Renaissance

During the early Renaissance, paintings represented deposits of social relationship and artists were substantially supported by means of the wealthy merchants and rulers. These artists had been famous during their times. With the fame, many artists have been convinced that they deserved exceptional privileges and consideration and in most cases, they have been often granted. During this period, the artists were confined to their preference of subject matter. The readymade art work were limited as the artist would do the portray as the client’s specification in the contract. The agreement described the three most important themes; what is to be painted, when and how the customer will pay, and compelling the painter to use good quality shade and materials.
In most cases, the wealthy patrons commissioned these works of art. These arts were somehow linked to the Catholic Church that mostly received them as donations by the rich. Money played a crucial role in the history and art as these artists. The religious murals and altarpieces were the most produced during the early Renaissance as the artists were often restricted to the Bible when selecting their subject matter. However, the artists felt great freedom to create new techniques and incorporate new materials, as seen in the revolutionary work of Ghiberti.According to Baxandall, the work of art changed in values during the early Renaissance. Unlike the beginning of Renaissance where the patrons were only impressed by the material display of expensive materials like gold or expensive pigments, they also take into account the skill of the artist. Undoubtedly, the artistic skill was always valued as demonstrated in the genius character of creative work linked to courts and the status of artists. The distinguished artist would be selected to work on exclusive, high-status projects like great churches.The template for a master’s biography such as Michelangelo or Leonardo represents a paradigm of self-doubt and struggle, an obsessive quest for perfection the leads to sacrifice, and superhuman achievements. Michelangelo biography describes experimentation, innovation, idealism as well as the rejection of the traditional and aesthetic boundaries. Michelangelo represented a colossal personality, troubled but committed to perfection, glory, and grace. Similarly, Leonardo described an anti-hero with a dark underbelly. As he was portrayed as a precocious, revolutionary, end very talented in painting, he was a bisexual opium addict. Florence was known for chaos and culture celebrations and demanded its citizens to be awake. Leonardo depicted this quality of being awake by portraying the superhuman observation powers. The lives of Michelangelo or Leonardo, as “masters,” are metaphorical to Florentine civic identity: monumental, modern, innovative and bold. As depicted in Da Vinci’s Demons and The Agony and The Ecstasy, both Michelangelo and Leonardo illustrated the possession of the modern spirit of self-criticality and genius that were not attained easily. These two renowned artists tower above other mortals as the origin of their gifts make them unique among fellow men. Despite being praised and sought for, Michelangelo and Leonardo lived a solitary and often misunderstood life.Whitney Houston is an example of a contemporary celebrity that matches the biographical template for the “great artist.” Whitney was an incredibly talented singer, actress, model, and producer admired by millions all over the world for her incredible talent. Whitney was one of the best-selling music artists of all times. Despite all these successes, Whitney was living a lonely life that saw her struggle with a crack and cocaine addiction. The addiction took her life in her hotel bathtub in 2012.