Propaganda

Carmen Romero Lorenzo
12251702
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7. Discuss the relationship between art and propaganda at the Renaissance courts with detailed reference to ONE of the following topics:
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a)Piero della Francesca’s work for the Montefeltro of Urbino

This essay is about the relationship between the Renaissancecourts labours as patrons and the propaganda. The Renaissance is a cultural movement born in Florence in the fourteenth century. It was expanded for Europe, and it was the dominant tendency during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Its name comes from a reborn of Greco-Roman styles and ideas which brought the light of the humanism and ended with the dark medieval world. The man wasplaced in the centre of the Universe revalorising the study of the poetry, grammar, history, moral philosophy and rhetoric like a proof of the genius of man. Greek and Roman thinkers were a fount of inspiration for the Renaissance humanists, especially Cicero, who applied their theories to their own political situation.

Italy was parted in different city-states since the fall of the Roman empirein the fifth century. They not even share a political system, but we could find republics, Papal States and numerous princely courts allied with The Holy Roman Empire or the Pope. These princely courts can be referred to the land ruled by a prince as wells as his wife, household, courtiers and officials. This court was not static, but there was a constant movement of visitors and employed. Havinga court plenty of the best musicians or military general was seem as a sign of influence. The power was kept by bureaucratic machine and the prince who following with the Renaissance’s ideal were men of arms and letter, educated by the classic in strategy and moral and in the war’s skill. In fact, most of them were condottiere (mercenaries) who hire their troops in exchange of great deals.Values of chivalry were also present in these courts. A notable exception was the family who rule Florence the Medici who were bankers not soldiers. Women also used to receive a humanist education and some of them had an important political role while their husbands were acting as condottiere like Eleonora of Aragon.

These princes spent large sum in art patronage because it was seen like anhonourable thing to do, besides a sign of power and invulnerability that sent a straight message about power and honour. Following with the return of the ancient Greeks values it was adopted an Aristotle theory called “Magnificence” which consisted in using individual wealth for providing your city with splendorous buildings like the Roman Emperor had done. It was a way for make yourself popular too,like the ruler of Naples Alfonso of Aragon who was despised by the citizens for being an Spaniard but spent great deals on art in order to prove that he cared about the city and that he was fond of Renaissance values. Sometimes this expense was criticised and denominated an extravagance. We have to remember also that when Aristotle spoke about “Magnificence” he maintained that the sum must beappropriate neither weak nor outrageous. It had to be cared as well that the quality and durability of the materials were the correct ones for each occasion depending on the religious or secular importance.

Soon it became a sort of competition to see what ruler could attract the best artist to their court. So the power of propaganda was once more demonstrated having into account that it was a way toshow your wealth, good citizen or piety. Every prince wanted to be the most splendorous and the cities built in wood turned into marble in a relative short time. One of the most outstanding examples was Urbino which experienced an incredible growth under Federico da Montefeltro and their heirs who transformed the little city into an important centre of Renaissance.

The Renaissance courts...