The Revival of the Olympian Gods in Renaissance Art

This book deals specifically with sixteenth-century depictions of the Olympian deities, the twelve supreme deities of ancient Greece and Rome. As the Renaissance revived several aspects of antiquity, some great works of art represented the Olympians in imitation of the classical style. These deities were rendered as autonomous figures, in the form of representation adapted for depicting saints and Christian rulers. This form of depicting the Olympians, or the pagan gods, was not unanimously accepted by sixteenth-century viewers. The book highlights the problematic framework surrounding the creation, display and acceptance of such thought-provoking works of art. xv, 301 pages : 25 cm "In this study Luba Freedman examines the revival of the twelve Olympian deities in the visual arts of sixteenth-century Italy. Renaissance representations of the Olympians as autonomous figures in paintings, sculpture, and drawing were not easily integrated into a Christian society. While many patrons and artists venerated the ancient artworks for their artistic qualities, others, nourished by religious beliefs, felt compelled to adapt ancient representations to Christian subjects. These conflicting attitudes influenced the representation of deities intentionally made all'antica, often resulting in an interweaving of classical and nonclassical elements that is alien to the original, ancient sources. The study, the first devoted to this problem, highlights how problematic it was during the Cinquecento to display and receive images of pagan gods, whether shaped by ancient or contemporary artists. It offers new insights into the uneven absorption of the classical heritage during the early modern era."--Jacket Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-283) and index pt. I. Outlining a Cinquecento Phenomenon -- 1. Terms and Concepts -- 2. Components of the Phenomenon -- pt. II. Discoveries and their Impact -- 3. Olympian Deities in Ancient Sculpture -- 4. Ancient Testimonies -- 5. Literary Descriptions -- 6. The Question of Revival -- pt. III. Cinquecento Works of Art -- 7. "Classical" Elements -- 8. Nonclassical Elements -- 9. The Conflict in Cinquecento Schools of Thought In This Study Luba Freedman Examines The Revival Of The Twelve Olympian Deities In The Visual Arts Of Sixteenth-century Italy. Renaissance Representations Of The Olympians As Autonomous Figures In Paintings, Sculpture, And Drawing Were Not Easily Integrated Into A Christian Society. While Many Patrons And Artists Venerated The Ancient Artworks For Their Artistic Qualities, Others, Nourished By Religious Beliefs, Felt Compelled To Adapt Ancient Representations To Christian Subjects. These Conflicting Attitudes Influenced The Representation Of Deities Intentionally Made All'antica, Often Resulting In An Interweaving Of Classical And Nonclassical Elements That Is Alien To The Original, Ancient Sources. The Study, The First Devoted To This Problem, Highlights How Problematic It Was During The Cinquecento To Display And Receive Images Of Pagan Gods, Whether Shaped By Ancient Or Contemporary Artists. It Offers New Insights Into The Uneven Absorption Of The Classical Heritage During The Early Modern Era.--jacket. Pt. I. Outlining A Cinquecento Phenomenon -- 1. Terms And Concepts -- 2. Components Of The Phenomenon -- Pt. Ii. Discoveries And Their Impact -- 3. Olympian Deities In Ancient Sculpture -- 4. Ancient Testimonies -- 5. Literary Descriptions -- 6. The Question Of Revival -- Pt. Iii. Cinquecento Works Of Art -- 7. Classical Elements -- 8. Nonclassical Elements -- 9. The Conflict In Cinquecento Schools Of Thought. Luba Freedman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In this study Luba Freedman examines the revival of the twelve Olympian deities in the visual arts of sixteenth-century Italy. Renaissance representations of the Olympians as autonomous figures in paintings, sculpture, and drawing were not easily integrated into a Christian society. While many patrons and artists venerated the ancient artworks for their artistic qualities, others, nourished by religious beliefs, felt compelled to adapt ancient representations to Christian subjects. These conflicting attitudes influenced the representation of deities intentionally made all'antica, often resulting in an interweaving of classical and nonclassical elements that is alien to the original, ancient sources. The study, the first devoted to this problem, highlights how problematic it was during the Cinquecento to display and receive images of pagan gods, whether shaped by ancient or contemporary artists. It offers new insights into the uneven absorption of the classical heritage during the early modern era."--BOOK JACKET In this book, Luba Freedman examines the revival of the twelve Olympian deities in the visual arts of sixteenth-century Italy. This study highlights how problematic it was during the Cinquecento to display and receive images of pagan gods, whether shaped by ancient or contemporary artists.