present when Sebastiano Serlio's treatise is published in the XNUMXth century, being the architect who opens the paradigm of Renaissance architecture Donato Bramante.
Knowledge of the architecture of ancient Rome and Greece begins as ways to provide solutions in space through the new language and techniques used in Renaissance architecture for the innovation of its buildings.
Other architects who stand out in this historical moment are Michelozzo, who was in charge of the Medici Riccardi Palace in 1444, and Bernardo Rossellino, who built the Rucellai Palace between 1446 and 1451 in a design previously created by Alberti.
Donato Bramante and the mature phase of Renaissance architecture
Through this architect Donato Bramante represents the passage from the Quattrocento phase to the so-called Cinquecento phase that is demonstrated in the construction of churches as well as palaces.
Well, he knew the classical language in Renaissance architecture and understood the qualities around the atmosphere of the time creating unpublished works that caused a furor.
Among them, the Tempietto is mentioned in the Italian language and in Spanish it is known as the Templete de San Pedro in Montorio located in the city of Rome that was built between 1502 and 1510 similar to the Greek temple of Vesta.
This Templete is a small model of the great work of the dome of San Pedro which covers dimensions of 42,4 meters similar to that of the Pantheon of 43,44 meters as well as that of the Santa Sofía Cathedral that Brunelleschi made in the city of Florence of 41 meters.
Then, in the Baroque period, an architect of English origin named Christopher Wren appears who made a summary of the works of Michelangelo and Bramante creating a new cathedral of Saint Paul in London with a dimension of 32 meters in the year 1676.
Also in the neoclassical period in the hands of the architects Francesco Sabatini and Francisco Cabezas who designed the San Francisco el Grande cathedral in the city of Madrid between 1760 and 1784 whose dimensions of the dome ranges from 33 meters.
Therefore, the great power of Renaissance architecture and its beauty for adaptation in times after its origin is demonstrated.
Donato Bramante made the development of a classic form such as the triumphal arches of Roman civilization and applying them in the composition of the buildings of religious temples and palaces was a creative idea in civil architecture.
The triads of adorned openings stand out in Renaissance architecture where two are at the same level of height and the one in the center at a higher height, which is known by the term order plus arch where the classical order is merged with the semicircular arch.
For this reason, in Renaissance architecture he used two systems of order plus an arch of different dimensions following the following formula:
"... the upper surface of the arch of the system with the smallest dimension was tangent to the lower molding of the entablature of the largest order..."
Therefore, the use of the classics in an unprecedented way in Renaissance architecture through the spatial solution for the construction of enormous palaces and cathedrals integrating elements such as vaults.
In addition to domes that are new creations and stand out in this period is the integration of orders such as the Corinthian and the Ionic that were typical of ancient civilizations.
In the Cinquecento the victory of classicism
It is essential that you know that in Renaissance architecture the architectural language was evolved allowing new creations by the architects of this period that would later be known as Baroque that gained more followers in the XNUMXth century.
It is in this period where a systematization of the knowledge of the classical canons is carried out, they were well known thanks to the treatises of Sebastiano Serlio or Jacopo Vignola, they started from the implementation of classicism for the innovation of their buildings.
The classic rules are implemented in the enormous public buildings such as huge palaces and religious temples that are recognized as noble works in Renaissance architecture creating new combinations, the main exponent of these elements being the architect Andrea Palladio.
Who was in charge of implementing a new way of using the classical language in Renaissance architecture which is presented in his creations known as Villas.
Which were in the vicinity of the Italian cities being very unique creating a new style known by the term Palladianism.
This style in Renaissance architecture is characterized by the use on the central floor in residential buildings with surface ornamentation creating its own treatise related to classical architecture where it raised its thought and study perspective.
The Mannerist movement and the end of Renaissance architecture
Another art movement originating from Renaissance architecture is known by the term Mannerism and was part of the Cinquecento phase.
Which originated in the early decades of the sixteenth century which continues to expand throughout the European continent until the seventeenth century where the architects with a humanistic vision and had an anti-classical vision.
So in the mannerism in Renaissance architecture is confronted with classical thinking emerging great individualist architects creating an interconnection between the movement of the Renaissance and the Baroque.
The excellent works of Michelangelo are the culmination and overcoming of classicism in the mature phase of Renaissance architecture where Donato Bramante stands out classifying his works as classics.
As can be seen in the Cathedral of San Pedro and also in the Farnese Palace, then the Mannerist movement is observed in the well-known Stairs of the Laurentian Library.
Therefore, in the mid-XNUMXth century, architects challenged the classical canons, the main exponents of this movement being Andrea Palladio.
In addition to the Venetian core, such as Giulio Romano, who designed the Tea Palace in the town of Mantua in 1534, there is Bartolomeo Ammannati, who was in charge of reforming the Pitti Palace between 1558 and 1570.
In addition there is Antonio Sangallo the Younger who made the Villa Farnese in the city of Caprarola in the year 1559. There is also Vasari who was in charge of designing the Uffizi Gallery in the city of Florence between the years 1560 and 1581.
Jacopo Vignola was in charge of designing the Church of the Gesu in the year 1568 in the city of Rome, being a later model headquarters for the construction of other Jesuit temples of this great company known as the Society of Jesus.
The facade of this main temple was made by Giacomo della Porta in 1578, which inspired other artists such as Carlo Maderno, so the works of these artists refer to the implementation of classical components in a relaxed way.
Creating patterns or decorative schemes in the interior of the buildings referring to windows that should be outside, creating an effect of optical illusion due to the perspective and the use of the volumes of the dimensions that have been used in an unusual way.
Which was also taken to an extreme sense in Renaissance architecture as can be evidenced in the Gardens of the Villa de las Maravillas which is currently known as the Parco dei Mostri in the Italian language.
In the Spanish language it is translated as Bosco Sacro de Bomarzo in the city of Lazio, its creator being the architect Pirro Ligorio who was an expert in garden design.
Therefore, by delving into the Mannerist constructions in Renaissance architecture, it creates the seed for the period of the Baroque movement to be born, creating the rupture of the classical ideal already announced in this movement known as Mannerism.
Expansion of Renaissance architecture throughout the European continent
It is important to tell you that Renaissance architecture did not displace the late Gothic movement that was characteristic of the other nations of the European continent until the middle of the XNUMXth century.
Due to the international contacts in the economic, military and political spheres through the artists' trips since they were demanded by the various courts of the kings who occupied the European nations.
Likewise, the dissemination of various documents thanks to the invention of the printing press and engraving, allowing the exchange of information between the different powerful nations of the European continent.
Likewise, the anti-classical ideas that emerged in the Mannerism movement were assimilated, which instead of representing the final phase of Renaissance architecture is a new style that opposes it, marking the Italian taste in other nations.
Therefore, classical treatises were already developed and architects of Italian origin knew the rules of classical composition, creating licenses in the creative field.
Being the Renaissance architecture an eclecticism to develop in the other European nations where survivals of the medieval age and some post-Renaissance features were still observed.
Which differ in each nation according to the Italian influence of Renaissance architecture included new elements to the context of each country according to the historical seat.
Influence of Renaissance architecture in the French nation
According to the French nation, Renaissance architecture is called according to the historiography of architectural productions at the beginning of the Modern Age in what was then known as France, including Flanders, Alsace, Lorraine, Savoy, Franche-Comté, Cerdanya. , Provence and Brittany.
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Renaissance architecture in France is the period in which Gothic architecture is replaced, which was born in this nation in the twelfth century after the importation and adaptation of Italian Renaissance models.
Therefore, it emerged in the XNUMXth century half a century later than in the Italian nation. It is also important to emphasize that Renaissance architecture arrived later in other French regions.
As it is in the Loire Valley and the Ile de France which continued its course until the XNUMXth century which was replaced by the baroque movement or also called French classicism.
Among the main protagonists of Renaissance architecture were royalty, among them we can mention King Carlos VIII who reigned between 1483 and 1498.
Louis XII between 1498 and 1515 as well as Francisco I who reigned between 1515 and 1547, who was in charge of calling numerous architects and artists of Italian origin who during his reign valued the Renaissance style.
Transforming the French nation in that dominant style by beautifying their royal residences among them we can mention the Château de Montsoreau between the years 1453 and 1461, the Château de Langeais between the years 1465 and 1469.
We can also mention that of Amboise between the years 1495 and 1498, Chambord is another of the palaces that was built from the year 1519 another is Fontainebleau in the year 1532 also in the capital city of Paris the Fortress of the Louvre in the year 1527 .
King Francis I married Claude of France in the chapel known as Chateau de Saint Germain en Laye in May 1514, this construction being his favorite residence for the year 1539, he commissioned the architect Pierre Chambiges to rebuild this building .
Therefore, Renaissance architecture continued to flourish in the French nation during the reign of King Henry II during the years 1547 and 1559, then in that of King Henry III between the years 1574 and 1589.
Where the great role played by Catherine de Médici between 1519 and 1589, who was the queen consort of King Henry II between 1547 and 1559, cannot be forgotten.
Later he was regent between 1560 and 1563 while his son Carlos IX came of age, who reigned between 1560 and 1574.
Then as the queen mother of Henry III until his death in 1584, his power was immense in political and artistic actions.
It is a time marked by the wars of religion between the years 1562 and 1598 which gave an eclipse to the Renaissance architecture in the French nation.
Despite this, they allowed the advancement of intellectual reflection as well as religious and political propaganda. Beginning in the XNUMXth century, the kingdom of France had fought wars against northern Italy.
Bringing to the French nation artistic treasures and stylistic ideas belonging to Renaissance architecture, being the proof of this the new constructions of the residential castles in the Loire Valley and the Ile de France.
Being one of the oldest examples of Renaissance architecture is the castle of Montsoreau in the year 1461 followed by the castle of Amboise in the year 1495.
It is the first Italian-influenced palace in the French nation where the great artist Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last years of his life as a guest of the king.
Another of the palaces was Gaillon, built between the years 1502 to 1509. You can also mention Chenonceau, which was built between the years 1513 to 1521. There is also Azay le Rideau, which was built between the years 1518 to 1523.
We can even talk about the Villandry which was built between the years 1532 to 1536, the castle of Ancy built between the years 1544 to 15550 another of the palaces is Ecouen built between the years 1538 to 1555 without forgetting the castle of Anet between the years 1547 to 1555.
This Loire Valley evidences a large number of palaces and houses with structures belonging to Renaissance architecture known as the Loire castles.
They are the most outstanding buildings of the French Renaissance, allowing UNESCO in 2000 to declare them a World Heritage Site in the Loire Valley.
Among the outstanding architects of Renaissance architecture in the French nation we can mention Giovanni Giocondo between 1496 and 1508, then Domenico da Cortona between 1495 and 1549.
Between the years 1532 to 1570 we can observe the works carried out by Francesco Primaticcio. Another architect of great renown was Giacomo Vignola between the years 1541 to 1543 and even Sebastiano Serlio who carried out constructions between the years 1541 to 1554.
Thanks to this Italian influence on French Renaissance architecture, the architects of this nation were learning the new ideas.
Being recognized in his country during the sixteenth century the architects Philibert Delorme between the years 1510 to 1570. We can also mention Jacques Androuet du Cerceau between the years 1510 to 1584 who was recognized in the nation for his excellent engravings in the constructions.
We can also mention Pierre Lescot between the years 1515 to 1578 in charge of building the internal facade of the southwest wing of the Cour Carrée in the Parisian Louvre and Jean Bullant between the years 1515 to 1578, for which French Renaissance architecture is divided into four phases or periods being the following:
- Louis XII style which was made between the years 1495 to 1530 where a transition was made between the Gothic movement to the Renaissance
- First Renaissance between the years 1515 to 1540
- Second Renaissance or also known as Classical Renaissance between the years 1540 to 1559
- Mannerism between the years 1559 to 1564 at the beginning of the XNUMXth century
It is important to note that these periods of French Renaissance architecture have a correlation with the Italian nation, as well as in other countries that make up the European continent, they are somewhat late, so they cannot arise in all regions at the same time.
In addition, the Renaissance architecture in the French nation uses other arts to decorate such as the furniture in the various reigns according to the styles of the kings who were in command such as Francisco I, Enrique II, Enrique IV among others. So you can see the High and Low Renaissance.
Spain and Renaissance Architecture
In the Spanish nation, several stages are clearly observed with regard to Renaissance architecture, being the following:
Plateresque First Stage
Renaissance architecture in Spain entered through the forms of the Gothic movement during the last decades of the fifteenth century, producing great relevance thanks to the architects who were interrelated with the Spanish-Flemish tradition.
The family origins of these architects came from the north of the European continent in addition to the Italian political influence that was in the Crown of Aragon since the thirteenth century, so it continued in Castile through the marriage of the Catholic kings.
Therefore, the Renaissance architecture showed its own characteristics where the influence of Mudéjar is evident in addition to the Flamboyant Gothic.
In addition to the Italian influence, which is why its plateresque name was eclectic, due to the decorated facades in its buildings that were reminiscent of the complex and very detailed work of the artisans known as silversmiths.
Purism Second Stage
After this first stage of Renaissance architecture, it is observed that the Gothic movement is decreasing, reaching a pure and orthodox style where austerity is implemented in the decorations of the buildings.
Therefore, it is responsible for the decoration through very specific elements inspired by ancient civilizations such as the Greek and Roman.
For what is evident constructions with serene and balanced facades, achieving that some architects will recycle their architectural works from the late Gothic area to start in this new stage of Renaissance architecture.
Among the architects who stand out in this stage are Alonso de Covarrubias, Pedro Ibarra as well as Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, being the city of Andalusia the city with the greatest artistic development.
Other architects stand out here, such as Diego de Siloé, who was the creator of two religious temples such as the Sacra Capilla del Salvador in Úbeda and the Granada Cathedral.
There is also Pedro Machuca, who was very classical, building the Alhambra in Granada and the Palace of Carlos V. Another of the architects is Andrés de Vandelvira, who was in charge of designing the cathedrals of Jaén and Baeza.
Without forgetting Diego de Riaño who built a civil work known as the City Hall of Seville. It is essential to note that this second stage is also known as the Serlian Phase.
Thanks to the treatises of Sebastiano Serlio for what he advanced in his own architectural literature among the canons of Renaissance architecture, among them Diego de Sagredo can be mentioned in his construction The Measures of the Roman in the year 1526.
The Herrerian Third Stage
In the middle of the XNUMXth century, the construction of an architectural work such as the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial began, which was a symbol that represented the power of King Felipe II.
Which was carried out by the architect Juan Bautista de Toledo who died in 1517 so Juan Herrera continues with the work.
Through a new style where constructive elements of Renaissance architecture predominate with a decorative absence, straight lines are observed and the volume used is through cubes where the Mannerist movement of the Italian nation triumphs in the sobriety that represents Castile.
Therefore, this new style is known by the term Herreriano in honor of the architect Juan de Herrera, who was the influence that characterized this stage in Spanish Renaissance architecture.
For around a century, the emblematic figures of this movement were the following architects: Francisco de Mora, Juan Gómez de Trasmonte and Juan Gómez de Mora.
It is important to note that Spanish Renaissance architecture is transferred to the new world today known as the American continent.
Where he found a wide field for the construction of his constructions for around three centuries, later receiving the Baroque and Neoclassical movements.
Portugal and Renaissance Architecture
Renaissance architecture in the nation of >Portugal is expressed through the Manueline style but in its aesthetics it implements Renaissance and late Gothic elements very similar to the first Spanish stage known as Elizabethan Plateresque.
Which is distant from classicism, one of the decorations that is frequently used in this nation is the twisted rope of the ship, which represents the exploits of the Portuguese navigators.
At the historical moment of the Discoveries of new lands in the New World, allowing expansion in the political, economic and social spheres, transforming this nation into a world power.
Among the buildings that we can name in this nation that belong to Renaissance architecture are the cathedrals of Leiria in addition to Portalegre, we can also mention the Jesuit College of Évora and the religious temple of San Roque located in Lisbon.
Germany and Renaissance architecture
In what corresponds to the German nation in terms of Renaissance architecture there are several philosophers as well as artists such as Alberto Durero and Johannes Reuchlin who had the opportunity to move to Italy.
So in the most outstanding Renaissance architecture of this nation is the Heidelberg castle as well as the Johannisburg castle in the city of Aschaffenburg without forgetting the Augsburg City Hall.
Even in the month of July of the year 1567, the council of the city of the Colony was in charge of approving a new project representative of Renaissance architecture which was carried out by the architect Wilhelm Vernukken for the City Hall where a two-story building was built.
Another of the representations of this artistic movement is the church of San Miguel located in Munich, being the church that symbolizes the largest Renaissance architecture north of the Alps.
This church was built by Duke William V of Bavaria between 1583 and 1597 and symbolized the spiritual center of the Counter-Reformation. It is inspired by another architectural work named Iglesia II de Gesú in the city of Rome, although the name of the architect is unknown.
Eastern Europe and the influence of Renaissance architecture
The distance of these countries from the Italian nation meant that Renaissance architecture could be diluted, although very valuable examples of the Renaissance can be seen in their buildings with local architectural traditions, such as in the case of Hungary.
Where the Hungarian king Matthias Corvino was in charge of hiring sculptors and builders of Italian origin to build Italian-style houses in the mid-XNUMXth century.
Among them, mention can be made of Aristotle Fioravanti who moved from Hungary to Moscow to build the Cathedral of the Dormition between 1475 and 1479 in the city of Kremlin.
In Hungary, under the reign of Louis II, the Bakócz Chapel of the Esztergom Cathedral was built, where the decoration of Renaissance architecture is evident.
Even architectural works that represent the Renaissance are found in Poland, such as Wawel Castle.
There is also the Sigismund Chapel in Krakow as well as in the cities of Zamosc and Tarnów located in Lithuania where the Royal Palace was built as well as the religious temples of San Miguel and San Esteban de Vilna.
In the Czech Republic in the city of Telc is the summer palace of Queen Anne in Belvedere as well as the Prague castle as well as the Ceský castle are examples of Renaissance architecture.
England and Renaissance architecture
With regard to the English nation, it took time to be influenced by Renaissance architecture as it happened in other nations at the end of the fifteenth century.
During the XNUMXth century, a new style known as Tudor was established, which was an extension of Gothic art with qualities typical of the English nation.
At the end of the XNUMXth century and beginning of the XNUMXth century, Elizabethan architecture was open to external influences, including Italian Renaissance architecture and Dutch architecture.
But in the 1573th century, it was possible to impose the classical norms of Renaissance architecture based on the work carried out by Iñigo Jones between 1652 and XNUMX, who studied in Italy and was influenced by Andrea Palladio.
Upon returning to the English nation, Jones was commissioned to design constructions such as the Queen's House in Greenwich in 1616 as well as the Banquet House of the Palace of Whitehall in 1619.
Which are buildings with simple lines as well as symmetry that was something innovative in a nation where split windows were not yet made in addition to cushioning and turrets.
With regard to Hatfield House, it is a construction that the first Earl of Salisbury, Robert Cecil, commissioned between 1607 and 1611, being a great representation of the Tudor style towards Renaissance architecture.
This building fuses the Tudor style with windows where mullion and crenellated roof can be seen, as well as two wings decorated by the facades of Italian palaces.
As for its central façade, made by Iñigo Jones, it had Jacobean-style compositions and the carved staircase shows Italian Renaissance architecture over English decoration.
Although Jones' constructions were already framed in the classicism of the Baroque movement and are represented by masters such as Christopher Wren in the constructions of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London.
But many buildings must have been built after the great fire in the city of London in 1666, being a great opportunity for architects to carry out constructions on new scales never imagined in this city.
The Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni worked on the adaptation of the constructions to the English environment and taste, although the influence of Italian Renaissance architecture is perceived in buildings such as Lyme Hall in Cheshire.
The influence of Italian Renaissance architecture also entered the English sphere thanks to the studies of Andrea Palladio until the entry of Neoclassicism in the XNUMXth century, for which a neo-Renaissance is observed in what refers to the Anglo-Saxon nation and therefore to North America.
Russia and the influence of Renaissance architecture
As for Renaissance architecture in Russia, it is Prince Ivan III who introduces this artistic movement as he invited several Italian architects who brought their innovative techniques with the elements of the Renaissance but merged with Russian architecture.
For the year 1475 the Italian architect named Aristotle Fioravanti was in charge of redesigning the Cathedral of the Dormition which is located in the Moscow Kremlin that was destroyed by an earthquake.
Architecture Transformation
Renaissance architecture is not a copy of the ancient Greco-Roman civilizations but the renewal of classical culture through new aesthetic forms in the space surrounding the building to be built.
The man who is in charge of Renaissance architecture is not a simple mason or sculptor, he is a person with theoretical training from other disciplines of art, since he is in charge of drawing and designing the plans so that others comply with the indications indicated.
For what the contribution of Renaissance architecture is of an aesthetic order, the stamp of his personality is imposed on his work in the first stage through the interpretation of the harmony, simplicity and elegance of classical culture while in the second stage it is look at the monumental effects.
The main architects of the Renaissance era
These architects that we are going to present to you in the section of this article were the people who set the standard in Renaissance architecture thanks to their incredible knowledge in construction, allowing the expansion of this movement to different nations of Europe. Being the following:
Flippo Brunelleschi
He initiated the basic idea of Renaissance architecture through the inspiration of ancient classical civilizations such as the Greek and Roman, integrating this fusion of elements into his constructions in a way previously unknown in Europe.
Among the main works of this character we can mention the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore where he created the first dome, the Pazzi Chapel and as a civil work the House of Education.
It showed a conception of the architect highlighting his own intellectual project as well as the execution of the materials to be used.
Leon Bautista Alberti
He is another of the great representatives of the Renaissance architecture of the Quattrocento studied and wrote a treatise on architecture where he theorized architecture in addition to employing practical rules for its execution.
The term project is derived from this character, which is the essence of the artistic work to be carried out carrying this new style in the city of Florence, thanks to the power of the ruling families in the city, the Rucellai Palace can be mentioned.
In addition to the Church of San Andrés located in Mantua and the Temple of Malatesta for being the name of the family that financed the construction project, although it is the Cathedral of San Francisco de Rimini being a representation of Renaissance architecture dating from the year 1450.
Due to economic problems, it was not possible to finish the project carried out by Alberti, since the religious temple ended with a large dome which would surpass the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola
Through the Society of Jesus, the architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola demonstrated his impact on Renaissance architecture by keeping the indications of the Alberti Treaty to the letter.
Achieving a Mannerist contrast through the illumination of the temples by the filtered light that comes from the side chapels, allowing an explosion of light thanks to the implementation of the dome.
As for the facade, it creates a pediment without losing the proportionality or order taught by Alberti, where the dynamism of Renaissance architecture is evident.
Donato Bramante
One of the most outstanding architects of this era, the founder of the basic principles of Renaissance architecture, had the opportunity to meet Leonardo Da Vinci in person, who influenced the creative vision of this great architect, since it was the vision of Renaissance man.
Since he was multifaceted because he was an inventor, sculptor, painter, among other facets, a great observer of the human figure, so our architect used his ingenuity to create elegant secular homes as well as classic buildings without neglecting his own creations.
The most important of this character is the Basilica of Saint Peter in the city of Rome, which remains today as the establishment of the Vatican.
John of the Herrera
Just as Vignola is identified with the Church of the Gesu, this architect is remembered for his intervention in the monastery of El Escorial and other buildings of great importance, such as the Cathedral of Valladolid in 1585.
He began his work in the El Escorial Monastery in 1563 under the orders of Juan Bautista. Then from the year 1572 he was in charge of directing the construction until it was finished in the year 1584.
He is another of the architects who demonstrated a practical vision coupled with the ability to combine and interpret diverse and unusual ideas while maintaining the order of Renaissance architecture.
His knowledge allowed him to reinforce the conception of creating a work similar to the Temple of Solomon and represented the Spanish Catholic Church.
He highlighted the main facade in addition to building a cover without a background, managing to enclose a patio in front of the temple through geometric shapes from a simple and hermetic vision.
Julius Roman
It is one of the representatives of the Late Renaissance and implemented decoration and elegance combined with austerity in Renaissance architecture.
In addition to the classics of the Renaissance, he broke with paradigms, enriching architecture with pictorial works and sculptures in the symmetrical field of construction.
Therefore, the constructions that Giulio Romano made are provided with decorative elements in addition to paintings, one of the most representative of this character is the Villa del Duque Mantua.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
He was one of the representatives of Renaissance architecture in northern Italy who introduced the common elements of antiquity in his constructions of great prominence. Among the works that represent this great architect is the dome of San Pedro, the Capitol of the city of Rome and the Tomb of the Physicians.
Multifaceted, he was an architect, painter, sculptor, among other facets, he was a maximum representative of the Cinquecento, his style in Renaissance architecture.
Works that stand out in Renaissance architecture
Among the works that stand out the most in this period of the history of Renaissance Art are the following for their great details and elements that their architects merged, demonstrating their great ingenuity and creativity in Renaissance architecture.
Old Saint Peter's Basilica It is one of the most famous buildings of the Renaissance. Various architects, including Michelangelo, worked on this construction.
It is the largest Catholic temple in the world and is located in the city of Rome. Imagine its dimensions when around 120 years were required for its construction, since it began in 1506 and the architectural work was completed in 1626. .
Another of the wonders of Renaissance architecture is the Sistine Chapel this architectural work was part of the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City.
It is known throughout the world for the beautiful images found on the ceiling of the temple which were designed and painted by Michelangelo himself.
This temple was previously known as the Capilla Magna but in 1475 Pope Sixtus IV ordered its restoration and they began to call the work the Sistine Chapel.
In addition to Michelangelo, other artists worked on this work of Renaissance architecture, such as Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
It is said that in the pictorial representation of the creation of Adam made by Michelangelo, the mantle that surrounds God is represented as a silhouette that alludes to the brain of human beings, since this multifaceted artist was passionate about human anatomy.
The Pitti Palace which was built in 1458 for a Florentine banker named Luca Pitti later became the official residence of the Empire of the Medici Family, hence its great importance and the constructions that were later added to this architectural work.
Same with him Farnese Palace which was built in the High Renaissance era in the city of Rome and is a representation of Renaissance architecture was owned by the Farnese family.
Another of the major works of Renaissance architecture is the Dump great sculptural work that was carried out in Spain at the end of the XNUMXth century by order of the King of Spain, which is made up of ordered symmetrical squares, many think that the plan of this work was similar to the Temple of Solomon.
One of the most representative works of Renaissance architecture that we cannot fail to mention is the Pazz Chapeli a masterpiece by the architect Filippo Brunelleschi, although it was not completed until twenty years after the physical disappearance of its author.
Continuing with this exemplary architect we can mention the Basilica of San Lorenzo that from its external facade is not at all interesting because it was left unfinished and was in the hands of Michelangelo.
But its internal structure is impressive. It was built by Brunelleschi in the mid-XNUMXth century and the family that financed the resources were the Medici. This construction was completed after the architect's death.
It is a work of Renaissance architecture made in a rational and harmonious way created for the man who wants to establish communication with God.
We can also name the Basilica of San Andres in Mantua was designed by Leon Battista Alberti creating a huge religious temple composed of a single nave with a spacious interior with large central arches.
San Pietro in Montorio Located in the city of Rome, it was built in honor of Prince John, the only son of the Catholic Monarchs, created by the great architect Donato Bramante, being one of the constructions of Renaissance architecture.
It creates an innovation by giving it greater height and in the end there is a hemispherical dome, being a great success at the time, so do not hesitate to review its images.
The Arch of Alfonso V in the Castel Nuovo in Naples He was the king of the Crown of Aragon. He was known as the Magnanimous. This castle was his court since 1443. Today it is a work that is much visited by tourists.
This fortress belonged to the Anjou from where you could have access to the sea. King Alfonso ordered the construction of a huge Arc de Triomphe next to two immense towers. He always wanted to be the king of Italy but Segismundo Malatesta prevented him in the confrontation that took place in the Piombino.
The Church of the Redeemer in Venice is one of the great works of Andrea Palladio where his ingenuity is observed when creating overlaps as well as crosses.
Being one of the representatives of Renaissance architecture, in one of the facades it draws the width of the building while in the other facade the height, both facades have their own columns, being framed with a background wall.
It has a large dome in addition to the bell towers in a cylindrical shape, giving an eclectic effect to the building, demonstrating its anticipation of mannerism despite its attachment to the classical scheme.
The Renaissance Movement and its contributions to the World
In addition to Renaissance architecture, there were great transformations thanks to the Renaissance, being a new step in philosophical thought and in the Fine Arts.
There was this movement inspired by the rediscovery of ancient civilizations such as the Greek and Roman from a humanistic vision as opposed to orthodox religion.
During this movement great discoveries were made in regard to science such as the heliocentric theory represented by Nicolaus Copernicus where the Sun was the center of the Universe and the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Today that theory is normal but in its time it brought disagreements with the church that treated the discoverers as heretics. In addition, there was another invention that affected the high elites of societies, the Printing Press in the year 1450 created by Johannes Gutenberg.
For this reason, the humanist vision since the human being had the gift of reason and could, through Renaissance architecture, transmit the renewal of the culture of the ancient Greco-Roman civilizations.
The Renaissance being a transitional movement between the Medieval Age and the Modern Age, impacting all areas through the new learning that was arising in all spheres.
So art merged with Renaissance architecture as well as science in the Renaissance period. Leonardo Da Vinci contributed great knowledge in relation to the anatomy of the human body, managing to recreate the human figure with extraordinary precision.
Through the use of mathematics, it was possible to acquire the knowledge that would allow Renaissance architecture to be created, creating incredible buildings as well as domes with an ornamental character, demonstrating an order between beauty and proportionality.
So thinkers like Copernicus, Descartes and Galileo allowed a new advance in astronomy and mathematics that were the basis of Renaissance architecture, achieving the creation of enormous architectural works.
It is through the humanistic vision that is evidenced in the Renaissance that the inhabitants were able to learn to read, write and interpret the readings that they had been doing since the XNUMXth century.
Thanks to this movement that allowed the rediscovery of ancient civilizations and the Bible was also part of this new transformation.
Well, when using the printing press, texts such as the bible were massified, so many people managed to read it for the first time in this period of history and thus made their interpretations, giving rise to the Protestant religion in the hands of the monk Martin Luther of German origin.
The same was a contribution in music because it allowed to print the scores and spread them around the world as a universal language.
It allowed the discovery of new sea routes allowing the expansion of trade and capitalist trade arises in addition to the conquest of a new world America.
Economic interests brought about reforms in the religious sphere, allowing the church to relax since the XNUMXth century on the process of learning to build knowledge through science.
The foundations for what we know today as scientific research were laid thanks to the contributions in various disciplines of knowledge such as astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, allowing learning through mechanics.
Legacy of Renaissance Architecture
They discover perspective and the idea of infinity as well as the vanishing point that were used as primary elements to work on space that can be controlled through reason.
Even the drawing was a fundamental part of Renaissance architecture to formulate the designs giving a unique and individualized characteristic of a professional who is no longer anonymous.
Therefore, Renaissance architecture influences the spatial form of the construction of the buildings to be carried out from a realistic perspective, its maximum representatives being Vignola, Brunelleschi, Alberti, Michelangelo Buonarotti, including Leonardo Da Vinci.
As a curious fact, this last artist was polymath as well as multifaceted, being among his facets: painter, philosopher, musician, anatomist, architect, urban planner, scientist, inventor, botanist, writer, sculptor, philosopher, engineer, poet and urban planner.
Although he did not study architecture as an academic discipline, he made designs and drawings of religious temples in addition to civil works, even giving advice to other architects on urban planning designs regarding their planning for the optimal location of the work to be built.
Conclusion
As for Renaissance architecture, they were the constructions elaborated during the period that corresponds to the European Renaissance that was in charge of covering from the fifteenth century to the sixteenth century.
One of its qualities is the break in the history of architecture with the architectural style that was previously represented as the Gothic inspired by ancient classical civilizations such as Greece and Roman.
Being one of the most perfect models of Fine Arts, Renaissance architecture produced several innovations in different areas of production with the intention of innovating new techniques for building and the implementation of new materials hitherto unknown.
Which allow to expand the architectural language and base their knowledge through a complete theorization in addition to the new attitude of the artisans who go from anonymity.
To a new conception that is professionalization, marking through their skills a personal style in the works they carry out, bringing enhancement and social recognition.
Therefore, these artists were multifaceted and had a comprehensive vision from humanism in Renaissance architecture that focused on civil works as well as religious temples where they created the designs and documented themselves in order to carry out their creations through treaties.
Therefore, Renaissance architecture has a humanistic vision and one of its main points is the progress of man in various fields such as science, spiritual, social, economic and political, showing a new vision of the world.
Due to this, it is evident that Renaissance architecture is multidisciplinary since it focuses on knowledge and reason, so there is no division between knowledge and the arts, bringing a fertile field such as architectural constructions.
The classic is presented in Renaissance architecture without being neoclassical because he discovered treaties that were incomplete and belonged to ancient civilizations such as the Vitruvian treatise and that he later completed with his Alberti ingenuity.
Allowing a new reading of Renaissance architecture and its application in this new movement through order and beauty using knowledge to create the domes and arcades thanks to mathematics, elements of the ancient classical language were also incorporated.
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