Cinquecento (1530-1600) is spoken of as the next period in the evolution of art that began with the Quattrocento. It is in this phase where humanistic anthropocentrism develops and represents one of the manifestations of the Modern Age. In addition, among its characteristics is the imitation of nature from which classical antiquity was inspired. In this post we will talk about Cinquecento Rome, painting, sculpture and architecture.
Chronologically, it is said the Cinquecento spanned the entire 16th century in Italy, although in relation to art it comprised the first quarter of that century. It is also called as “High Renaissance” or “Classical Renaissance”. Three great artists emerged during this time: Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. In addition, it is when the style reaches its maturity.
After this period, Mannerism made its way, a style characterized by using images with exaggerated appearances: strange postures, unreal treatment of space; frequent use of dramatic effects and particular choice of color. At this time the balance and clarity of the Renaissance did not exist and instead dramatic and complex compositions were chosen, as well as effects with greater emotional content.
When did Cinquecento Rome begin?
The Renaissance has to do with cultural and artistic renewal emerged in Italy in the fifteenth century. From there it spread throughout Europe. This period includes several moments:
- “Quattrocento” or “First Renaissance” (15th century): In this period the main interest was realism and the art represented was created only in Italy. Its origin occurred in Florence, led by the Medici (known merchants and bankers) since 1434 and who were the ones who attracted painters, sculptors and architects to that city.
- “Cinquecento” or “Second Renaissance” (16th century): This was the time when the Renaissance reached its peak. The city of Rome was the artistic center in Italy and encompassed the Papacies of Julius II, Leo X and Sixtus V, whose intentions were to make it a political and spiritual power. This is how the city displaced Florence, which was where the “Quattrocento” was based. But it was not only in Rome, Venice also acquired a special relevance in terms of art.
Some characteristics that are identified in the Cinquecento era are:
- The artists of that time were the main protagonists of the means of expression that emerged during the Quattrocento.
- There was an artistic balance in terms of form and content.
- There was a harmony between the Christian religion and the pagan.
Painting in Cinquecento Rome
The artistic center was concentrated in Rome, where artists focused on finding beauty. The anecdotal became irrelevant, to focus rather on some figures. Furthermore, the compositions were arranged geometrically. Beauty was oriented in the naked human body. It is the time of the female nudes. It was about capturing movements and light in the painting.
The High Renaissance paintings They look for simplification, they put aside the detail that emerged in the Quattrocento, the themes are unified in large proportions and the secondary scenes cease to exist. The artists who stood out at this time were: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael de Sanzio and Antonio Allegri il Correggio.
At the end of the 16th century, eclecticism began to emerge (mannerism aside) which is when various trends merge. This new trend makes beauty replace beauty itself without the psychological content being a concern.
Sculpture in Cinquecento Rome
The Cinquecento sculpture it tended toward idealization, concern for the human body and the grandiose. The sculptural works were inclined to the realistic and naturalistic. In addition, the intention was to reflect a beauty that would delight the viewer. The great protagonist of sculpture was the human body, the sculptors were interested in anatomy, the proportions of the different parts of the body and the human musculature.
The The human body was considered the ultimate expression of beauty., which made possible the emergence of sculptural art. Other themes were represented, such as: the mythological, the allegorical and the pagan. The themes of Christian religion were still present but treated in a different way. Most of the artists were concentrated in Florence and the great artist who dominated the Renaissance sculptures of the 16th century was Michelangelo Buonarroti. Although he was followed by other sculptors such as Benvenuto Cellini and Juan Bologna.
Among the materials used in his sculptures are marble, terracotta, stone and cast metals (for example, bronze). In addition, the genres where the sculptures were concentrated were: the bust, the round bulk, the medallions or tondos and the relief.
Architecture in Cinquecento Rome
The Cinquecento architecture differs from the Quattrocento because the constructive lines that they presented were monumental and there was a mass effect. At this time rich decorations were becoming a thing of the past. The artistic center would be Rome, where the Popes were the great protagonists. The artists who stood out in this period were: Michelangelo, Bramante, Vignola and Palladio.
There was a admiration for roman architecture and it was the work of vitruvius who gave him impetus through his Treatise on “On Architecture”. What Vitruvius was looking for was the perfect proportion of the parts of a building. He also relied on other principles such as solidity, beauty, and utility. To design a building he resorted to mathematical and geometric calculations supported by harmony, proportion, balance and good taste.
The construction of palaces was promoted through civil architecture. And the usual model was one in which the structure had a patio surrounded by different rooms. In addition, the facades were made up of three rectangular bodies that gave way to a number of windows, divided with projecting cornices that gave horizontality. Among the architectural elements used were: the semicircular arch, the barrel vaults, groins and domes. The wall was the support par excellence.
If you like history, be sure to read the following post where we talk in depth about the Renaissance: