De-Centering the Renaissance

1. Expanding the Renaissance  (Links to an external site.)Read the section entitled “Disrupting the Narrative”.

2. Crash Course: The Renaissance: Was It a Thing?

To tackle this assignment, start by reading and watching them. Take notes on the argument and perspective expressed in both. Write a one to two paragraph (at least 5 sentences per paragraph) summary of the points forwarded and ideas expressed in them.

Then, reread the following:

1. The passage in Gardner that discusses Gentile da Fabriano’s Adoration of the Magi altarpiece from the chapter entitled “The Quattrocento in Renaissance Italy”.

2. The Smarthistory article on the same artwork Gentile da Fabriano: Adoration of the Magi Reframed

Now reflect on how each source discusses this artwork:
What information is prioritized?
Whose perspectives are considered?
What information is left out that supports a deeper understanding of the content of the artwork?
What do you think scholars, who are in favor of a broader definition and exploration of the Renaissance, would say about Gardner’s passage on da Fabriano’s altarpiece. And about the Smarthistory article?

Imagine you are a museum curator and you are rewriting the text panel about Gentile da Fabriano’s Adoration of the Magi that will be hung next to the artwork in a museum exhibition. You are in favor of de-centering the Renaissance so you want to present information about the altarpiece that acknowledges that the Renaissance was shaped by a variety of different influences and cultures.

Write a two paragraph (at least 5 sentences per paragraph) discussion of the altarpiece that addresses the following:

1. What the imagery portrays

2. Historical context of the early Renaissance in Italy

3. Information that will teach museum visitors about a broader view of the Renaissance and that acknowledges  the Italian Renaissance was shaped by a variety of different influences and cultures.