The Renaissance Was a Revolutionary Period - 2551 Words

In history, revolution is the reason for constant shift in society. Many eras have come and gone and only some have left a significant impact on the world. In order for an era to be revolutionary, it has to leave a long lasting influence through social, economic and political means. Historians debate whether the Renaissance was considered a revolutionary period of history or not, however the Renaissance means â€Å"rebirth† and laid the foundation of the current era, the Modern Times. The Renaissance is a revolutionary period of history due to the far-reaching changes in art, politics, science and technology, as well as religion. During this period, art became more realistic, politics became based on merit, science and technology reached its†¦show more content†¦Another technique that was developed was perspective. Perspective was formed with the creation of the vanishing point to make paintings more realistic. Masaccio was one of the great painters of his time becau se of his skill of recreating lifelike figures and movement, along with portraying a sense of three-dimensionality. One of Masaccio’s greatest paintings is the Holy Trinity which was painted in 1427. This painting has a great use of perspective and chiaroscuro to show realism. Chiaroscuro was another technique that was formed to show light and dark intensities to give the impression of depth and texture as well as a source of light. With the use of different shades of colour, sfumato was a new technique that emerged during this time that produces soft, imperceptible transitions between colours and tones to show blending and oneness. These techniques established a basis of modern art. These techniques are still used till this day and have shaped the way art is currently produced. Along with the different kinds of techniques of art, a shift in artistic themes occurred due to a change in the artist’s perception of life and their values. The Renaissance is an era that was home to some of the most influential artists of all time – Michelangelo Buonarotti, Raffaello Sanzio, and Leonardo di Vinci were few of the many. One main characteristicShow MoreRelatedThe Renaissance in Europe1418 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Renaissance†, which is French for â€Å"rebirth†, perfectly describes the rebirth of art and learning that occurred in Europe between the 1400s and 1600s. During the era known as the Renaissance, Europe underwent a cultural movement in which people regained interest in the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome. A renewed interest in philosophy and human individuality lead to the development of more worldly and nonreligious focuses. Europe sought knowledge from the ancient world and moved out of the DarkRead MoreEssay on The Renais sance: Visual Analysis1515 Words   |  7 PagesHigh Renaissance Visual Analysis Introduction Generally believed to have begun in Florence, the Renaissance – also known as the ‘Rebirth’ – was a period of reviving interest in classical art and the beginning of scientific revolution. The Renaissance period did not begin abruptly; instead, it was an idea that took shape since the time of the painter Giotto (Gombrich 2007). In the early Renaissance period, Giotto experimented with and laid the foundation for painting with perspective, a methodRead MoreCharacteristics Of The Renaissance1547 Words   |  7 PagesFlorence, the Renaissance – also known as the ‘Rebirth’ – was a period of reviving interest in classical art and the beginning of scientific revolution. The Renaissance period did not begin abruptly; instead, it was an idea that took shape since the time of the painter Giotto (Gombrich 2007). In the early Renaissance period, Giotto experimented with and laid the foundation for painting with perspective, a method that wa s refined and perfected by later painters and sculptors. The period towards theRead MoreAnalysis Of Jan Van Eyck s The Dutch And Flemish1721 Words   |  7 PagesThe Renaissance was a time of rebirth, and evolution in artwork all around Europe. Up in the North, right behind the Italians, the Dutch and Flemish were gearing up for their own shift in artwork to surpass their neighbors. Following inspiration from their Italian neighbors, and the International Gothic style, they looked forward and redefined painting as a style, while also changing arts meaning. Making the characters true to life in artwork was a new feat never before seen until the High RenaissanceRead MoreRoyals and Peasants in the Renaissance889 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the Renaissance there is a clear difference between the royals and peasants. Courtesans were sent to schools where they learned steps and techniques to be used in performances as well as the behaviors to have during court. This is when set steps an d positions first came about, although there was no written diction of these steps. The only way to know or see these steps today is through paintings and artist renditions of the courts events. There are a lot of geometric shapes seen during thisRead MoreThe American Renissance1169 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom the level of animals to the heights of civilized human beings. Renaissance was a cultural revolution that spanned roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the late Middle Ages and later spread to the rest of the Europe. American renaissance also was intended to be a cultural revolution led by the causes of cultural aspects but resulted in the birth of several social problems American renaissance was initially a cultural revolution but is characterized differently basedRead MoreThe Italian Renaissance Essay772 Words   |  4 PagesThe Italian Renaissance Throughout history many art movements have emerged that artists and styles are classified under. One large contributing movement over the time period from about 1450 to about 1600 was known as the Italian Renaissance. However, what a large portion of people do not realize is that the Italian Renaissance was actually two main movements during that period of time. Each movement had key artists and a variation in style from the other movements. These two movementsRead MoreRenaissance Art : A Rebirth Of Classical Learning And The Rediscovery Of Greece862 Words   |  4 PagesRenaissance Art The Renaissance art reflected a rebirth of classical learning and the rediscovery of Greece and Ancient Rome. The Renaissance began in Northern Italy right after the Black Death which was also known as the Plague, a disease that had occurred killing almost half of the Europe’s population. The only way to avoid the disease was to leave the city to a country, however, only the rich were able to afford the trip verses the poor. The plague had led to an economic depression, there wereRead MoreImportance Of The Renaissance828 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscussion, is Arthur Erickson’s above. It summarises why the Renaissance was such a remarkable period of discovery and advancement for mankind. There were a series of revolutionary steps forward in the medical field. Many new scientific discoveries and cures were found and equally fascinating, at the same time many established techniques and theories dating back to medieval times were proven incorrect and abandoned. Also during t he Renaissance, there were a range of radical engineering and mechanicalRead MoreThe Renaissance Er Leonardo Da Vinci1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe Renaissance was a revolutionary period in European history from the 14th to the 17th century. Its movement began in Italy, but spread throughout Europe. The Renaissance brought many new things to Europe like classical texts, scientific discoveries and new technology, novels, and creative new styles of art. One of the most famous figures of the Renaissance era is Leonardo Da Vinci. His work displayed the humanist ideas that defined the Renaissance era. He was a botanist, writer, geologist, cartographer

South Africa The Vaal Triangle - 1210 Words

The Vaal Triangle The Vaal Triangle is made up of the complex industrial towns: Sasolburg and Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark. This triangle of industry is situated in the Highveld region of South Africa; it is estimated to be above 1500m above sea level in altitude and inhabits more than one million inhabitants. The Vaal Triangle consists of 6 racial townships which are located near the towns (due to Apartheid) for example: Boipatong, Bophelong, Sebokeng and Sharpeville. Sharpeville The township of Sharpeville occupies an area of 4.99km2 which is able to hold approximately 12 710 (2 439.35 per km2) households and a population of 37 599 (7 536.33 per km2) [Census 2011.2011]. This township is predominantly a Sesotho black township; there is a very small population other cultural groups and ethnic groups. Sharpeville previously known as Sharpe Native Township, is one of the areas whereby people were separated into different racial groups. Originally the people of Sharpeville were from Top Location, the reason for the relocation was because: â€Å"it was felt black people were too close to Vereeniging for comfort.† [Vaal Triangle Info. 2005]. The relocating of the people took 20 years to happen since the building of houses only began in 1942. [Vaal Triangle Info. 2005]. There are centripetal forces (pull forces) in accordance to the industry and schooling in Vanderbijlpark. Vanderbijlpark Vanderbijlpark is the industrial city. Vanderbijlpark is a place of education; there

Gullivers Travel Satire free essay sample

Lilliput and its rival kingdom of Blefuscu carry on as if their affairs were just as vital as those of European nations, and their nations just as capable, despite the fact that Gulliver could step on them all if he wished. As he records their society, court intrigues, religious disputes, and wars, it becomes clear that European politicians and aristocrats share much of the ridiculousness of the Lilliputians. When Gulliver is finally forced to leave Lilliput, it is because of trumped-up charges of treason fabricated by court enemies. He spends a short time in Blefuscu, but because Lilliput threatens war over his presence there, he resolves to leave rather than cause further trouble. When Gulliver journeys to a land of giants called Brobdingnag he experiences what it feels like to be a Lilliputian, as the giants are as much larger than him as he is larger than a Lilliputian. Gullivers various brushes with death are humorous, but Swift also uses them to reinforce a major focus of this section: just as Lilliputian affairs are ridiculous because of their smallness, human pretensions are ridiculous as well. We will write a custom essay sample on Gullivers Travel Satire or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Swifts second major target for satire appears when Gulliver tries to show the Brobdingnagian king the greatness of England; he succeeds only in showing its corruption. While English civilization is more complex and more technologically advanced than Brobdingnag, a large portion of the technology is devoted to war and destruction, and much of the complexity of law and government is an opportunity for massive corruption. Swifts satire has expanded in this section to cover the entire nation, and other European nations as well. A Voyage to Laputa: Pretensions to Knowledge Gullivers third voyage, to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan, is divided into four main sections (his visit to Japan at the end is brief). Each stop on Gullivers trip mocks mankinds claims to knowledge and understanding in some way. Laputa, as an island of absent-minded thinkers floating in the air, gives a good picture of a people with impressive thoughts, but no good connection to reality. When Gulliver leaves for the land of Balnibarbi below and enters the city of Lagado, the satire turns much harsher. Swift portrays there a group of men who, after spending some time in Laputa, attempted to apply their pet theories to the improvement of the country. But their ridiculous schemes have ruined it, because the theories took no account of reality. Still, most people follow their schemes, for they are after all new, modern, and scientific. Glubbdubdrib is a land where magicians can temporarily bring the dead back to earth, allowing Gulliver to speak to various famous historical figures. He discovers, though, that much of the history he has read is inaccurate, through either the ignorance or bias of the historians. Swift also takes this opportunity to speak again of the frequent evil of even honored men such as religious leaders and aristocrats. In Luggnagg, Gulliver himself comes in for mockery. Upon hearing of the existence of immortals in the land, he begins to imagine the greatness of their lives, and sketches out the life of learning and leadership he would live were he to be immortal. His host then informs him of one thing he has failed to understand the immortals do not have eternal youth a fact that overthrows his whole grand scheme. A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms: Human Beastliness Gullivers final voyage is to a land of intelligent horses called Houyhnhnms, and beastly human-like creatures called Yahoos. In his depiction of the Yahoos, and the parallels he draws between their brutish behavior and that of humans, Swift expands his satire to the evils of the entire human race. The perfectly rational and virtuous Houyhnhnms provide sharp contrast to this, leading Gulliver to eventually become so ashamed of his humanity he almost begins to act like a horse. Despite Gullivers eventual elimination of some of his bad tendencies through imitation of the Houyhnhnms, he is eventually exiled on the argument that his combination of greater intelligence than Yahoos and lesser virtue than Houyhnhnms makes him dangerous. The end of the story presents Gullivers dilemma: he is now horrified by his fellow humans, yet his behavior in talking to horses and refusing to eat with his family is enough to make the reader wonder if he is insane. Gullivers dilemma is also humanitys. Developing greater virtue can lead to hating humanitys corrupt nature, but trying to escape ones own human nature because of its corruption is insanity. So throughout Gullivers Travels, Swift repeatedly satirizes human corruption and inadequacy from a variety of angles. The four adventures progressively increase the scope and forcefulness of these attacks, leading to the thematic climax that ties off the plot.