Key developments during the French Renaissance

Key developments during the French Renaissance

This era was significant due to the cultural and artistic rebirth in France. The movement happened during the late 1400s to early 1600s and represented a shift from the middle ages to modernity (Bergin, 2015). The French invasion of Italy is a significant cause of the movement. This because Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance in the 14th century. Therefore, when the French invaded them in the late 15th century, they were influenced by the arts, culture and literature. As a result, many Italians such as Rosso Fiorentino, Niccolò dell’Abbate played notable roles in the early French artistic and literary transformation (Abulafia, 2016).

Key developments during the French Renaissance

Architecture

French Renaissance architecture had a rich Italian flavor. Initially, the style drew primarily from Italian architects and artisans while later it developed a French design influenced by classicism. Royal architects such as Jean Bullant and Philibert Delorme were instrumental in promoting the French model. The Chateau de Langeais, the Chateau of Gaillon and the Chateau of Fontainebleau, represent some of the significant royal châteaux built during this era (Blomfield, 2013).

Music

One highlight of the French Renaissance music is the emergence of the mostly French-speaking Burgundy as a musical center during the early and mid-15th century. The area was notable for the presence of many famous musicians and composers. Franco-Flemish style of polyphony, which was a popular music style in Europe during this era, owed its roots to then Burgundy style. Another crucial French music contribution was the secular chanson songs led by renowned composers such as Clément Janequin and Claudin de Sermisy (Kirkpatrick, 2014).

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Literature

The introduction of the printing press marked this era. Literary productions used the Middle French language. Short stories and oral tales enjoyed public popularity while significant growth was realized in the circulation of tracts, memoirs and pamphlets. Love was a prevalent theme in all literary genres. Some of the notable figures in French literature then included Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, François Rabelais, Pierre de Ronsard (Saintsbury, 2018).

The French Renaissance Era was a period marked by remarkable advancements in arts, literature and music. The era played a significant role in the development of modern French creative productions.