Walter Pater’s, The Renaissance – Studies in Art & Poetry: A New Modernized Version

The Renaissance was a significant movement in European cultural history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. It did not just revive but in many respects surpassed the ideas and achievements of classical antiquity.

Renaissance thinking drew on Greco-Roman philosophy, including the famous humanist dictum of Protagoras that “Man is the measure of all things”. This thinking permeated multiple fields, from art and architecture, through politics, to science and literature.

The contributions of the movement were vast. For instance, the artistic realm experienced a revolution with the advent of techniques such as oil painting with linear perspective. Developing concrete production techniques allowed for creating majestic architectural wonders. The printing and publishing trades expanded access to knowledge and ideas. Setting up popular educational institutions opened doors to learning for a broader part of society. In science, the Renaissance fostered empirical observation and experimentation. Further, the period witnessed significant advancements in banking and accounting practices, shaping the foundations of modern finance.

However, we still mostly remember the Renaissance for the art of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other polymaths.

This is a modernized version of Walter Pater's seminal 1873 book on art and poetry during the Renaissance – translating it into present-day English to improve its readability and understandability.

Walter Pater (1839-1894) was an English essayist, literary and art critic, and philosopher. His work has had a lasting impact on commentary and debate in art criticism and cultural studies. Pater explores the Renaissance through analyses of the masterpieces of renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. He uncovers the literature and philosophy shaping this important period in history. He also advocates “art for art’s sake” – free of moral, political, religious, or other motives and considerations.

CONTENTS

Editorial foreword

Preface

1 Two Early French Stories

2 Pico della Mirandola

3 Sandro Botticelli

4 Luca della Robbia

5 The Poetry of Michelangelo

6 Leonardo da Vinci: Man as the servant and interpreter of nature

7 The School of Giorgione

8 Joachim du Bellay

9 Winckelmann:“I too in Arcadia”

10 Conclusion