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How to use this content:
As listed on the “Start Here” page for this unit, one of the unit objectives is “Identify Key Historical Facts” This objective will be assessed by the unit quiz. While reading and watching the content in the following links and videos, make note of historical facts and information so you can return to them as needed when working on the unit quiz. Be on the lookout for names of artists, influential people, artworks, important events, trends and values in the culture.
Reading 9: High Renaissance
Every idea has an arc of development – it starts out slowly and awkwardly, and then reaches its full expression with works that achieve a perfect expression of that idea. For the Renaissance the idea was to capture the optical reality of the three dimensional world, at the same time creating an ordered, rational, and beautiful version of that world. The artist of the High Renaissance represent the finest expressions of that idea, creating some of the Western world’s most beloved visual artworks.
Link #1: Toward the High Renaissance Intro
Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo was one of the superstars of the Italian Renaissance: a brilliant thinker, engineer, and inventor as well as painter.
Link #2: Leonardo
Link #3: Mona Lisa on Smarthistory
Link #4: Last Supper on SmartHistory
Raphael
Another towering giant of Renaissance Italy, Raphael traveled in influential circles and created some of the most important artworks of the era.
Link #5: School of Athens on Smarthistory
Michelangelo
Perhaps the most famous artist from the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo was an incredible talent who produced some of the most famous artworks in Western history.
Link #6: Michelangelo’s David on Smarthistory
Link #7: Sistine Chapel on Smarthistory
Venice
A unique geographical setting, gorgeous northern light, an international trade port, wealthy patrons and talented artists all worked to create the unique arts of Venice.
Link #8: Venice Overview
Link #9: Oil paint in Venice
Link #10: Titian Venus of Urbino
More Learning Resources
Remember, since we can’t cover everything about art in this class, these reading assignments are based on the choices I have made for what to include, but there is much more that has not been included. If you are interested in learning more, please remember that our primary source, the Khan Academy, has lots of other videos and articles that explore this time and culture even further. You can explore them at Khan Academy (Italian High Renaissance) or SmartHistory (Italian High Renaissance).
The following links are not required reading for this unit, but if you are interested in learning more, you might enjoy exploring these resources
School of Athens on Wikipedia – identifies all the characters