Florence, Italy
Florence Italy is where the renaissance began. This marked the rebirth of the classical influence in architecture. Leading architects and designers from Italy, France and Holland helped the Renaissance spread throughout Europe by creating pattern books with hand drawn pattern and descriptions.
Architecture
The Palazzo Rucellai is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. A Renaissance Palace was a box like fortress with large gates that opened into a large roofless courtyard or atrium in which the house surrounds. The houses were three stories high so the exterior was divided into thirds. The first floor was very rustic with a chiseled ashlar stone, mortared. The second is more of a smooth ashlar mortared. The third top floor is an extremely smooth ashlar that is dry stacked and appears seamless. The pilasters (square columns) on each layer progressed from Doric on the Ground to Ionic in the middle and Corinthian on the top floor. The top floor was covered by a very large overhanging cornice. A famous architect during this time was Andrea Palladio. He did a few publis buildings but for the most part he was known for his Villas he created for wealthy farmers. One of his most well known villas was the Villa Rotonda built in 1567.
Decorative Styles During the Renaissance art was very fashionable. This is the time when many famous artists prevailed. Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and Michelangelo are just a few artists who are still known today for what they did during the Renaissance. Many paintings were done in homes and on ceilings of chapels. Many hand carved details adorned the interior of buildings and homes as well. The traditional Greek and roman orders were used as well along with a twist of Renaissance flair. Large scale florals, the artichoke, and the pomegranate were used as Renaissance motifs and patterns.
Renaissance Furniture
Renaissance colors
The Renaissance was the time of a rebirth for art and architecture. Artist were no longer tied to symbolic colors and found new bright colors to use. Color became pleasing to artist and patrons alike. Rich and vibrant reds, blues, gold’s and green’s were what made up most of the paintings and interiors.
Renaissance colors
The Renaissance was the time of a rebirth for art and architecture. Artist were no longer tied to symbolic colors and found new bright colors to use. Color became pleasing to artist and patrons alike. Rich and vibrant reds, blues, gold’s and green’s were what made up most of the paintings and interiors.
The most popular chair of the Renaissance had to be the either the Savonarola chair or the Dante chair. These a re x framed chairs patterned after the Roman folding chair. Both are used in modern design today.
Another popular piece of furniture was the Credenza. This piece too is still used in modern day design.