Italian Renaissance

The word Renaissance means "rebirth" beginning in Florence Italy. The classical forms refined and adapted for new uses and local quarries offered an endless supply of beautiful marble. The furnish interiors during this time were of Gothic and Romanesque. There was a huge shift from a religious to a secular emphasis. The Roman Catholic church had become very powerful involving corruption and misconduct. There was a movement towards humanism and everyone in Italy, rich or poor, was interested in the arts. Residential design becomes popular as well as comfort convenience and beauty rather than strength safety and protection. There was also emphasis on horizontal and symmetry but copied designs from excavations. Ancient Roman style and details added to buildings medieval in concept. There was also an early emphasis on the interior architecture not the furniture. Lastly, the Italian Renaissance included elaborate fireplaces, decorative moldings, doors, and ceilings.

One of the finest achievements of the Italian Renaissance was the Italian Renaissance palace(palazzo). This building had three divisions with compound windows and a heavy project cornice. The central courtyard was like the roman domus, there was no hallways, and there were people living on the second and third floors. The walls were pierced with niches and the living space was similar to the r






oman "insula." The ground floor had repair shops, summer apartments, kitchens, bathrooms, and storage. There was also a grand staircase to the piano mobile which was on the second floor of the main living area.
































Two other magnificent buildings during the Italian Renaissance were the palazzo farnese and the palazzo davanzati. The interiors of the palazzo davanzati consisted of frescos, tapestries, and fireplaces all centered around the interior courtyard. The palazzo farnese was completed by Michelangelo and it look like a massive rectangular block that included a courtyard, ground floor, second story, and third story.



Another amazing building during this time was the Villa Rotonda designed by Andrea Palladio. Each side has a classical temple front including: stairs, six columns, entablature and pediment. The rooms were arranged symmetrically around the dome.




Leonardo Da Vinci was the most diversely gifted person of all time. His most well known pieces of art were the last supper and the Mona lisa.







This chair was called the sgabello(stool with a back). It had a small octagonal or rectangular seat supported but here legs. It was primarily for dining and all purpose style.



Another chair during this time was known as the Dante chair. It had an x in the front and in the back was separated by floor stretchers and arms. The back and seat are made of leather with a loose fringed and tasseled cushion.




Cassapanca




Here are some current applications of interiors




Below is a video on the famous Leonardo Da Vinci:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwOlIGGDVjE