Florence: 1300-1500

16 important questions on Florence: 1300-1500

What did Ghiberti base his Sacrifice of Isaac on?

On Hercules.

Why did Ghiberti win the competition for the design of the door?

Because it was more dynamic, but also (mainly) because it could be cast in one piece of bronze and therefore was cheaper.

For which city did Donatello work?

Siena.
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Which works of art did Ghiberti and Donatello made as part of their rivalry?

Ghiberti created St. John the Baptist, Donatello made St. Marc.

Who made the different parts of the St. Maria del Fiore?

  • Brunelleschi designed the cupola.
  • Ghiberti designed the lantern.
  • Andrea del Verrocchio added the golden ball on top.

What allowed the St. Maria del Fiore to become Florence's most impressive church?

The mixture of Gothic and Roman art.

Why was Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel very important?

Because it had a circular cupola over a square floorplan.

In what way was Masaccio inspired by Brunelleschi and what did he figure out himself?

He added Brunelleschi's portals in his paintings, as well as special perspectives. He personally managed to calculate the use of space in paintings.

How did the arts of Florence influence Rimini?

The St. Francesco by Leon Battista Alberti got a new exterior modelled after Florentine and ancient Roman buildings.

How did the arts of Florence influence Mantua?

The Sant'Andrea was redesigned by Leon Battista Alberti at the request of Gonzaga. It was modelled after the Pantheon.

How did the arts of Florence indirectly influence Venice?

Because of the statue of Gattamelata in Padua, Bartolomeo Colleoni requested an equestrian statue to be built by Andrea del Verrocchio.

How did the arts of Florence influence Milan?

Piero della Francesco based his Madonna with Child and Saints on Masaccio's Holy Trinity.

What was thought of spending large amounts of money on art and architecture in the 15th and 16th century?

It was not wasteful. On the contrary, it was considered a part of magnificentia, ‘a fitting expenditure involving largeness of scale’, and wealth was considered one of the prerequisites for virtue. It had to be appropriate, though.

How did the notion of magnificence lead to artistic rivalry?

Because rulers always tried to outdo each other through magnificentia, artists were prompted to ever greater achievements. After all, they had to outdo antiquity, other artists, other rulers ánd other cities.

Was the patron or the artist more important when it comes to magnificentia?

The patron, because art was his initiative and money. Therefore, art works prominently displayed coats of arms and names of patrons. This added to the patron's magnificence. The artwork was actually considered his.

Which functions did portraits serve?

  • To commemorate someone who was dead or far away, in which case they had to be good likenesses, if not somewhat idealized.
  • State portraits mainly had to express status and did not have to look like the subject at all.

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