The Renaissance Period: Art and Music

• The Renaissance period was a time of great change in Europe, with art and science flourishing.
• One of the key changes during the Renaissance was the re-discovery of classical antiquity. This led to the 'human standard' returning, with subjects such as everyday life becoming interesting again.
• Important painting techniques such as linear perspective and atmospheric perspective were developed during the Renaissance.
• Rafael Santi's painting The School of Athens is a good example of the use of linear perspective. The two people emerging from the crowd are depicted in a realistic way, with lines representing their depth.
• Sfumato is a technique in which parts of a painting are deliberately blurry, to give the impression of a hazy atmosphere.
• The Renaissance was a time of great change in other art disciplines, with paintings such as landscape becoming more popular.
• The Renaissance was a time of great change in art, with artists experimenting with new techniques and themes.
• Italian artists were the pioneers of the Renaissance, and their works can be seen in architecture, sculpture, and painting.
• Polyphony, or the use of multiple singers to create a complex sound, was a hallmark of Renaissance music.
• Madrigals, or secular songs, were a popular form of music during the Renaissance.
• The Renaissance saw the development of many important instruments, including the viola da gamba, lute, and organ.
• During the Renaissance, classical antiquity was rediscovered and more interest was shown in it than in the Middle Ages.
• The church will have a less present role during the Renaissance than in the Middle Ages, as society and discoveries have changed so much.
• Painting during the Renaissance became more complex and text was less important than in the Middle Ages.
• Sculpture during the Renaissance was more realistic and anatomically correct, with smooth and dreamy faces.
• Music during the Renaissance became more polyphonic and worldly, with more text being less important than in the Middle Ages.
• The Renaissance saw the popularity of instruments such as the organ and the lute.

Test your knowledge of the Renaissance period's impact on art and music, from the re-discovery of classical antiquity to the development of new techniques and musical forms.