Introduction
Compared to the general Italian Renaissance, Venetian Renaissance has quite different features from other city-states in Italy. This is because of the topographic aspects that isolate the city economically, politically and culturally. After the 16th century with the end of the Renaissance era, the impact of Venetian Renaissance continued and practices persisted through the 19th century. And still today, the city of Venice looks as it did in the Renaissance era, almost every part of the nature of the city comes down.
Painting
In Venice, painting has a power beyond the Italian Renaissance, and Venetian style has a great influence on the advancement of western painting. Painters of Venice made the contours of objects intense, light and bright. Softening with colours, creating the impression of an atmosphere where colours are fused with each other. Depending on the tradition established before them, both they followed and exceeded it. Giovanni and Gentile Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Carpaccio, and Paolo Veronese are just a few of the outstanding artists of their time. They mostly copied figures from ancient times.
So, it can be said that both Latin (Western) and Greek (Eastern) influence is seen in paintings. Therefore, the city has a reputation of unsullied liberty, unwavering religiosity, social harmony and unfailing peaceful intention. Designated unfailing stability in this direction was respected and appreciated by outsiders. These advances with strict government control are reflected in paintings. Venetian Republic used art as an ‘arm of government’ and supported it.
Architecture
In architecture, order, symmetry and ratio that are the characteristics of Renaissance can be observed. Architecture is an important segment, and widely used to represent the splendour of the city of Venice. This is because of the belief that it strengthens trust in the Venetian Republic. So, architecture is widely used to represent the magnificence of the city. The symbol of the city that is widely known is the Virgin or Goddess Venus.
However, the Lion of Saint Marks which stands on top of the column in Piazzetta has a more rooted and historical significance for the city. The Lion stands not only on the column in Piazzetta, but also exists on the public buildings, gates and palaces in the city. The symbolic meaning of the lion statue is to greet those who come from outside. If the symbol of the lion viewed from the painting perspective as another angle, it manifests the cruciality of the saint as the guardian of the city of Venice. Harmonious equality principle has been adopted in architecture. The renewal of the architecture for its own sake and reminding of the antique is considered important.
Interaction with Ottoman Empire
The city was a bridge between East and the West in terms of mercantile activities thanks to its geographical situation. Looking at the other aspects of the city in the Renaissance period, oriental figures are seen with the interaction of Ottoman Empire with the invasion of Constantinople in 1453. With this interaction, Venetian artists show a tendency to make portraits of Ottoman Sultans. One of the most important is a “Portrait of Sultan Mehmet II” by Gentile Bellini, 1480 who served as a state painter in the Venetian Republic. Also, the other example of oriental figure is Basilica di San Marco which is similar to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul architecturally.
Music
Other important aspects of the Venetian Renaissance are music. Venetian School has an enormous role for the development of music history. Venetian polychoral style is formed here from about 1550 to around 1610 with the works of composers. There are many factors in the formation of this school. One of them is the death of Pope Leo X and the Pillage of Rome in more ensuing years. After that, the long-dominant musical institution in Rome was overshadowed: many musicians came to Venice.
Another factor is the presence of the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica. The basilica had extensive architecture, and a musical style was developed to take advantage of sound delay: the Venetian polychoral style. The singers’ bands and instruments interacted with one another, often blending with the organ’s sound. A final important point about Venice is that the city is undoubtedly the centre of book publishing in Italy. This is thanks to its historical trade interaction. This innovation of publishing was an effective reason for the composers from all over Europe to come to Venice to use this technology.
Conclusion
The cultural and geographical features of Venice and the opportunities offered by the history to the city have added a unique character to it. This rare beauty, which lives its period beyond its age, continues to fully experience the breezes of Renaissance history.
References
Gazioğlu, H. H. (2011). Venedik Ekolü, Hacettepe University Faculty of Literature Department of Art History.
