The (Tormented) Genius of Isaac Newton and the (following) Age of Reason

Isaac Newton--the formulator of the great Universal Theory of Gravitation--became in the next century a hero of the Enlightenment...a paragon of reason and rationalism. These brief video clips discuss instead that Newton's infatuation with alchemy and heretical sects make him a much more complex (and human) person.

Reformation Documentaries

The first of these clips focus on the role of Martin Luther and the reaction to his "Theses." The last centers on other forms of Protestant religious formulations.

Renaissance Art Clips

Here are a couple of short documentary clips that flesh out the material from lecture and the textbook.

Michelangelo the Sculptor

It should very apparent from lecture that Michelangelo is my favorite Renaissance artist (what am I saying, he's my favorite artist of them all!). His family's traditions in stonework led him to the art of sculpting. One of his earliest free-standing works was the Bacchus (two images immediately above at left)--which originally stood in Rome, but now resides in Florence. His "Pieta" (above left), like the "Bacchus," are from the artist's early period. Note the remarkable detail in the folds of the fabric and the face of the Virgin Mary. The statue is part of the collections of the Vatican. The "David" (two images above right) has often been described as the finest piece of free-standing sculpture in the world. The original is now indoors, while a copy has occupied the original site in the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence since the early 20th Century. This is the statue upon which Michelangelo is working in the da Vinci clip below. The brief clip has cheesy music, but the point of the role of "sel-confidence" in the Italian Renaissance is well-made.

Michelangelo the Painter

Pope Julius II had originally hired Michelangelo to design and sculpt his papal tomb for St. Peter's. While in the middle of the project, the pope pulled the artist away to "decorate" the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel--the pope's smaller chapel inside the Vatican. The result was one of the greatest frescoes in history. The work is massive--when in the chapel you feel like you are personally INSIDE a work of art. It is truly an inspiring experience. The work itself is a very Renaissance blend of religious images (mostly Old Testament figures and scenes) and classical figures like the Roman sybil at top left. Thirty years after finishing the ceiling, the artists was once again commissioned for a work in the chapel. This time he created the huge "Last Judgment" (above center and top right) that covers the entire wall behind the altar.

Rafael

Raphael (a self portrait is at left) was a young rival (though admirer of) both Leonardo and Michelangelo. The latter distrusted Raphael and had the Sistine Chapel locked at night hoping to prevent the younger artist's efforts at "copying." Perhaps Raphael's most famous painting, "The School of Athens" (above left) reveals the Renaissance's use of perspective and light. It also shows the relationship between Raphael and his older contemporary and competitor, Michelangelo. Apparently the dark, brooding figure in the foreground of the painting is the sour (and dour) Michelangelo himself (The two artists were at work in the Vatican at the same time--Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael in the pope's library). Raphael also playfully included himself (in the dark beret) on the far right of the work.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo (at left) was a key figure in the Renaissance. In lecture we discussed his use of perspective, blending and naturalism in such works as (from left to right)"The Last Supper," "Mona Lisa," and sketchbook. The BBC documentary clip points out the central importance of patronage in the Italian Renaissance. The clip below is about the artist's curiosity and interest in "naturalism." And again, the central role of patronage. . . . And finally, the rivalry of the Reanaissance artists we referenced in lecture . . . .