Western Civilization

environment. Many artists had mastered the new tech-

niques for a scientific observation of the world around

them and were now ready to move into individualistic

forms of creative expression. This final stage of Renais-

sance art, which flourished between 1480 and 1520, is

called the High Renaissance. The shift to the High

Renaissance was marked by the increasing importance

of Rome as a new cultural center.

The High Renaissance was dominated by the work

of three artistic giants: Leonardo da Vinci (1452–

1519), Raphael (1483–1520), and Michelangelo (1475–

1564). Leonardo represents a transitional figure in the

Leonardo da Vinci,The Last Supper.Leonardo da Vinci was the impetus behind the High

Renaissance concern for the idealization of nature, moving from a realistic portrayal of the human

figure to an idealized form. Evident in Leonardo’sLast Supperis his effort to depict a person’s

character and inner nature by the use of gesture and movement. Unfortunately, Leonardo used an

experimental technique in this fresco, which soon led to its physical deterioration.

Brunelleschi, Interior of San Lorenzo.

Cosimo de’ Medici contributed massive

amounts of money to the rebuilding of

the Church of San Lorenzo. As seen in

this view of the nave and choir of the

church, Brunelleschi’s architectural

designs were based on the basilica plan

borrowed by early Christians from pagan

Rome. San Lorenzo’s simplicity, evident in

its rows of slender Corinthian columns,

created a human-centered space.

Scala/Art Resource, NY

S. Maria delle Grazie, Milan//Scala/Ministero per i Beni e le Attivit

a culturali/Art Resource, NY

288 Chapter 12 Recovery and Rebirth: The Age of the Renaissance

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