Intellectual and Artistic tendencies in 14th century Europe:

Europe can be considered as a forerunner when it came to matters of importance in areas such as politics and economics. It has always stayed ahead of the pack. However, it is not only in matters economic and political where Europe has set the precedence, rather in architecture and the arts as well. Still, Europe has undergone through certain periods in history where changes has occurred. The changes have resulted from influences within and without Europe. This has meant that Europe has had to embrace new ideas at one point or another. Consequently, not only politics and economics has changed but also art and even architectural methods.

The 14th Century in Europe is often defied as the Renaissance period. This was a time characterized by change; a revival of classical art, architecture and even literature. It was the time when the archaic transformed to modern. Europe moved from medieval and adopted modernity. This Renaissance period is considered to have started in the late 13th and spread throughout Europe up to the 17th century. Italy is the country credited with the Renaissance period. The period is attributed with changes not only in the intellectual field but also in the arts; architecture and music. Thus, the word renaissance is taken to mean a rebirth. (Murray & Murray, 1963)

The most notable thing about the renaissance period has to be art and architecture. For the most part, the architectural style during the renaissance period was essentially reflective of the classical culture. This classical culture had its origins in the Florence region of Italy and spread throughout Europe and replaced the existing gothic architectural style. One of the most notable things about this period is that the ancient Roman architectural forms were revived. These were the use such constructions as the column, the arch that was round in shape, the tunnel vault and the dome. These were structures hitherto only associated with Rome. Consequently, the basic design aspect was the known as the order. This classical form of architecture had its basis and inspiration from the ruins of ancient buildings. (“Western art history”)

In the 14th century, Europe was undergoing considerable changes. Both natural and institutional disasters were responsible for these changes. While Europe had been experiencing peace, considerable growth both economically and socially resulting in prosperous economies with high populations in the 13th century, the 14th century could be termed as the direct opposite. Europe started experiencing food shortages, epidemics, social strife and even conflict. This had important ramifications on art. For instance, the Black Death had resulted in the death of numerous people in Europe and especially in the Florence region of Italy. Consequently, most of the art and the literature in the 14th century consisted of images and scenes of death; death was portrayed by way of art and literature. The legend of the Three living and the Three dead is demonstrative of this. In most cases, the illustrations as in the legend, consisted of skeletons and coffins depictive of what the result of the Black Death had been. Accordingly, the Triumph of Death, by Campo Santo is regarded to be one of the best works in the era as far as the depiction of death was concerned. (Hommel, 2007) The argument is that with the experience of the Black Death, artists became more aware of their own lives here on earth as opposed to life after death. Again, there was a marked shift from spirituality as writers and artists became openly obsessed with death. Art was used to express emotion. (Collingwood, 1958)

Again, the renaissance period in Europe was characterized by institutional changes especially, political and religious. Different governments were at the time facing both external and internal threats. Small states were conquered by the large states. Nonetheless, sometimes the small states still challenged the authority of the large states. The consequence of this was that small cities fell while the bigger ones reigned supreme. This had important implications on art. For instance, it was not uncommon for the kings and other leaders to ask painters to make portraits of them. Sometimes, the kings would ask the artists to include the scenes of their accomplishments. This was in the form of artistic representations of the battle fields in which they defeated their enemies. However, the most remarkable institutional disaster was the fall of the catholic church. As the church fell it also lost its powers and prestige. The organized church had failed to address the disillusionment that people in Europe had undergone through as a result of the plague. As a result, the fall of the church was of great significance in 14th century Europe. The Roman catholic church had the final say on all matters that affected countries in Europe. The fall of the church resulted in the rise humanism probably as an answer to the disenchantment that the people had suffered. To the humanists, man was capable of individual thought that was separate from that of the church. Accordingly, such people as the poet, Petrarch are identified with humanism (Kleiner, Gardner & Mamiya, 2005)

The 14th century was period of change for Europe. It was the period when Europe shifted from the medieval and embraced the modern. The shift was experienced in most aspects of life to art and even literature. Nonetheless, certain natural and institutional disasters are said to have had an impact on the art of that period in time. For instance, it was in the 14th century that Europe experienced the Black death and many people died as a result. The consequence of this on artist that writers and artists became obsessed with death. Again, with the fall of the church institution, humanism became widespread and the people were free to express themselves. The consequence of this is that writing and art became more prevalent.

References.

Collingwood, R. (1958). The principles of Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hommel, W. (2007). The Black Death and Medieval Art: Images of macabre in illuminated manuscripts. Suite101.com. Retrieved December 8, 2008, from http://medieval-art.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_black_death_and_medieval_art

Kleiner, Fred, Gardner, Helen and Mamiya, Christin. (2005). Gardner’s Art through ages: The western perspective. New York: Wadsworth Publishing.

Murray, P & Murray, L. (1963). The Art of the Renaissance. New York: Praeger.

Nationmaster.com. (2005). Western art history. Retrieved December 8, 2008,   http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Western-art-history