The Italian Renaissance was known for “rediscovering”
ancient Roman and Greek arts. The Renaissance emulated the ancient paintings,
sculptures, architecture, gardens, and many other forms. The artists of this
era were enthralled with the idea of beauty as it was in the old times, as well
as expression of self and God. It was impossible to walk the streets of Italian
cities without seeing ancient influences and structures, and so the material to
study was present (http://italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-7/essays/rise-fall-and-resurrection-of-ancient-rome/).
Similarities between ancient Roman art and architecture can be seen throughout
Renaissance gardens across Italy. Their sculptures and water features imitate the
Romans’ to a great degree. As in the ancient times, sculpture and architecture
were combined with garden ornamentation to create a more peaceful, calming and
meditative effect for those who visited the garden. The garden features of the
two times are strikingly similar.
(Roman
Columns http://greenglobaltravel.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9484.jpg)
(Renaissance Columns http://www.yairkarelic.com/Albums/Tivoli_villa_deste/slides/IMG_3947.jpg)
(Roman Garden Sculpture https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3351/3495569801_02922795de_z.jpg)
(Renaissance Garden Sculpture http://rengarden.com/wp-content/gallery/statuary-sculpture/Four-Seasons-Statues.jpg)
Here, you can see the
similarities between the two different eras, even if they have been separated
by the immensely long medieval times. There are structures set up in each
garden to create a more enriching leisure experience, and to allow a greater
time of Otium for both the Roman and the Renaissance visitors. The columnar form
(in the example above, Ionic) has been taken directly from the Roman times and
copied to the Renaissance, with a bit of artistic and personal flair. Their sculpture
style has even been taken from the Greeks and Romans, which creates a similar
appearance as far as ornamentation is concerned.
Another thought process coming out of the Renaissance was the idea
of Humanism. While there were still very many connections with God, the
Humanists were exploring the natural world in a way to get closer to God. This
exploration led to experimentation in all art forms, especially garden art
because it was so closely tied to nature. The Humanist movement in art focused
on humans living in this life, not the next. They wondered why they were not
able to have all that is beautiful now, instead of only in the afterlife. So
they started creating and building, making life grander. For example, the Villa
D’Este was the home of a man craving the papacy. While unable to achieve it, he
did have immense wealth, and wanted to demonstrate it. He created an awe
inspiring garden to show that wealth, and create an environment for him and
guests to enjoy in this lifetime, with all of the embellishments. Life was
about creating beauty and enjoying that beauty. This was how the Romans enjoyed
life, and that is how the citizens of the Renaissance wanted to enjoy life as
well.
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