Jacob's INT 231 Blog.

 WHAT I LEARNED:  This week focused on the development of French architecture, interiors, furniture, and art during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. French design did not change from Gothic to Renaissance all at once. Gothic traditions remained strong while French designers gradually introduced ideas from Italy. This created a series of overlapping styles connected to different kings and periods of French history. The presentation divided French design into several periods. The Early Renaissance lasted approximately from 1484 to 1547 and included the reigns of Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Francois I. The Middle Renaissance continued from 1547 to 1589. The Late Renaissance developed between 1589 and 1643, followed by the French Baroque period under Louis XIV from 1643 to 1700. Later French periods included the Regency, Rococo, Neoclassical, Directoire, Empire, and Restoration styles. French invasions of Italy exposed French rulers and artists to Italian Renaissance architec...

 WHAT I LEARNED:  This week, I learned how Spanish Renaissance design developed through a combination of cultures and historical influences. Unlike Renaissance design in Italy, Spanish design was shaped by centuries of interaction among Moorish, Christian, medieval, and Italian traditions. As Spain became more powerful during the sixteenth century, its architecture and interiors began to display both its growing wealth and its complex cultural history. What interested me most was that Spanish Renaissance design was not one consistent style. Instead, it included extremely detailed decorative work as well as buildings that were intentionally plain, massive, and restrained. One of the most important influences on Spanish design was the work of the Moors. Moorish artists and craftspeople were highly skilled in geometric decoration, carved plaster, tilework, woodwork, and intricate patterns. When Moorish craftspeople continued working under Christian rule, the resulting combination...

 WHAT I LEARNED:  This week focused on the Italian Renaissance, which developed from approximately 1400 to 1600. The word Renaissance means "rebirth" and describes the renewed intrest in the architecture, art, philosophy, sciencem and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Italian designers studied classical buildings and adapted their forms to new palaces, villas, churches, interiors, and furniture.  The Renaissance first developed in Italy before influencing other parts of Europe. Society slowly shifted from a completely religious focus toward a greater interest in secular life, education, science, and human achievement. Religion remained important, but artists and architects also studied nature, anatomy, mathematics, engineering, and classical history. Humanism became one of the most important ideas of the Renaissance. Humanist believed that education and knowledge could improve individuals and society. Artist studied the human body and used observation to create more ...