The Purpose Of This Discussion Is To Reflect On And Share
The Purpose Of This Discussion Is To Reflect On And Share The Things Y
The purpose of this discussion is to reflect on and share the things you have learned in this module. Instructions Identify something that made you go "wow" in this module - what surprised or impressed or shocked you? Describe why this thing stood out to you. Use quotes from your readings and research to support your observations. Make sure to use your primary sources! Include an illustration from the period, and make sure you caption the illustration. Share two or three new words you've learned from this module and the definitions. Your Wow statement should be at least words, not including the citations. By Sunday, respond to the Wows of at least two other students with at least a couple of sentences. Use the Purdue OWL Chicago Style guide for help with the correct citation style for your quotes.
Paper For Above instruction
Throughout this module, I encountered numerous fascinating insights into historical art and cultural expressions that truly made me say "wow." However, one of the most striking revelations was the profound impact of Renaissance humanism on art and society (Jardine, 2013). The Renaissance period was a pivotal moment in history, emphasizing the value of individualism, scientific exploration, and classical learning. What impressed me most was how artists like Leonardo da Vinci embodied these ideals through their work, blending science and art seamlessly. As Jardine (2013) notes, "Da Vinci’s mastery in anatomy and perspective exemplified the Renaissance pursuit of understanding the human condition and nature." This integration of scientific inquiry into artistic practice was revolutionary and changed the trajectory of visual representation forever.
The illustration that captivated me was Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man,” which exemplifies the Renaissance obsession with proportion, symmetry, and human anatomy (da Vinci, 1490). The drawing not only displays artistic skill but also reflects the period’s scientific curiosity about the human body. A caption for this illustration could be: “Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (circa 1490): A scientific and artistic exploration of human proportions.” This artwork stood out because it represents the convergence of art, science, and philosophy, embodying the Renaissance spirit of inquiry and discovery.
From this module, I learned new words such as “perspective,” “anatomy,” and “horizon.” Perspective refers to the technique used in visual arts to depict depth and spatial relationships (Kemp, 1990). Anatomy involves the study of the structure of living organisms, especially the human body (Gray, 1918). Horizon describes the distant line where the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet, especially in landscape art (Janson & Janson, 2004). These terms enriched my understanding of how Renaissance artists achieved realism and scientific accuracy in their work.
What surprised me most was how art during the Renaissance was not only aesthetic but also a form of scientific inquiry and philosophical reflection. Artists like da Vinci and Michelangelo were also scientists and engineers, pushing the boundaries of knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach was a departure from the notion of art and science as separate fields, revealing a holistic approach to understanding the world (Cameron, 2014). It broadened my perspective on the historical interplay between creativity and scientific investigation.
In conclusion, this module deepened my appreciation of the innovative spirit of the Renaissance, where art and science collaborated to produce some of the most influential works in history. The integration of scientific methods with artistic techniques continues to influence contemporary artistic practices and demonstrates the enduring importance of cross-disciplinary exploration. The “wow” moment for me was realizing how profoundly these historical developments have shaped modern concepts of human knowledge and creativity.
References
Cameron, D. (2014). The Renaissance and science: A cultural history. Oxford University Press.
Da Vinci, L. (1490). Vitruvian Man. [Drawing].
Gray, H. (1918). Gray’s Anatomy. Lea & Febiger.
Janson, H. W., & Janson, A. F. (2004). History of Art. Pearson Education.
Jardine, L. (2013). Worldlygoods: The Renaissance in Italy. Yale University Press.
Kemp, M. (1990). The Science of Art: Optical Themes in Western Art from Brunelleschi to Seurat. Yale University Press.