repository of knowledge

In cultural anthropology, items that can aid the research into the humanities are often sought after. Currently the search is on for items that could assist in the understanding of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Artifacts from these periods help us to understand the motivations and cultural pressures affecting the peoples of these eras. Recently, two caches have been found to gain greater insight into the human communities that populated these periods.
Capsule from the Renaissance Period
A trove of items from the Renaissance period contained reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Proportional Study of a Man in the Manner of Vetruvius, studies of Michelangelo’s David, copies of the madrigal, Matona, mia cara, composed by Roland de Lassus, a lute, copies of the Four Books on Architecture by Andrea Palladio, plans of the Villa Rotonda. Also included were copies of Leon Battista Alberti’s On the Family, Luther’s Ninety Five Theses, Cervantes’ Don Quijote and Shakespeare’s Othello
Leonardo’s Vetruvian Man.
The Vetruvian man was Leonardo’s scientific view of man in an artistic light. The ratios that were established with the Vetruvian man became the standard of Renaissance artists and beyond. This also created more foundation for the classical shapes of the circle and square in the Renaissance art.
Michelangelo’s David.
David is common subject for artistry. Notable in Michelangelo’s treatment is the absence of the ratios and proportions established by Leonardo and other classical elements. But the size of the sculpture emphasizes the ideals of virtù put forward by Alberti
Lassus’ Matona, mia cara.
Lassus wrote many madrigals during his lifetime. This piece was a favorite madrigal of the time. Madrigals often were of a whimsical nature and gave new life to existent sonnets and other poetry. They became quite popular in England and became the choice music of the court. Some madrigals written during this time are still enjoyed to this day.
The lute.
The most popular personal instrument of the Renaissance Period, many pieces of music were composed specifically for the lute most notably madrigals. Its inclusion in this cache indicates the importance music played in the capsule’s creator and likely was used to perform the piece by Lassus that was also found in the store.
Palladio’s Four Books on Architecture.
Palladio’s books reflect heavily on the use of symmetry and centrality. Domestic residential architecture followed after Palladio’s ideals of architecture and represent the essence of the Renaissance contained in structural design.
The Villa Rotonda.
The Villa was a home of one the patrons of Palladio. This home was designed symmetrically and utilized a central layout. This became the model by which homes of the wealthy came to be built. This is viewed as one of the inspirations of the Neoclassical style of England and the United States.
Alberti’s On the Family.
This treatise was the most noteworthy of Aberti’s works. On the Family is recognized as one of the first sociological treatments of the family and familial structure. Alberti stressed the importance of hard work and the rewards that works brings. He scorns idleness and seeks to emphasize the cultivation of virtù. Virtù is the personal self worth of the individual. This notion of virtù inspired many during the Renaissance.
Luther’s Ninety Five Theses.
The Ninety Five Theses were a list of issues that Luther saw as being the true problems faced by those following after Catholicism. The nature of the list was very confrontational and many see the Ninety Five Theses as being one the direct causes of the Reformation. The successful publication the Ninety Five Theses to a more global community encouraged others who also did not agree with the Catholic Church to split from the church and form new churches.
Cervantes’ Don Quijote.
Among the earliest examples of fiction in the West, Don Quijote follows the story of a aging knight in Spain seeking to glorify the old ideals of chivalry. Humorous and engaging, the story brings to light the folly of being deluded by the self.
Shakespeare’s Othello.
A tragedy derived from stories form Spain, Othello tells the story of a Moor compelled by one of his lieutenants to believe that his dearest love has been unfaithful. Many of the characters in the play correspond greatly with morality plays of previous years. But these characters have been fleshed out with detail to give more depth and attachment to those watching the play. Shakespeare’s treatment of Othello, a black soldier, is notable in that most often English notions of a black were as antagonistic while Othello is good if tragically flawed.
Capsule from the Baroque Period
The other collection of items that were found include reproductions and studies of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes and Diego Velàquez’s Las Meninas. Also found were copies of Molière’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, John Donne’s Meditation 17, Bach’s Cantata No. 80, John Milton’s Pardise Lost and the King James Bible. The cache contained as well plans for an organ, the façade of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and Saint Paul’s Cathedral,
Gentileschi’s Judith slaying Holofernes.
The Slaying of Holofernes was a common allegory of the Renaissance. But in Gentileschi’s treatment, the subject took on a new perspective. In particular, Gentileschi depicted the slaying of Holofernes seven times. The possibility exists that her graphic depiction of this violent act was derived from her treatment during the trial of her rape attacker. She had been tortured to determine the veracity of her testimony in the case.
Velàquez’s Las Meninas.
At first glance, Las Meninas appears to be a group portrait. But details in the painting indicate that an attempt is being made to draw the viewer into the painting. All the subjects in the painting are facing and directing all attention towards the viewer. Ostensibly this is likely the subjects of the painter’s canvas also depicted in the painting, but this makes the viewer a participant in the painting. The perspective of the viewer and the viewed gets blurred.
Molière’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.
This is the story of a tradesman attempting upward mobility in society and denying his daughter the hand of a good but poor man. Told during the period with song and dance, the comedy appealed to many different socioeconomic cultures. This story expresses the life and times of the Baroque eloquently.
Donne’s Meditation 17.
The philosophical meanderings of Meditation 17 take the reader in new direction that previous to this writing were not explored. The ideals espoused here convey to the reader the notion of a grand plan, something greater than the individual. These passages convey strength in faith and encourage harmoniously working together.
Bach’s Cantata No. 80.
Cantata No. 80 was composed based from Luther’s hymn A Might Fortress is Our God. Often Bach’s compositions were written as accompaniment to scriptural lessons. Bach’s accomplishments as an organ composer are considered unparalleled.
Milton’s Paradise Lost.
This is an epic poem illustrating the fall of Satan and the fall of Man. Milton attempts to create images and personas of sweeping grandeur. Milton wrote Paradise Lost to stand in comparison to the epics of Homer and Virgil. The style is similar to Dante but with a firmer determination to depict free will.
The King James Bible.
The publication of the Kings James translation of the Bible had a profound effect on the English-speaking world. As translations can vary, the establishment of the King James’ translation cemented understanding for many as to the doctrines that they would follow. The availability of the Bible translated into English that also maintained the narrative invigorated spiritual hungering for generations.
The organ.
Organs during the Baroque period often were embellished with ornate adornment. An organ could be an enormous fixture in a church. Due to the size and cost, they were rarely found outside of a church. Due to their nature as fixtures in buildings, organs often affected the architecture of the church as well. Primarily, the organ had to be accommodated in the design. Owing to the organ’s primacy in use in the church, most compositions for the organ are of a religious character.
The façade of San Carlos alle Quattro Fontane.
This façade was designed by Borromini. The classical shapes of the circle and square were rejected in the design and most of the shapes incorporated are ovals and ellipses. Also integrated into the design were many columns that helped to define the Roman Baroque style.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
Following the fire in 1666 that destroyed much of London, Christopher Wren worked to rebuild London’s churches. This included Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral was designed to emulate classical elements from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Baroque stylings are emphasized by the delineations of light and dark and the massive dual clock towers and are reminiscent of the work of Borromini.
Conclusion
This exercise in the discovering of artifacts from the Renaissance and Baroque periods grants an excellent peak into the lives and times of humanity during these years. Capturing the essence of these peoples in a few of the objects they were exposed to, the possibility arises to grasp where humanity has been and where future generations are going.