English Renaissance Flashcards
English Renaissance
Mid 16th-17th Century
Tudor
1485-1603
Until Elizabeth I Renaissance was
NOT influential
Elizabeth I
(1558-1603)
1580’s Elizabeth I decided to make England…
the most powerful state in Europe
How did England become powerful
Focused on navy, built ships
English country houses
emerged as a new type Accepting part of Italian Renaissance in composition
English country houses interior vs exterior
Symmetrical exterior & asymmetrical interior
Renaissance exterior & medieval interior
English country houses features
Use of hall with strong wood beams and screens
Large windows offer a space that is almost cathedral like
Use of little domes on top of building (Elizabethans liked to use the roof as a space)
Longleat House
Wittshire 1568-1580
The Great Hall elements
Still looks medieval, but has renaissance elements
what made great hall both medieval and renaissance
Wood and white wall construction with more delicate elements
Detailed light carvings
Classical columns and carved figures of humans
Furniture layout is very disciplined, but has lighter elements
Hardwick Hall
Derbyshire 1590-1597
Hardwick Hall architect
Robert Smytson
Hardwick Hall hierarchy
More important levels are taller
Hardwick Hall roof and top floor
are social spaces - different from Italy
Hardwick Hall elements
Little domes or orioles turned into towers
Towers break up the façade
Vertical and gothic roof line
how are stairs different in england
Rains more in England so most interior stairs become grander than exterior
most important room in Hardwick hall
High great chamber
Hardwick hall rooms
Rooms are defined by colors (blue room, green room, etc.)
Tapestry walls create illusionistic scenes
Hardwick Hall interior vs exterior
Disconnect between what the exterior looks like compared to what is actually inside
Libraries at this time
Masculine space and design / darker wood spaces with little to no textiles
Long gallery
interior space to gather and walk through when raining
long gallery purpose
replaces garden / Chance to frame and display artwork to show wealth
What does Britain love
Plaster work