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Definition of Humanism - American Humanist Association

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Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good. - American Humanist Association Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion.

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EPPH | Bandinelli's Hercules and Cacus (1525-34)

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Short and surprising explanations of Western masterpieces. EPPH reveals the universal themes around which artists have long weaved visual illusions. We make understanding art fun.

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Sculptor: Bartolomeo Bandinelli

About the Sculptor:

Born: October 17, 1493 in Florence, Italy

Death: February 7, 1560 in Florence, Italy.

About the the Sculpture:

Made in: 1525 - took 9 years to complete - completed in 1534

Location Of Statue: Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy

Material(s) + Dimensions: White marble

Hercules has a club in his hand.

Sculptor made sure the faces were a self-portrait.

It was appropriated by Pope Clement VII around 1523.

The Medici Family commissioned the work.

Made to be next to Michelangelo's David at the Palazzo Vecchio.

Story behind it:

The story of Hercules is killing the Monster Cacus was used as a symbol of strength.

Even Hercules' victim, Cacus, who is kneeling, shares Hercules' hairstyle, the curl to his lower lip and the creases on his forehead.

Cacus' nose is really different and its prominence intentionally persuades the casual viewer to see two different people.

Questions:

1. Why did you choose this piece?

I chose this piece because it was one of the pieces I enjoyed learning about.

2. What was the purpose and audience?

It was made to contrast next to Michelangelo's David, so it's audience was probably the people who visited the Palazzo Vecchio, so it was a not only a contrast, but a competition to David.

3. How does it connect to the time period?

It shows all the details of the human body and is not modified to show Hercules as a god.

4. How does it reflect Renaissance values?

Having a deeper meaning to the piece “We will forever be hammered by reality”

In the making of this piece, the artist used techniques to make the faces of the figures to resemble his, but still be individual faces at the same time.

5. How did it contribute to the change in social values?

Perhaps it didn't have a big impact in social values, but it certainly caused some disturbance between Michelangelo and Bartolomeo Bandinelli, since it was highly loved all over Italy.

6. Is there still any meaning in the piece for today’s world?

Like the other pieces featured in this Padlet, it doesn't have a big influence now, so it is just another piece of work that shows how art was made back now.

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Sculptor: Donatello

About the Sculptor:

Born: 1386 in Florence, Italy.

Death:  December 13, 1466 in Florence, Italy.

About the Sculpture:
Features:

Dimensions: 33.1cmx32cm

Mary holds Christ, protecting him.

Made of: marble, stone and rock.

Angels floating around them, but main focus is on Christ.

Hand presses into flesh of christ.

The way fingertips press into clothes.

Realism, human emotion; sadness, since Mary knows what is going to happen to the baby.

Naturalism → Clouds, heaven etc.

Detailed to seem like there is beautiful fingertips.

Some angels don’t have full bodies, which makes Mary and christ stand out.

Questions:

1. Why did you choose this piece?

I chose this piece since it was on of the pieces made in the renaissance that was not greek and featured Christ and Mary and did not address humanism specifically.

2. What was the purpose and audience?

The purpose of this sculpture was to nod towards the story of Christ and Mary's love for him.

The audience was society, since it would push for more dependence on god, and his beliefs.

3. How does it connect to the time period?

This piece expresses realism and human emotion, with both show respect for the human body as a creation of god.

4. How does it reflect Renaissance values?

During the Renaissance, detail was a very big part of art, in this sculpture, there are many techniques used to create fingers and when Mary's hand presses into Christs flesh, it looks very realistic.

5. How did it contribute to the change in social values?

It is a very emotional sculpture and reminds people of god, which goes against the questioning and confusion at the time.

6. Is there still any meaning in the piece for today’s world?

There isn't that much impact in the present world, but it is still and beautiful piece, which is very evident.

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Тахонов Иван

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John Dunstable - Veni Sancte Spiritus/Veni Creator Spiritus

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Composer: John Dunstable (Dunstaple)

About the composer:

Born: 1390 in England, United Kingdom.

Death: December 24, 1453 in London United Kingdom.

Has approximately 60 surviving pieces of music.

About the composition:

Veni Santé Spiritus, which is Latin, translated means 'Come Holy Spirt'.

Veni Sancte Spiritus is an isorhythmic motet for four voices.

The addition of the contra-tenor, which is a male singer hitting vocal range that are equivalent to that of the female who is able to hit a high note.

Musica Ficta, which is note added at the time of the performance, in other words a note not present at the time, was is still present as well as modal elements such as a Lydian fourth.

Questions:

1. Why you choose this piece?

I chose this piece because it has many elements that were specifically used in the Renaissance.

2. What was the purpose and audience?

Was the people, who were were questioning if god was dependable or not, and the definition of the title itself is 'Come Holy Spirit' with suggests that it was trying to send more god's influence into the rest of society.

3. How does it connect to the time period?

the Lydian fourth which was typically used in Renaissance and Medieval ages.

It influences god's spirit at a time of confusion.

4. How does it reflect Renaissance values?

Some of the techniques of singing and some of the instruments specifically became popular in this time period.

5. How did it contribute to the change in social values?

Goes against the belief of humanism, therefore having an impact on society.

6. Is there still any meaning in the piece for today’s world?

A piece of music that shows how music has changed (drastically) over such a long period of time.

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Artist: Sandro Botticelli

About the artist:

Born: March 1, 1445 in Florence, Italy.

Death: May 15, 1510 (78 years - could barely stand up; very weak) in Florence, Italy.

About the painting:

Features:

Venus standing on a shell.

Shell connects Venus’ origin (the sea).

Other facts:

Probably made in mid 1480s

Painting is in Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

Story behind it:

Depicts Venus (Roman version of Aphrodite - Goddess of love, beauty, youth and doves) arriving at shore after her birth, when she had emerged from the sea fully-grown.

Venus had many abilities that went beyond the abilities of Aphrodite (Greek version of Venus); she was a goddess of victory, fertility, and even prostitution.

Aphrodite/Venus was born of the foam from the sea after Saturn (Cronus in Greek) castrated his father Uranus (Ouranos in Greek) and his blood fell to the sea.

Known as the “Birth of Venus”, the composition actually shows Venus arriving on land, on the island of Cyprus. She was born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds, Zephyr and Aura.

She is standing on a giant scallop shell.

She is met by a young woman, who is sometimes identified as one of the Graces or other times as the Hora of spring, she holds out a cloak covered in flowers.

The roses, which are blown in by the wind are a reminder of spring.

Questions:

1. Why you choose this piece?

I chose this piece because I really enjoyed learning about it.

2. What was the purpose and audience?

The work was probably commissioned by a member of the Medici family, although there is nothing written about the painting before 1550.

Unlike the “Allegory of Spring” which is also by Sandro Botticelli, which is painted on wood, the “Birth of Venus” was painted on canvas, which was widely used throughout the 15th century for decorative works made no for noble houses.

3. How does it connect to the time period?

The renaissance was a time of 'rebirth' and this shows basically that.

humanism was a big part of the renaissance, and is portrayed when the human body is shown and is respected as a creation of god, which it was.

4. How does it reflect Renaissance values?

The Renaissance was also a time when technical mastery was at it's highest point.

The amount of detail in this piece shows how much technicality went into it.

5. How did it contribute to the change in social values?

Perhaps it encouraged people to really look at the human body (Venus, who has the body of a human) and accept that gods and humans are alike.

6. Is there still any meaning in the piece for today’s world?

It plays a part in showing how art changed over time and history.

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Artist: Raphael
About the artist:

Born: 1483 in Urbino, Italy.

Death: April 20, 1520 in Rome, Italy.

About the painting:
Features:

Dimensions: 5mx7.7m.

The subject is Ancient Greece, hence the Greek architecture and the Greek Gods' statues in the background.

The painting also depicts great greek philosophers (Plato and Aristotle) which are the 2 central figures wearing orange; purple and light blue; burnt yellow respectively.

Other Facts:

Was hugely influential during the time; it was remembered as perfection of artistic ideals from that time period.

Part of Raphaels's commission to decorate the Stanze di Raffaello, better known as the Raphael rooms located inside the Apostolic Palace in Vatican.

Made during the High Renaissance.

High Renaissance:

The High Renaissance was the period denoting the apogee of the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance.

It began in approximately 1490.

It was the time when art was at it's peak of technical mastery.

Other famous artists fro this time: Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Titian etc.

Fun Fact:

All of the Artists above and more traveled to Rome to study and produce art.

Questions:

1. Why you choose this piece?

I chose this piece because I really enjoyed learning about it.

2. What was the purpose and audience?

The painting was made as a commission to decorate the famous Raphael Rooms (Stanze de Raffaelleo).

The audience was probably everyone, since times were changing, maybe the philosophy represents current state of mind/questioning and the gods in background symbolize the past.

3. How does it connect to the time period?

The Renaissance was a time of 'rebirth', and the belief in philosophy and humanism was at it highest. Therefore the philosophers in the painting encourage more trust in philosophy and science other than the strong dependence on god.

4. How does it reflect Renaissance values?

The Renaissance was a time of technical mastery and this piece was hugely influential at the time and was remembered as perfection of artistic ideals.

5. How did it contribute to the change in social values?

The philosophers empower those who encourage humanism and motivate them to keep going.

6. Is there still any meaning in the piece for today’s world?

This is yet another piece that plays a part in showing how art changed over time and history.

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Renaissance was the era of 'rebirth'. It was a time when people were exploring areas outside of religion, the belief of god. The aftermath of Black Death, or the Plague as many know it, left millions of lives gone and the stronger faith in god along with it. The people were questioning if god was the answer and if the should listen to the church. This leads to humanism and it's impact.

"Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good" (by American Humanist Associate). Humanism was a very big part of the Renaissance period. It influenced people to take action based on their beliefs and to fight for 'the people'.