William Zou<\/p>\n
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A Book Review on\u00a0\u201cLectures on Art- the Philosophy of Art in Italy, Netherlands and Greece\u201d by H. Taine<\/p>\n
The Renaissance was a dramatic forward motion in European culture that reached its climax during the late 14th<\/sup> and early 15th<\/sup> centuries. It marked the end of the medieval ages and the beginning of modern culture. Starting in Florence, Italy, it gradually spread to encompass all of Europe, bringing advancements to the arts, sciences, and politics.<\/p>\n Among the most influential was \u00a0Italian art. The major representatives were da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Giorgione, Titian, Veronese, and Correggio.<\/p>\n The French historian and critic Hippolyte Taine\u2019s \u201cLectures on Art- the Philosophy of Art inItaly,NetherlandsandGreece\u201d gives a concise account of his perspective of the Renaissance. According to Taine, the appearance of masterpieces was not a matter of mere occurrence but a tendency of the entire nation.<\/p>\n \u201cRace, milieu et moment\u201d<\/em> is Taine\u2019s scientific approach towards art and literature. Translating into \u201cnation, environment, and time,\u201d these three factors can offer an explanation on why the Renaissance began inItaly and why it produced the art that it did.<\/p>\n Taine\u2019s \u201cLectures on Art\u201d states that for a nation to produce great artwork the people must first be cultivated.\u00a0 The people of Italy were able progress ahead of the rest of Europe during the 14th<\/sup> and 15th<\/sup> centuries. Even a peasant, Taine states, would be able to advance opinions, discuss politics, and appreciate art and literature. Classical art and literature were as revered back then as rock or pop is today. The support of the public gave the artists inspiration to create. For instance, Pope Leo the tenth gave five hundred ducats to a poet whose verse had delighted him.<\/p>\n The rest of Europe, however, were undergoing difficult times. England for instance, was entering the War of the Two Roses; in Germany, the Hussite Wars were breaking out; and France had been devastated by wars with England. All things considered, it is no wonder that the Renaissance spiraled out fromItaly.<\/p>\n Looking at a timeline, one can see that the Renaissance borders the medieval ages and modern culture: between barbarism and civilization. Mankind has not yet completely abandoned its \u201cbellicose instincts.\u201d This is an age where people focused as much, if not more, on the physical body than mental ability. From here, Taine draws the conclusion that the artists\u2019 interests in drawing the human body of perfection is of no coincidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n Taine also summarizes the nature of the Italian art:<\/p>\n \u201cThe imagination of the Italian is classic (Greek and Latin)\u2026 It disdains or neglects landscape\u2026It comprehends man better than nature; it better comprehends man in society than the barbarian\u2026 and the entire work conveys the idea of a corporeal world like that of ancient Olympus, that is to say, heroic or divine\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n This can be further seen from Michelangelo\u2019s declaration that \u201cthese must be abandoned to the pleasure and profit of minor talents, and that the true object of art is the human figure\u201d.<\/p>\n Taine\u2019s account of art has been influential. Although there may be certain limitations to his analysis, it still can be taken into consideration. The approach of \u201crace, milieu et moment\u201d<\/em> has its own merits.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" William Zou \u00a0 A Book Review on\u00a0\u201cLectures on Art- the Philosophy of Art in Italy, Netherlands and Greece\u201d by H. Taine The Renaissance was a dramatic forward motion in European culture that reached its climax during the late 14th and … Continue reading