Italian Renaissance
Explore some of these websites from the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/arlo/hd_arlo.htm (Links to an external site.)
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cour/hd_cour.htm (Links to an external site.)
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dome/hd_dome.htm (Links to an external site.)
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nupt/hd_nupt.htm (Links to an external site.)
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/prof/hd_prof.htm (Links to an external site.)
1. Choose two objects from within these pages (except cassoni and paintings, unless it is a painted plate or other decorative object) and discuss what they are, decoration, symbolism, purpose, etc. Include a color thumbnail image of each of your choices.
2. Read through at least one or two of the websites listed above. What more did you learn about life in Renaissance Italy? Your writing should be at least 300 words for this question.
Sample Answer
Italian Renaissance
Betrothal Ring
The Jewish betrothal ring was significantly large as well as ornamented. These rings were created to be used in the synagogues during the wedding ceremonies. From the Italian museums, there is enough amount of evidence that shows that these rings were also used in the renaissance Italian wedding rituals. The purpose of the ring was used to indicate the union between the bride and the bridegroom (Krohn, n.d.).The groom used to place the ring on the bride’s finger. However, the ring had to be left in the temple after the wedding ritual as a prize offered to the temple community.
Figure 1.1 shows the Jewish betrothal ring, which was used in the Italian wedding ceremonies.
Girdle
The expensive and extravagant girdles were used to clinch the clothes to the waist to prevent their fall. The girdle was part of the betrothal prizes, gifts, and dowries offered by the groom to the bride’s family. Among the stories of Boccaccio’s Decameron between 1349 and 1352 described rings and girdles as presents and gifts to the newly married bride. Some of the girdles could be worn under the breasts and around the waist to give a curving figure to the bride (Bayer, n.d.). The enamel details of the belt reflected the light to produce an eye-catching magnificence. The girdle was made using the base taille technique, which allowed silver to shine through the enamels.
Figure 1.2 illustrates a rare girdle made of transparent enamel.
From the reading in the provided sources, I have learned that love and the wedding rituals were an essential aspect of the society in renaissance Italy. The evidence can be found in how the Italians devoted their time to make pieces of art and decoration, which were used to described and honor the marriage ceremonies (Wolk-Simon, n.d.). Among the ruling families, the wedding ceremonies were so beautiful and unimaginable. Many artists of the time graced these ceremonies and different types of gifts ranging from silver and gold could be given to the bride’s family.
References
- Andrea Bayer. (n.d.). Art and Love in the Italian Renaissance | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/arlo/hd_arlo.htm
- Deborah L. Krohn. (n.d.). Courtship and Betrothal in the Italian Renaissance | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cour/hd_cour.htm
- Linda Wolk-Simon. (n.d.). Profane Love and Erotic Art in the Italian Renaissance | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/prof/hd_prof.htm
