The Early Renaissance saw artists rise from anonymous craftsmen to celebrated individuals. Humanism, wealth, and technical innovations elevated their status, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci embodying the new "artist-genius" concept.

Patrons played a crucial role, commissioning works and fostering competition. This shift allowed artists to command higher wages, sign their creations, and enjoy greater social recognition, marking a significant change from medieval times.

Artists' Elevated Status in the Early Renaissance

Factors Contributing to Higher Status

• The rise of humanism led to greater appreciation for individual talent and creativity
  • Humanism emphasized the value of human achievement and individual expression
  • Artists seen as intellectual equals to scholars and philosophers
• Increasing wealth of Italian city-states (Florence) created growing demand for art
  • More competitive market for artists led to higher wages and greater recognition
• Development of linear perspective and other technical innovations demonstrated intellectual and scientific capabilities of artists
  • Earned artists respect as learned individuals
• Emergence of the concept of the "artist-genius" further elevated status of exceptional artists
  • Exemplified by figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo
• Practice of artists signing their works became more common
  • Indicated growing sense of pride in their creations and desire for individual recognition

Impact of Humanism on Perception of Artists

• Humanism emphasized the value of human achievement and individual expression
  • Led to greater appreciation for skill and creativity of artists
• Humanist belief in importance of education and learning extended to the arts
  • Artists seen as intellectual equals to scholars and philosophers
• Humanist writers (Giorgio Vasari) began documenting lives and works of artists
  • Contributed to their fame and legacy
• Humanist interest in classical antiquity inspired artists to study and emulate art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome
  • Led to revival of classical styles and themes
• Humanism encouraged exploration of secular subjects in art (mythology, portraiture)
  • Expanded range of artistic expression beyond solely religious themes

Patronage and Artistic Landscape

Role of Wealthy Patrons

• Wealthy patrons (Medici family in Florence) commissioned artworks for private and public spaces
  • Provided artists with steady income and opportunities to showcase their skills
• Competition among patrons to secure services of most talented artists
  • Led to increased bargaining power for artists and ability to command higher prices
• Patrons often developed close relationships with artists they supported
  • Invited artists into their social circles and treated them as valued members of their households

Influence of Patronage on Art

• Patronage from Catholic Church, particularly the papacy, remained significant source of support for artists
  • Commissions for religious artworks and architectural projects
• Tastes and preferences of patrons influenced subject matter, style, and medium of artworks
  • Shaped overall artistic landscape of Early Renaissance

Humanism's Impact on Artists

Emphasis on Human Achievement and Individual Expression

• Humanism emphasized value of human achievement and individual expression
  • Led to greater appreciation for skill and creativity of artists
• Humanist belief in importance of education and learning extended to the arts
  • Artists seen as intellectual equals to scholars and philosophers

Documentation and Legacy

• Humanist writers (Giorgio Vasari) began documenting lives and works of artists
  • Contributed to their fame and legacy
• Humanist interest in classical antiquity inspired artists to study and emulate art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome
  • Led to revival of classical styles and themes

Expansion of Artistic Themes

• Humanism encouraged exploration of secular subjects in art (mythology, portraiture)
  • Expanded range of artistic expression beyond solely religious themes

Artist Status: Early Renaissance vs Previous Periods

Shift from Craftsmen to Intellectuals

• In medieval period, artists often considered craftsmen and belonged to guilds
  • In Early Renaissance, artists began to be seen as intellectuals and creative individuals
• Medieval artists typically worked anonymously
  • Early Renaissance artists increasingly signed their works and gained individual recognition for talent

Impact of Humanism

• Rise of humanism in Early Renaissance led to greater appreciation for skill and creativity of artists
  • Compared to emphasis on religious devotion and anonymity in medieval period

Changes in Patronage

• Patronage in Early Renaissance became more diverse
  • Wealthy individuals and families commissioned artworks alongside traditional patronage of Church
  • Provided artists with more opportunities and bargaining power compared to medieval period

Emergence of "Artist-Genius" Concept

• Early Renaissance saw emergence of concept of "artist-genius"
  • Elevated exceptional artists to higher social status than medieval counterparts, who were largely viewed as skilled craftsmen
• Exemplified by figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo