Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael: Art of the Italian High Renaissance

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Simply put, the High Renaissance period represented a culmination. The tentative artistic explorations of the Proto-Renaissance, which caught hold and flowered during the Early Renaissance, burst into full bloom during the High Renaissance. Artists no longer pondered the art of antiquity. They now had the tools, technology, training, and confidence to go their own way, secure in the knowledge that what they were doing was as good - or better - than anything that had been done before.

Additionally, the High Renaissance represented a convergence of talent - an almost obscene wealth of talent - concentrated in the same area during the same small window of time. Astounding, truly, considering what the odds against this have to have been.

Length of the High Renaissance

The High Renaissance did not last that long in the grand scheme of things. Leonardo da Vinci began producing his important works in the 1480s, so most art historians agree that the 1480s were the start of the High Renaissance. Raphael died in 1520. One could argue that either Raphael's death or the Sack of Rome, in 1527, marked the end of the High Renaissance. No matter how it's figured, though, the High Renaissance was of no more than forty years in duration.

Location of the High Renaissance

The High Renaissance occurred a little bit in Milan (per early Leonardo), a little bit in Florence (per early Michelangelo), smaller bits scattered here and there throughout northern and central Italy and a whole lot in Rome. Rome, you see, was the place to which one fled when a Duchy was under attack, a Republic was being reorganized or one simply grew tired of wandering.

Another attractive feature Rome offered artists at this time was a series of ambitious popes. Each of these popes, in turn, outspent the previous pope on elaborate works of art. In fact, if this string of Holy Fathers agreed on any one secular policy, it was that Rome needed better art.

By the end of the 15th-century, popes were coming from the sorts of wealthy, powerful families that were accustomed to underwriting public art and employing their own private artists. If one was an artist, and the Pope requested one's presence in Rome, one headed off to Rome. (Not to mention the fact that these Holy "requests" were often delivered by armed emissaries.)

In any case, we've already seen it demonstrated that artists tend to go where arts funding is found. Between Papal requests and the money being in Rome, the Big Three Names of the High Renaissance each found themselves in Rome being creative, at certain points.

The "Big Three Names"

The so-called Big Three of the High Renaissance were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raphael.

While the Big Three deserve every bit of lasting fame they enjoy, they were not the only artistic geniuses of the Renaissance. There were many dozens, if not hundreds, of "Renaissance" artists.

During this period, the Renaissance was happening all over Europe. Venice, in particular, was busy with its own artistic geniuses. The Renaissance was a long, drawn-out process that took place over centuries.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519):

  • Trained in Florence.
  • Is best known as a painter, but did absolutely everything else as well.
  • Studied human anatomy, via dissection (completely illegal, unless one was a physician), and used the knowledge of such to glorify man.
  • Believed only in that which he could observe.
  • Had a Duke (of Milan) as his first patron.
  • Painted beautiful women, most of whom seemed to be enjoying delicious secrets.
  • Disliked Michelangelo, but was somewhat of a mentor (albeit unseen) to Raphael.
  • Worked in Rome from 1513 to 1516.
  • Was commissioned by Pope Leo X.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

  • Trained in Florence.
  • Is best known as a painter and sculptor, but worked in architecture and wrote poetry as well.
  • Studied human anatomy, via dissection (completely illegal, unless one was a physician), and used the knowledge of such to glorify God.
  • Believed deeply and devoutly in God.
  • Had a Medici (Lorenzo) as his first patron.
  • Painted women who looked a lot like men with breasts slapped on.
  • Disliked Leonardo, but was somewhat of a reluctant mentor to Raphael.
  • Worked in Rome 1496-1501, 1505, 1508-1516 and from 1534 until his death in 1564.
  • Was commissioned by Popes Julius II, Leo X, Clement VII, Paul III Farnese, Clement VIII and Pius III.

Raphael (1483-1520)

  • Trained in Umbria, but studied in Florence (where he picked up his draftsmanship and compositional skills by studying Leonardo and Michelangelo's works).
  • Is best known as a painter, but worked in architecture as well.
  • Studied human anatomy only to the extent that his figures were proportionately correct.
  • Believed in God, but didn't alienate the Humanists or Neo-Platonists.
  • Had, as his first patrons, those who actually wanted either Leonardo or Michelangelo (whose time, respectively, was being monopolized by their patrons), but settled for Raphael.
  • Painted beautiful, gentle, calm women in a courteous manner.
  • Idolized Leonardo and managed to get along with Michelangelo (no mean feat, that).
  • Worked in Rome from 1508 until his death in 1520.
  • Was commissioned by Popes Julius II and Leo X.
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Esaak, Shelley. "Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael: Art of the Italian High Renaissance." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/the-high-renaissance-in-italy-182383. Esaak, Shelley. (2023, April 5). Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael: Art of the Italian High Renaissance. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-high-renaissance-in-italy-182383 Esaak, Shelley. "Leonardo, Michelangelo & Raphael: Art of the Italian High Renaissance." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-high-renaissance-in-italy-182383 (accessed March 19, 2024).