Author Bio: Though the ideas are those of Leon Battista Alberti, the article is by Giorgio Vasari. Vasari was an Italian painter, architect, and writer best known for his biographies of Italian Renaissance artists. Vasari trained in Florence and had both the friendship and patronage of the Medici family. He is known to have obvious bias towards Italian arts and when facts were scarce, to have occasionally filled in the blanks with questionable accuracy. Despite this, Vasari's work represents the first major and highly influential example of modern historiography.
Context: Vasari first shares Alberti's ideas on scholarship and art and then goes on to reflect back on how Alberti exemplified his ideas. Vasari lived from 1511-1572. Alberti lived from 1404-1472 and was a humanist, architect, and the principal initiator of Renaissance art theory. He is considered to have been the closest to being a "universal man" before Leonardo DaVinci for his deep involvement in both the arts and the sciences. In this excerpt, Vasari reflects Alberti's ideas that science and learning is essential for one to have advantages, especially for the artist. The unity and execution of science in art, he believed, was paramount to success. This makes sense, for, as an architect, he used the concepts of science in order to better his artistic endeavors.
Summary: Vasari begins by using the words of Leon Battista Alberti. Alberti says that knowledge of the sciences and education are of great advantage to everyone, but especially artists. The sciences provide the knowledge needed in order to perfect creations of the painter, the sculptor, and the architect. Furthermore, being a "learned man" or a man of science gives the artist far more credit than he would have on his own. By being educated, the scholar and the artist have much more clout in the community and when they put their knowledge to practice, they are much more likely to be believed, accepted, and accredited.
Vasari then inserts his own commentary. He says that this idea of combining science/education and art is no better personified that in Alberti. Alberti studied Latin and science as well as architecture, perspective, and painting. He wrote several books that increased his fame and reputation. Vasari says that there were most likely far more artistically talented men than Alberti, but that it was the fact that he was educated and wrote such strong, eloquent books that sets him above many others. As a result, Alberti is known for his writings and subsequently his artistic works, rather than the other way around.
Key Quotation: "But when theory and practice chance to be happily united in the same person, nothing can be more suitable to the life and vocation of artists, as because art is rendered much richer and more perfect by the aid of science..."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
"A Tribute to Petrarch"
Author Bio: Leonardo Bruni (c. 1370-1444)- Italian "civic humanist" dedicated to both study of the classics and service to one's city-state, Bruni wrote extensively about the famous classical figures and values. His most famous work is History of the Florentine People, but he was also an excellent scholar in translating works of Plato, Aristotle, and Demosthenes into Latin, recording accounts of the lives of Petrarch and Dante, and serving as chancellor of Florence. Bruni obviously not only greatly admired Petrarch, classical thinkers, and their work, but also embraced many of the same humanist values as these subjects.
Date/Context: This tribute was written in 1436, about sixty years after Petrarch's death, still in the time period of the early Renaissance. The text was written with the intention of eulogizing Petrarch's life, at a time when the Renaissance was gaining momentum and humanist ideals were again coming to the forefront of intellectual discussion. "A Tribute to Petrarch" is an excerpt from Bruni's work, "Petrarca and the Art of Poetry."
Summary: Bruni opens with a description of the glories of the Latin language, including its significance at the time of Cicero, a classical writer, and its eventual decline. Bruni attributes its resurrection, along with the resurrection of humanist ideals, to Petrarch. Through diligent and humble study, Petrarch was able to emulate the classical style as it had appeared, especially in Cicero's works, and help to make it more accessible to those who would follow him. Bruni goes on to extol Petrarch's gifts in both poetry and prose, an unusual combination that set him apart from other famous writers of his day and in classical times.
Important Quote:
"Francisco Petrarch was the first who had such grace of talent, and who recognized and restored to light the ancient elegance of style which was lost and dead, and although in him it was not perfect, nevertheless by himself he saw and opened the way to this perfection..."
Date/Context: This tribute was written in 1436, about sixty years after Petrarch's death, still in the time period of the early Renaissance. The text was written with the intention of eulogizing Petrarch's life, at a time when the Renaissance was gaining momentum and humanist ideals were again coming to the forefront of intellectual discussion. "A Tribute to Petrarch" is an excerpt from Bruni's work, "Petrarca and the Art of Poetry."
Summary: Bruni opens with a description of the glories of the Latin language, including its significance at the time of Cicero, a classical writer, and its eventual decline. Bruni attributes its resurrection, along with the resurrection of humanist ideals, to Petrarch. Through diligent and humble study, Petrarch was able to emulate the classical style as it had appeared, especially in Cicero's works, and help to make it more accessible to those who would follow him. Bruni goes on to extol Petrarch's gifts in both poetry and prose, an unusual combination that set him apart from other famous writers of his day and in classical times.
Important Quote:
"Francisco Petrarch was the first who had such grace of talent, and who recognized and restored to light the ancient elegance of style which was lost and dead, and although in him it was not perfect, nevertheless by himself he saw and opened the way to this perfection..."
"Ninety-Five Theses" -- Martin Luther (1517)
Author Bio: Martin Luther was originally a German monk but turned reformer when he realized all of the corruption around him and was awakened spiritually. Luther was also a professor of theology and originally a priest but soon his teachings challenged the pope and was excommunicated and viewed as an outlaw in Europe. He realized the natural sin of humanity and that no amount of good deeds/prayers would get him to Heaven, instead he developed the belief of salvation by faith alone.
Context: This document's full name is Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences and was his response to the selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel. Efficacy means the effectiveness. The essay was pinned on the door of of the church in Wittenberg. Indulgences are the cancelling out of a sin that has already been forgiven in hopes of reliving time in purgatory, they were normally bought in Luther's time. Selling indulgences, at the time, was being abused by the Church in order to raise more money. This is Luther's first condemnation of the Church and catalyzes the Protestant Reformation.
Summary: Martin Luther begins the document with addressing the reader/public, relaying that he hopes anyone who can read it does do so and that the word should spread the word to others who do not have access to it. In his first points he outright undermines the power of the Pope by declaring that he does not have the power/ability to "remit any guilt or penalties." Basically he is saying that the Church can not grant you pardons from purgatory. He also says that forgiveness or remittance cannot be bought from the Church but will only be granted by the will of God. He also calls out the Pope for building the Basilica of St. Peter with the money of his destitute believers and not with his own abundance of money. He ends his essay saying that Christians should enter heaven with sound belief and peace rather than after having to go through many obstacles and difficulties to secure eternity in heaven.
Key Quotation: "The true treasure of the Church is the Holy Gospel of the glory and grace of God."
"Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has a share in all the benefits of Christ and of the Church, given by God, even without letters of pardon"
Context: This document's full name is Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences and was his response to the selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel. Efficacy means the effectiveness. The essay was pinned on the door of of the church in Wittenberg. Indulgences are the cancelling out of a sin that has already been forgiven in hopes of reliving time in purgatory, they were normally bought in Luther's time. Selling indulgences, at the time, was being abused by the Church in order to raise more money. This is Luther's first condemnation of the Church and catalyzes the Protestant Reformation.
Summary: Martin Luther begins the document with addressing the reader/public, relaying that he hopes anyone who can read it does do so and that the word should spread the word to others who do not have access to it. In his first points he outright undermines the power of the Pope by declaring that he does not have the power/ability to "remit any guilt or penalties." Basically he is saying that the Church can not grant you pardons from purgatory. He also says that forgiveness or remittance cannot be bought from the Church but will only be granted by the will of God. He also calls out the Pope for building the Basilica of St. Peter with the money of his destitute believers and not with his own abundance of money. He ends his essay saying that Christians should enter heaven with sound belief and peace rather than after having to go through many obstacles and difficulties to secure eternity in heaven.
Key Quotation: "The true treasure of the Church is the Holy Gospel of the glory and grace of God."
"Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has a share in all the benefits of Christ and of the Church, given by God, even without letters of pardon"
Salvation Through Faith Alone
Author: Martin Luther was a monk who eventually came a reformer when he found God and faith and had a "spiritual awakening". He is the one that really began the Protestant Reformation upon realizing that humans are naturally sinful, and no amount of praying or practicing of faith would save you. Rather, it was through the "righteousness of God" and was his gift, which is what this document is all about.
Context: Though the document was not actually dated, I know that it was sometime during the early 16th century when Martin Luther was beginning the Protestant Reformation seeing as though it is about his enlightenment. So this document is about a time prior to him publishing his Ninety-five Theses, which will affect him in this document seeing as though he had to struggle to "break from the norm" to find salvation from that which was troubling him before.
Context: Though the document was not actually dated, I know that it was sometime during the early 16th century when Martin Luther was beginning the Protestant Reformation seeing as though it is about his enlightenment. So this document is about a time prior to him publishing his Ninety-five Theses, which will affect him in this document seeing as though he had to struggle to "break from the norm" to find salvation from that which was troubling him before.
Summary: Martin Luther began as a monk. He went against the
will of his father to join the monastery, who tried to put guilt on him, even
going as far as to say “Don’t you know that you ought to honor your father?”
Martin Luther then goes into a memory from his time as a monk, where the
prayers would basically drive him crazy. But it was God who saved him from the “torment
of prayers”. When thinking of the words “righteousness
of God,” his conscience rang loudly and he feared punishment from God. However,
after much thought, he realized that salvation is God’s mercy and thus eased
his conscience and brightened his spirit. He was no longer afraid of the “righteousness
of God” because it was that righteousness that saved, not punished. God led
Martin Luther out of his torment, showed him the way to understanding and to
cleanse his mind/ease his conscience. It was God and faith that led him to true
salvation.
Key Quotations: “…I soon came to the conclusion that if we,
as righteous men, ought to live from faith and if the righteousness of God
should contribute to the salvation of all who believe, then salvation won’t be
our merit but God’s mercy.”
“For it’s by righteousness of God that we’re justified and
saved through Christ.”
Predestination
Author Bio: John Calvin had Lutheran beliefs. He developed Calvinism and showed new forms of church government. He developed strict regulations of life and beliefs. He was a pastor during the protestant reformation.
Summary: There is no fairness in the equality of all people on certain terms. While some go to heaven other go to hell. And every person was created for one of those two ends. Predestination signifies life or death to all people. We believe that it is gods choosing to say who he will reward and whom he will put to doom. All events are willed by god and his justification comes from the manifestation. Those who refute Predestination will be put to doom and it is more misunderstood and that is why people refute it.
Context/Date: The document is dated 1536. During this time the church was under reformation by philosophers and writers who disagreed with what they did and how they had their power. Many writings went towards refuting the belief that god has will.
Key Quotation:
- "By predestination we mean the eternal decree by god, Which by determined with himself he wished to happen withe every man."
- "All are not created on equal terms, But some are preordained to eternal life, other to eternal Damnation"
Summary: There is no fairness in the equality of all people on certain terms. While some go to heaven other go to hell. And every person was created for one of those two ends. Predestination signifies life or death to all people. We believe that it is gods choosing to say who he will reward and whom he will put to doom. All events are willed by god and his justification comes from the manifestation. Those who refute Predestination will be put to doom and it is more misunderstood and that is why people refute it.
Context/Date: The document is dated 1536. During this time the church was under reformation by philosophers and writers who disagreed with what they did and how they had their power. Many writings went towards refuting the belief that god has will.
Key Quotation:
- "By predestination we mean the eternal decree by god, Which by determined with himself he wished to happen withe every man."
- "All are not created on equal terms, But some are preordained to eternal life, other to eternal Damnation"
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
"The Artist" - Reflection
How does a study of Renaissance art help us to better understand the time period?
Monday, February 4, 2013
ULT #15
Article: "The Rise of Women in Ancient Greece"
Author: Michael Scott
The article focuses on the history and roles of women in Ancient Greece during the 4th century B.C.E. He first notes that history, especially ancient history, is often times written for men. Ancient Greece was a "man's state," glorifying men, their fighting/wars, their conquests, their triumphs, etc. However, Scott turns it around and puts the focus on women in a positive light. He says that just as women have advanced within the past 50 years, historians have studied their roles throughout history more extensively. He gives details about inventions that are credited to women of the time, such as curse tablets, before mentioning Cynisca, a Greek woman who "would be worshipped as a hero in Sparta: the ultimate female sporting pin-up." Despite the fact that women in Ancient Greece "had no independent existence in the eyes of the law," they were able to bring an issue up in court as long a they were under a male guardian speaking for them, and cases were able to be brought up against them. (However, this was usually used to condemn them.) Scott then goes into further descriptions of women's roles, such as their strong influence/ability to affect society through mothering, and their eventual drifting away from being stuck to solely managing the home. I, personally, was unaware of the role of women and assumed that many of them just stayed home, taking care of the home and kids, drastically below men. However, this has given me a deeper understanding of the influence that they DID have on society, and the progress they made in their roles, which allows me to better understand their current position in Europe/the world.
Author: Michael Scott
The article focuses on the history and roles of women in Ancient Greece during the 4th century B.C.E. He first notes that history, especially ancient history, is often times written for men. Ancient Greece was a "man's state," glorifying men, their fighting/wars, their conquests, their triumphs, etc. However, Scott turns it around and puts the focus on women in a positive light. He says that just as women have advanced within the past 50 years, historians have studied their roles throughout history more extensively. He gives details about inventions that are credited to women of the time, such as curse tablets, before mentioning Cynisca, a Greek woman who "would be worshipped as a hero in Sparta: the ultimate female sporting pin-up." Despite the fact that women in Ancient Greece "had no independent existence in the eyes of the law," they were able to bring an issue up in court as long a they were under a male guardian speaking for them, and cases were able to be brought up against them. (However, this was usually used to condemn them.) Scott then goes into further descriptions of women's roles, such as their strong influence/ability to affect society through mothering, and their eventual drifting away from being stuck to solely managing the home. I, personally, was unaware of the role of women and assumed that many of them just stayed home, taking care of the home and kids, drastically below men. However, this has given me a deeper understanding of the influence that they DID have on society, and the progress they made in their roles, which allows me to better understand their current position in Europe/the world.
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