Venetian Renaissance

Survey of Art 1B

Fast Facts

Although concurrent with the Italian High Renaissance, the Venetian Renaissance is considered separately. Venice was a stable, powerful and prosperous city where East meets West. It was independent from the Church in Rome, and enjoyed a more relaxed outlook with attitudes to match. Wealthy patrons eagerly supported the arts for both public and private use. Venetian artists were treated as craftsmen and didn't enjoy the high intellectual regard afforded their Italian Renaissance contemporaries. Venetian painting is filled with the soft, muted, reflected light one sees in Venice. Many of the subjects were stated as allegories.

Note the difference between Italian Renaissance art which appeals to the intellect and Venetian Renaissance art which is sensuous and appeals to the emotions.