Donato Bramante and Renaissance Style

Donato Bramante and Renaissance Style

Introduction

There have been many different eras in the history of art and architecture that have produced one of the most well-known and famous masterpieces in art. One of such most famous eras includes the Renaissance era for architecture. This is the time period between the 15th and the 17th centuries in various European countries and regions. The era demonstrates and reflects a conscious development and revival of several elements of the ancient Roman and Greek thoughts, perspectives and material culture. There have been a number of famous artists in this era who contributed significantly in the Renaissance era through their skills and talent. One of such names includes Donato Bramante. Known worldwide for his creativity and skills, Donato Bramante has undoubtedly created the most amazing artifacts.

Discussion

Donato Bramante, born in the year 1444 and died in 1514, was a very talented Italian architect. Amongst many of his achievements in the field, he should also be given the credit for introducing the Renaissance style of architecture to the architects in Milan. In addition, he also introduced in Rome the High Renaissance style. It was his plan for the St. Peter's Basilica, which formed the basis of the design executed later by Michelangelo. Moreover, his Tempietto or San Pietro in Montorio simply set the foundation in Rome in the year 1502 of the High Renaissance art style. This is the era when Alexander VI selected Donato to build for him a sanctuary, which marked the spot of Peter's crucification (Rowland, 2006).

It will be fair to say that in spite the uniqueness of the Renaissance style of architecture, it was indeed the perfection with which Bramante presented the style that the Renaissance was adapted by various architects in Rome and Italy in a very short period of time. Designs and creations by Bramante clearly reflected and represented his understanding and interest of various essential elements and factors in the architecture. These include three-dimensional massing, perspective illusions and spatial volume. Equally significant to the glorious visions of Donato was his information of the ancient structures. This knowledge evidently helped Bramante in successfully creating some the most recognizable and memorable structures for the planet.

In addition, the ideas, buildings and structures by Bramante clearly incorporates and uses various geometric shapes that includes the cube and the cylinder and also the use of several empty voids including flat walls that turn out to be extremely useful for artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. They used these walls as grand canvasses while creating their most important artifacts. Hence, the work and techniques used by Donato Bramante served as an inspiration for many of the Renaissance style artists and architects in the later years (Hersey, 1993).

Bramante's love for ancient structures and designs which ultimately inspired him to design and create court yards and buildings which were not just about giving the building a classical look. However, perspectives and illusions adapted jus adds to the ...