StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

On Paul Johnson's view of the Renaissance - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Human civilization is marked by incidents captivated in the pages of historical documents as they bear the complete transition of art, culture, literature and society. Renaissance is one such event in the history of human civilisation that marks a complete metamorphosis of the…
Download free paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.1% of users find it useful
On Paul Johnsons view of the Renaissance
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "On Paul Johnson's view of the Renaissance"

Paul Johnson’s View on Renaissance Introduction Human civilization is marked by incidents captivated in the pages of historical documents as they bear the complete transition of art, culture, literature and society. Renaissance is one such event in the history of human civilisation that marks a complete metamorphosis of the society. Therefore, an in-depth study and myriad perspective presented by the authors and historians across the world would open a new vista of thought-process pertaining to the movement that not only enlighten the minds of the readers but also help to understand the struggle and glory of the yesteryears.

The Renaissance: A Short History - Trajectory of the By-gone DaysPaul Johnson, an eminent writer, journalist, historian and speechwriter takes the initiative to set off the ever inquisitive minds into a journey of the glorious by-gone years during the Renaissance movement and give a new vision and fresh arena to the much dealt term and era in the history of human civilisation. Paul Johnson captivates his serious readings regarding the Renaissance and the forgotten glorious yester-years in his epoch-making document bearing the testimony of the movement and the development of art and culture during the time in his book, “The Renaissance: A Short History”.

The enlightening book, “The Renaissance: A Short History” is undoubtedly one of the very brief historical presentations of the most elaborate period of human history. The enlightening 208 pages of this terse volume enable the readers to look upon the movement and the period from a different dimension which was never dealt before in the historical canon. As the Romantic period in English literature was much influenced by the precursors of the period, like-wise Johnson’s main contention regarding the movement and precisely the cultural evolvement during the period, concerned the pertinent influence of the post-Greco-Roman and post-Roman European works.

Johnson repeatedly drew upon these influences and tried to analyse their effect on the works that evolved during the Renaissance period. Johnson contended that Renaissance was a term of “common usage” and looked upon the movement as a mass protest or petition keeping it far away from the general contention of cultural movement from the cradle of academia and elitists.Johnson also viewed the movement essentially as a socio-economic reform and in the first section of the book, thoroughly assessed the social and economic background against which the movement surged up, “Most generations, of all human societies, have a propensities to look back on golden ages and seek to restore them” (Johnson, “The Renaissance: A Short History”, Pg - 5).

Very systematically, Johnson then started examining the Renaissance literature and sculptor by drawing large inferences from the anatomy of the Renaissance art, architecture and sculptors and trying to trace the Greco-Roman and European influences amid them. To support this fact in the very third page of the book Johnson mentions, “they were conscious that a cultural rebirth of a kind was taking place, and that some of the literary , philosophical and artistic grandeur of ancient Greece and Rome was being re-created” (Johnson, “The Renaissance: A Short History”, Pg - 3).

Very significantly, he also tried to put the chronological order of the creations and creative canon of the period along with his clear view on the number of controversial books that were printed in and across Europe during the period including the evolution of the polyphonic music of the 16th century.Johnson, in a very terse way, projects the biographies of many prominent creative artists of the period. At the same time, he also draws inferences on the relationships and exchanges between these prominent aesthetic canons during the time.

Renaissance is largely viewed from the perspective of the artistic, religious and economic trends. Johnson’s repetition of the fact that a large number of influences in the Renaissance period were drawn from the post-Roman European period hints at the fact that Johnson was never very convinced with the idea of putting the movement Renaissance into a paradigm where it is considered as a revolution that has an exclusive origin and entity. And to prove this fact, Johnson redundantly hinted on the fact of the Renaissance artists being influenced by the ancient models.

Johnson pointed that the Roman model was practiced by the study of the classic letters which were engraved and the elaborate use of the pagan myths as themes by the artists in their works indicate that the scholars incessantly started scrutinizing and exploring the scriptural texts and the thematic influences from the Bible were avoided. Johnson also had thrown light on the use of tempera on the wet plaster and the use of canvas and oil painting made the work of the artist more comfortable than the frescoes.

Drawing on myriad aspects of art and literature, the most important facet of Renaissance that was explored by Johnson was to disclaim the exclusive dependence of the Renaissance artist on the ecclesia or pertinently the church. Johnson was the first historian to break the conventional idea regarding the monopoly of religion or church upon the aesthetic world. He contended that the movement of Renaissance was more humanistic in nature and had a large influence of pagan influence on it.ConclusionIndeed there are innumerable texts that deal and throw light on the most fascinating and historically important period of Renaissance.

But only few texts like “The Renaissance: A Short History” by Paul Johnson provides a different aspect, a new vista to the movement and the time enlightening the world by a short and brief glimpse of the elaborate period by significantly drawing upon the subtle and intricate phenomena operating throughout the entire time period. The separation of church from the movement of Renaissance and the pertinent influence of pagan world into the aesthetic developments of the period are truly significant inventions in the canon of history.

BibliographyJohnson, Paul. The Renaissance: A Short History. Modern Library, 2002.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(On Paul Johnson's view of the Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words, n.d.)
On Paul Johnson's view of the Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. https://studentshare.org/literature/1753882-on-paul-johnsons-view-of-the-renaissance
(On Paul Johnson'S View of the Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
On Paul Johnson'S View of the Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/literature/1753882-on-paul-johnsons-view-of-the-renaissance.
“On Paul Johnson'S View of the Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”. https://studentshare.org/literature/1753882-on-paul-johnsons-view-of-the-renaissance.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF On Paul Johnson's view of the Renaissance

Art of the renaissance

Art of the renaissance My Dear Isabella, It is with great pleasure that I write to you on this sunny morning in May to express my thanks for the kind invitation that you sent to me, for your exhibition last month.... I am trying to persuade one of my patrons to support these young men and so it was a fortunate coincidence that allowed me to come and view your works at the same time.... I don't expect you will be permitted to view them, my dear, because the monks will hardly be prepared to open their doors to even one so beautiful as you, on the grounds that you are a women and hence forbidden to enter their hallowed rooms....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters First One Hundred Years

This essay explores the contents as well as the representations presented in the book in the form of life history of the Delaney Sisters.... Life History is usually autobiographical, but since most interesting lives touch on various subjects with varying talents, some or most of these lives involve a non-writer....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Acts of Paul and Thecla

Acts of Paul and Thecla The view of women as depicted in this document by Paul where Thecla is seen as an aristocratic young woman who upon hearing the teachings and message of Paul gives up her fiancé and follows Paul on his missions.... In the paper “Acts of paul and Thecla” the author views the women as depicted in this document by paul where Thecla is seen as an aristocratic young woman who upon hearing the teachings and message of paul gives up her fiancé and follows paul on his missions....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Proposal

Renaissance Period and Donation of Constantine

Admittedly, humanism in the renaissance period believed in the celebration of liberal arts.... nbsp; Vitruvuan man Humanism in the renaissance period believed in the celebration of liberal arts.... The author of this essay "renaissance Period" casts light on the peculiarities of the renaissance period.... nbsp; … In renaissance period, humanism was deeply connected to the rediscovery of Greek and Roman culture....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Ugly renaissance babies

I think that great number of the renaissance Babies are not particularly missed formed they are simply merciless accurate to-life.... The ability and expertise still beams through years after the fact in Old Master artworks, yet the renaissance craftsmen more than once did something that we dither at today.... Well the renaissance craftsmen clearly finished not.... renaissance painters needed to try to incorporate amazing Ugly renaissance babies renaissance depictions werent there to look really on the front room divider....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Boswells Views About the Written Work of Addison and Johnson

The paper describes Boswell's view and perception of the two authors' work that is based on his opinion after analyzing their work.... hellip; In Boswell's view, there exists a significant difference in the work of Addison and Johnson.... In Boswell's view, there exists a significant difference in the work of Addison and Johnson.... The work of Addison in comparison pleases all at first that's why compared to wineBoswell's view and perception of two authors' work are based on his opinion after analyzing their work....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

The Interactional View of Paul Watzlawick

This essay "The Interactional view of Paul Watzlawick" dwells on the ideas expressed by Paul Watzlawick.... It is mentioned, paul Watzlawick believes that understanding individuals is easier when one does it within the family system.... A stable family can't communicate....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Montaignes Constraints: A Renaissance View of the Noble Savage

This essay "Montaigne's Constraints: A Renaissance view of the Noble Savage" presents Montaigne's account of the New World, it is clear he chooses things that contrast directly with life in his own society, using the essay to condemn its defects.... hellip; The way the 'natives' organize themselves is what he likes best: the way they have no formal ways of documenting and none of the modern trappings of contracts and laws....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us