Bright Colors & The Italian Renaissance

Now, before I admit this, I am warning you. Please, do not hurt me. Okay.

I have a confession to make. I have a love hate relationship with Italian Renaissance Art. I think it is highly overrated for its imagery, but the concepts that were born from it are wonderful. It was a time when we as humans began to associate ourselves with God, and yet there was the Papacy and the Reformation to remind us of what dirty little humans were were. Besides that. What is is about the damn Renaissance that I don't like? Well one thing. (Really? Only one? Yes, I tell you...only the one)

All those damn bright colors.


(What? But Casandra, we thought you liked bright colors?)

Well yes, technically I do. But I too have my limits. I would desire to keep my retinas in working order for as long as I can, and if I had to work in a museum and see an image like dear Perugino's above everyday...ouch.

One day, in all my studies, if I only took one thing away from the art of the Renaissance, I would want it to be the answer to why. Why did they insist of visually overstimulating their viewers with such bright colors that could cause vomiting, seizures, and random fits of violence?

(What did you like from the Renaissance? You could not possibly think the great da Vinci was *gasp* "overrated?")

Actually, yes I could...and yes, I do. The man could barely finish what he started. At best, he was a great artist. Wonderful talent, but he was definitely not the only weeping whining persecuted gay male artist during his time. So there.

Personally, I liked the Netherlandish art that coinsided with the Italian Renaissance. I also liked Northern Italian Renaissance art except for my bright-color obsessed friend, Perugino. Of the two locations, my favorites would have to be Albrecht Durer and Angrea Mantegna.


Albrecht Durer, "Beast of Revelation"


Andrea Mantegna, "Parnassus"

So there you have it. My art history rant for the day. If you ever have to ask me what I think of grossly bright colors, I'd say: 'Thank God the Mannerist movement did not last long," and I'd also shout with glee: 'Bring on the Baroque Baby!!'

(You don't like bright colors, but you do like disgusting amounts of gold and over exaggeration of emotions?)

You bet I do.