I am expecting to recover the time capsule from the Renaissance period somewhere in Europe where it is believed to have originated during the 15th century (Pioch, 2006). It is probably located somewhere in France, because the word “renaissance” is a French term which originally means “rebirth,” or in Italy where the Renaissance movement began (Annenberg Media, 2007). Since the time capsule is from the Renaissance era, some of the pieces I am expecting to find includes the following: the painting “Madonna of the Magnificat” by Sandro Botticelli, a copy of the piece “The Ballet,” a picture of the dome of St.
Peter’s Basilica, a copy of the text “Oratio de Hominis Dignitate” (Discourse on the Dignity of Man) by Pico della Mirandola, and the book “Divine Comedy” written by Dante Alighieri. “Madonna of the Magnificat” was painted by Sandro Botticelli applying the techniques and art elements that were popular during the Renaissance period. Paintings during that period were trying to exhibit aesthetics and the natural beauty of the earth with the manipulation of light and shadow to depict realism in each piece.
(Wikipedia, 2007a) “The Ballet” was a piece played for dancing sessions during the renaissance period. As opposed to the solemn music that became popular before the renaissance movement, “The Ballet” is has a light and bouncy touch to it. The melody of each line deviates from the succeeding lines. (Thinkquest, 2007) The St. Peter’s Basilica represents the type of architecture during the renaissance. The use of domes in architecture was popular during that time. It was used as roofs for little spaces inside the structural design.
Arches, especially in windows, are also widely used in plans and designs of architecture. (Wikipedia, 2007b) The work of Pico dela Mirandola, “Discourse on the Dignity of Man,” is based on the philosophy of human worth, such as the capacity of man to learn all aspects of life. (Wikipedia, 2007c) Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” as written during the time of renaissance is said to have been influenced by justice, for the reason that the main theme of renaissance literature is justice itself.
(Wikipedia, 2007d) In general, European culture, in comparison to its character during the medieval age, has progressively advanced during the time of Renaissance, where art, music, architecture, philosophy and literature have grown out into a different artistic path. Classical trends in these areas were applied to enhance European culture. Different forms of art, such as music, architecture, philosophy and literature were seen as artistic expressions of beauty, nature and reality grounded on the philosophy of humanism and classicism. (Wikipedia, 2007a)
Baroque The time capsule from the age of baroque would probably contain the following relics: the painting “Narcissus” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a classical piece “Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, an image of the Elliptical Piazza by Bernini, the book “Maraviglia” by Giambattista Marino, and a copy of the text “Polyphemus and Galatea” by Luis de Gongora. Baroque art applies drama, movement, and emotions in its paintings. As seen in the work of Caravaggio, there is great intensity of emotion seen in the “Narcissus” (Pioch, 2002).
Deep shadow that gives a dark and gloomy impression to baroque art, called chiaroscuro, was harnessed in art pieces (Art History, 2007). The “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi represents Baroque music, which is in nature, orderly and, like the renaissance music, lively and soulful (Baroque Music, 2007). Like the renaissance architecture, the baroque style also incorporates domes of different sizes. Curves and arches are also popular during those days. A fine representation of baroque architecture is Bernini’s Elliptical Plaza and several fine and magnificent palaces that were built during that time.
(Infoplease, 1994) The “Maraviglia” by Marino represents the baroque philosophy, which centers on the individual man incorporating whimsicality and imagination. “Polyphemus and Galatea” is a poem written in baroque style because it assimilates baroque literature styles such as the use of metaphors and allegories. (Wikipedia, 2007e) The age of baroque in its totality spell out the words drama, religion, order, grandeur and magnificence, and the individual man based on the concept of naturalism. From the word “baroque” itself, it was an age of intricacy and detail.
Then, it was supported by the religious sector and the elites. (Pioch, 2002). The Age of Enlightenment When the time capsule from the age of enlightenment is discovered, you would find five artifacts from that era that would introduce what it is all about. Inside the time capsule, you would find: John Watteau’s painting named “Pilgrimage to Cythera,” the piece “The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a picture of country houses, text written by Isaac Newton and “An Essay of Man” by Alexander Pope.
Paintings during the enlightenment period employed the rococo style or the artistic style wherein their main subjects are women, specifically nude women, adorned with intricate jewelry. Symphonies, specifically chamber music, were popularized during the age of enlightenment. “The Magic Flute” by Mozart was an opera. Architecture was done simply and exhibits solemnity and serenity. These are seen in houses situated on the countryside. The philosophical view of the age of enlightenment was based on the association of science and humanity.
It is an age of broadening the state of mind and perspective. Literature styles then were in the form of poems, dramas, and expositions to express rational and sound reasoning. This can be felt upon reading Pope’s work, “An Essay of Man. ” In conclusion, during the enlightenment period, great intellects and artists strayed away from the assertions of religion and the authoritarian domination of the elites practiced in the baroque period, but tried to reason out knowledge with facts and evidences and impose rights for the commons. (Hackett, 1992) The Romantic Age
The time capsule from the age of romanticism may either be in Germany or in England. Romanticism is believed to have begun in these countries in the 18th century, until it eventually reached the entirety of Europe, and the rest of the world. (Brians, 1998) The time capsule of the romantic age is expected to contain the following pieces: the painting “Liberty Leading the People” by Eugene Delacroix, the “Fifth Symphony” which is a piece by Ludwig van Beethoven, an image of the Saint Clotilde Basilica, the book “The Sorrows of Young Werther” by Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle.
” Art pieces done during the age of romanticism expressed passion and nationalism. Paintings done were replicas of political events and disorder in the society. Looking at the painting by Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People,” there is passion felt to fight for liberty and freedom for the people and the country. (Brians, 1998) Romantic styles were applied to musical compositions done during the age of romanticism. Folk songs were widely used back then. The themes and the feel of musical compositions were heroic in nature and exhibit a sense of freedom.
Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony” is an example of this. (Wikipedia, 2007f) The architecture during the age of romanticism awakened gothic architecture, where it employs classic medieval architectural styles. (Wikipedia, 2007g) Goethe’s work, “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” centralizes on the theme of nationalism, heroism being secondary. Passion directed the main character of the book. Romantic literature, such as “Rip Van Winkle” by Irving, like romantic architecture, is influenced by gothic elements.
In this novel, simplicity and plainness of heroism is exhibited as well. In overview, the age of romanticism is an age of outbreaks of emotion as it concentrates on passion and feelings of nationalism, and expresses it aesthetically in the form of art pieces, literature, sculpture, architecture, etc. (Wikipedia, 2007f)
References
Annenberg Media, (2007) Renaissance. Retrieved November 29, 2007, from Annenberg Media, Website: http://www. learner. org/interactives/renaissance/ Art History, (2007). Baroque. Retrieved November 29, 2007, from HuntFor. Com.