Into part 1. (from an essay The Renaissance Of...)

The Renaissance meaning ‘rebirth’ marks a period of time from the 14^th to the 16^th century and refers to a cultural change that spread across much of Europe. The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy and was named by the artist and writer Vasari. His book, ‘The Lives…’ marked the beginning of a literary discourse upon art that we now refer to in modern terms as Art History.

         In works of art; whether sculpture, architecture or painting, The Renaissance is identifiable in the clear influence of classical antiquity upon subject matter and in naturalism through highly skilled application of perspective and geometry. The upsurge in humanism combined with revived interest in classicalism, supported the development of art in parallel with traditionalist religious iconography. Many artists worked on commissions from wealthy patrons as well as for the state.

         Among them was Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most prolific artists of his time. He embodied the signifying traits of The Renaissance through his rationalism and vision. Throughout his lifetime, his projects spanned from the famous painting of  ‘The Last Supper’ to the development of military defence systems.

         The breadth and depth of The Renaissance can be felt in the many fields which serve the foundation for our own contemporary culture - in philosophy, aesthetics, technology and of course in art. But why is The Renaissance still relevant today? And what does it have to do with the importance of movement in Contemporary Dance?