Italian Renaissance Flashcards
Renaissance
Italy (start) 15th-17th century
In the 15th c _______ was rediscovered
ancient classism
what began to indicate that the world was not perfect, destabilizing people’s view of the world
Science branches such as biology, zoology, etc.
what did the Renaissance look at for inspiration
Greek and Roman architecture
Room types in Palazzo (urban dwelling space)
Stanza, Sala, Camera, Studiolo
Stanza
dining room
Sala
multi-functional general halls
Camera
bedroom
Studiolo
little studios where precious objects were kept
who were studiolos for
rich men and sometimes women
Suburban Villa
Wealthy family with multiple properties
This is the vacation space
Suburban Villa use
Not for total relaxation, instead for learning and intellectuals
Suburban Villa features
A new building type
Half open, half inclosed transitional spaces which mediate between man and nature
Ornamental elements are naturalistic
Geometricized natural elements
ground level of a Suburban Villa
Seems insignificant
Small almost hidden windows
Earlier books and drawings don’t even mention these spaces
Service areas here
Thicker walls on ground floor to support the upper levels
Grand staircase goes to where in a Suburban Villa
Piano Nobile
Paino Nobile
Principle story in a palazzo
Major public space
Elegantly decorated
Suburban Villa Porticos are like
Greek Temples
Suburban Villas are
symmetrical
Suburban Villa top story
Attic
Large windows
Private rooms
Characteristics of Renaissance Interiors (proportions)
Introduction of exterior architecture elements in interior spaces
Humanistic & harmonic proportions
Attention to mathematical proportions of architecture which reflected the harmony of the universe
Use of grotesque work interwoven with foliage and flowers in flowing lines.
Grotesques sometimes covered an entire wall and were depicted in frescoes, stucco, textiles, and even used on furniture.
Grotesque: representations of portions of human and animal figures, monsters, etc.
Use of arabesque.
A combination of plant, and animal forms arranged in an intertwining manner, it was arranged vertically.
Use of rinceaux
as ornamental detail for interiors and furniture (decorative border or strip, featuring stylized foliage)
Use of pietra serene
(serene rock, grey color) and pietraforte (strong rock, light brown color), two types of sandstone especially in Italy.
Vitruvian Man
Vitruvius’s theory of the harmonious relationship between geometry and human proportions (1st century BC)
Palazzo Strozzi
Italy (1489)
Loggia
a pass way to the ceremonial apartment
Intarsia
inlay process used in Italian Renaissance. It required the gouging out of the base material in the shape of the rather thick piece to be inserted. Multicolored inlaid wood created pictures of artificial perspectives of cabinet doors
Intarsia was used where
design feature used in many studiolos
Rustication
the basement story exterior is constructed with rough masonry
why was rustication used
An effect like it is more naturally emerging from the earth was earlier used by the romans
It also gave a tough impression to the building. The implication of hierarchy between earth and human beings is represented through the rustication of columns