Post #1

The Renaissance is an amazing period in human history. I think that it is still held in such high regard today because of large and noticeable steps taken in all parts of life and how we understand it. The artwork is nearly unbelievable and stands as a high point of human achievement but is only a portion of all that was going on at that time. These men, as artists, were also very interested in biology, anatomy, architecture, astronomy, mechanics and made large headway on a number of now specific areas of knowledge. That is why I feel that the true masters, especially Leonardo Da Vinci, are held in such high regard still today. Because when you look at only at the art work he created, he would have still made his impact on history but then take into account all the other fields he covered and intellectual contributions he made throughout and after his life, it is amazing. Its genius. The artwork that survives from this period shows a glimpse in time when mankind started to figure "it" out, the fringe of modern and enlightened society. It shows in all things related to the time but nothing hits as fast or hard as viewing the art of the period. When you look at the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel, then compare it to other earlier art the gap between becomes obvious. Maybe not "better" but impressive none the less and that makes the Renaissance special.