The Renaissance was one of the most glorious periods in Italian cultural history, and it has left a lasting imprint on our world today. As part of a major cultural exchange project between China and Italy, an exhibition revealing the social, political and cultural nuances of the Renaissance is currently happening at the Capital Museum here in Beijing.
The exhibition "Art, Culture and Daily Life in Renaissance Italy" features 102 works from 17 important Italian art galleries and museums including the Uffizi Gallery, the National Museum of Bargello and Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria.
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Italian Renaissance art on display in Beijing /VCG Photo
Through rediscovery, revival, appropriation and development of the classical Greco-Roman tradition, the Renaissance led to great cultural innovation in Italian history. The collection ranges from paintings to clothes, daily utensils to architectural images, recreating what real-life was like back then.
The collections, around 80 percent of which are on display in China for the first time, include paintings, clothes, badges and building models.
Renaissance architecture has its roots in antiquity, but it didn't simply imitate the former. Architects tried to understand the laws of composition and geometry that rendered a building harmonious and more suitable for living.
The use of geometry was exemplified by simple surfaces and plain decoration. For example, cornices predominately underlay structural elements and joints; they use regular forms, like round arches and rectangular, squared and circular designs with clear symmetry.
Renaissance art was characterized by the prominence of secular subjects. Paintings often depicted contemporary events. In particular, portraits became popularized as a genre with increase in demand.
“Items for daily use are usually neglected when referring to the Renaissance period. We hope through this exhibition – not only artwork but also daily necessities, people can learn more about the past and present of Italy,” said Federica Zalabra, curator of the exhibition.
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In terms of the paintings, the exhibition includes works by famous artists like Tiziano Vecelli, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino.
"The exhibition uses paintings to introduce architecture and urban planning in Italy during the Renaissance. Visitors can see how architects applied the golden ratio and geometric perspective in architectural design," said Huang Xueyin, deputy curator of the Capital Museum.
The exhibition will run until June 22. The entry is free.
(Li Qiong also contributed to this story.)