Renaissance at the NGA (Soon!)

The 13^th century was a dark time in Europe. When we think of the Middle Ages we (and by ‘we’ I mean ‘I’) imagine Medieval Knights slaying Dragons while damsels in distress waive silk scarves from atop towers. The reality is much darker…

The early Middle Ages saw the collapse of the once mighty Roman Empire, then there were The Crusades in which countless people lost their lives and because the Middle Ages had set such a high-bar for chaos and craziness they polished it all off with a Hundred Year War and the Black Plague.

It’s not all bad news though – with so many religions, nations and families biding for world domination the Middle Ages gave rise to the Renaissance. The Arts had a rough time during the Middle Ages and with the collapse of the Romans much of the world had (quite rightly) decided that they had bigger fish to fry. But medieval power means nothing if you can’t flaunt it – and flaunt it they did.

Artists, musicians and architects were commissioned frequently towards the end of the 14^th century and the Renaissance, a period of cultural uprising and enlightenment was spawned. From the darkness of the previous 400 or so years, education, art, philosophy and even science had found a resurgence not seen since the Romans and much of the most beautiful pieces of art to this day were all created during the Renaissance period.

Borticelli, Titian, Bellini and all you favourite Ninja Turtles are from this small period of time in human history and today, six centuries later you would be hard pressed to find a human being who does not know their name.

Yes, the art (and philosophy) of the Italian Renaissance was important for religious reasons, particularly Christianity, but it's importance transcends even religion. To say that the Renaissance and the Italian art of the period is a significant milestone in human history is to put it too lightly.

So by now, you are probably wondering where I am going with this little history lesson, well…

Had you of told Raphael that his work would be hanging in a gallery in the capital city of Terra Australis, Canberra, in the 21^st century I am sure he’d have laughed (not likely, Terra Australis was still a ‘hypothetical’ land mass at the time of his death and hadn’t really appeared on any maps until after he had passed) – yet, this is exactly what is going to happen.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have before us this summer a unique and wonderful opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Australia and view artwork on soil that was not even known to the world when they were painted. Artwork from a period that is more beautiful and revered than any other period before us. 

What better way to spend a summers day than to devote hours pouring yourself over Renaissance art then retiring to the shade of the NGAs beautiful  Sculpture Garden for the Veuve Clicquot Sculpture Bar and some refreshing French champagne. As members of the modern world we owe it to the Renaissance to take the time to appreciate the end of the dark ages and the start of the cultured, educated and truly fortunate world we now enjoy.

Adult tickets are $25.00 and available from Ticketek
and the exhibition will be running from December 9th 2011 until April 9th 2012.

Madonna with Child - Raphael (c.1503 Oil on Panel)