The art of the Middle Ages and the advances of the Proto-Renaissance overlapped significantly over centuries, and yet, it is undeniable that changes were brewing in Italy during the 13th and 14th centuries.  Using one specific example of art or architecture from this week’s textbook source, discuss the following:

• Describe what you see as traditions of aesthetics from the traditions of the Middle Ages in your selection: what looks familiar from previous Units?  Focus on techniques, subject matter, materials, symbolism, etc.
• Explain why your selection represents the new ideology of the Proto-Renaissance: what’s new visually?  What influences can you see from Ancient Rome?  How can you formally evaluate this work in ways we couldn’t do before?  Describe the subtle shift in innovation within the arts that you can identify in your selection.