French Renaissance Review

Becca: Her blog was short but to the point. I really enjoyed her video and her pictures.

Alex Danner: I like how she focused her blog on the Chateau de Chambered. I also liked her video that gave us a tour.

French Renaissance

The French style was based on religion and political history of eras and led by their leaders. During this time the rulers influenced most of pervasive in Renaissance France.  The Royal “taste” is what determined the design styles. French was central to the Romanesque and Gothic Style. The Gothic period gave birth to more masterpieces than any other country. Between the Gothic and the Renaissance France suffered from difficult times.  The Black Death hit France in the middle of the 14^th century. Hundred years’ war was also during this time period, which led to almost destroying Frances feudal nobility. 

The decorator had a very complex job when it came to designing a luxurious room that was consistent and harmonious.  Supervising and implementing the task required a new type of professional, which is the ornamaniste or decorator. This position required a person that could not only conceive an interior design, but also through the process of “engraving” explain the design to a client. The decorator supervised the artisans to produce the highest quality design.

Architecture in France didn’t have a need for new religious structure instead they built palaces and wineries. The exteriors became very important, but the interiors did not reflect the exterior style. The weather required steep roofs, many chimneys, and large windows. Roofs often had two slopes with dormer windows. They used mansard roofs that were created by Francois Mansart, a French Baroque architect.

Chateau Chambord was constructed by Francois I and with the help of Leonardo Da Vinci. It was a royal hunting lodge in the Lorie Valley. It has 444 rooms, 84 staircases, 365 chimneys; the estate is 14,300 acres of forest, lakes and grasslands enclosed by 22 mile-long wall.it is considered the largest and most majestic of the Chateaus. It was a meeting place for Francois I and Leonardo Da Vinci.

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Extra Credit: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HziwBRrFqY4

Spanish Period

During the 16^th century the Spanish period evolved. It was considered as the most brilliant era in the Spanish history. Columbus is the founder of the new world and was excited to see what opportunities he had in the new land. The Moorish, Early Christian, Medieval, and the Italian Renaissance influenced the Spanish period.  

The interiors during this time were very elaborate; they used colored tiles, pine paneled ceilings which where then painted and carved, and they used plaster to make decorative borders around doors and windows. They used superb iron grilles for windows, opening and wrought iron handrails.  During this time they used tile pictures, which would resemble wall tapestries. The upper floors where either tile, stone, brick or wood. The floor design resembled a basket weave and used gentle colors. They would also hang tooled Córdoba leather that was brilliantly painted and gilded. Spain was known as the leading center in fine leatherwork. They cute pile carpets, rugs, and mats all by hand.

Furniture was also a big deal during this time; it provided simplicity and boldness. Basic carvings, rectangular shapes, and heavy proportions where greatly preferred for the furniture. Panels were used repetitively to create a pattern.  The most commonly used material was walnut wood- such as mahogany. And silver was used for ornamentation. They had limited numbers of different pieces like chairs, stools, benches, tables, chests, beds, varguenos and cupboards. 

One of the popular furniture pieces was the Sillon De Frailero known as the monk’s chair.   It was a walnut armchair with a simple rectangular form. It had a leather seat and back with broad front stretcher and they used decorative nail heads. It was prototyped for the mission chair.  

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Extra Credit: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX9mfVpGC9c

Italian Renaissance Review

Alex: Her blog was brief but it was to the point. I like how she explained the dome of the Florance cathedral.

Becca: In her blog she wrote about the Stupa and told us where it was located. He extra credit video was a good and full of information.

Italian Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance period was from 1400-1600 it was an artistic period, which had many influences, but for the most it was as it name implies, a historic revival. Renaissance literally means rebirth, when artists, architectures, and artisans looked to ancient Greece and Rome. The Roman Church became popular which demonstrated corruption and misconduct.

The Italian Renaissance palace was one of the finest achievements of Italian Renaissance. It transformed from Gothic to Early Renaissance. One of the popular structures was the Palazzo Davanzanti. The interiors contained frescos, tapestries and fireplaces which all centered around an interior courtyard. Also, its tall exterior hints of the façade developments to come. Its façade was regularized and topped off with an open gallery on the roof. The ground floor is rusticated and house shops.

During this time a major architectural influence was Leonardo Da Vinci. He was a painter sculpture, architecture, musician, scientist mathematician, engineer, inventor, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. Leonardo was the most diversely gifted person of all time.

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Extra Credit: 

http://www.history.com/topics/italian-renaissance