Today, Renaissance in the 15th century takes on a new meaning for me. It is President's day long weekend and have stayed in to read "The Story of Painting" by H.W Janson and Dora Jane Janson.
While many in the Northern Europe felt hopeless towards the end of the Middle Ages, "the Italians welcomed the new era as a 'rebirth'". It is the "rebirth of the powers of the human mind that had created the glories of Greece and Rome". Also mentioned to be the "rebirth of antiquity". Two master pieces during the 15th century described that social phenomenon I never really appreciated until today.
In admiring Sandro Bortecelli's Birth of Venus again from a 6" by 8" book, it meant more to me today than when I saw the original painting in Uffizi back in 2007. Venus is born of the sea, "like a shimmering pearl, stands for the rebirth of mankind, which was the great hope of the Renaissance. Venus looked frail and very romantic, her long hair blown by the wind from the gods on her right. She covers herself gently with her poised hands. The image of Venus from Bortecelli brings out the elusive, romantic mood and air of class of the people who were hopeful of the rebirth in their culture, the arts and the evolution of expression. Like Venus shining beauty in the middle of the painting, the positive movement in the art world took center stage in Italy and all of Europe. Flowers are shown horizontally in the middle of the painting, carried by the wind, floating towards Venus. Does it suggest a hint of transcience, that there could be a chance this beauty may not be permanent?
The second masterpiece is introduced to me for the first time today. Piero di Cosimo's The Discovery of Honey (about 1498) . It shows how simple men can be happy as they discovered honey, liken to the "first step towards civilisation", man in the early Renaissance era finds themselves again. The contrasting sceneries on each end of the painting represented positive, hopeful change, that man can progress from a barren land to some place civilised.
Art teaches mankind countless history lessons. When admired at different times, it brings about distinct meanings. Sometimes, it just looks beautiful and we all go "Wow, how did he do it"? Today, these two pieces mean a rebirth for me, in a literal sense. Only when one has lived and breathed for about half a lifetime that rebirth means everything. I am happy to have found what I enjoy doing most these days - reading and writing about art, reflecting lessons from the past and applying them to present day. Making art to make a difference is the first faint view of my vision. Writing this blog is my first step towards the enrichment of my life, and it is sweet like honey.
