in what ways did pope julius ii affect the course of sixteenth century art

by Conrad Haley 7 min read

Julius II changed the history of Italy with his policies and had a dramatic impact on the Renaissance. He was a great patron of the arts and personally commissioned many great masterpieces. During his time as pope, Julius II contained the Venice's, ended the role of the Borgias in Rome, but failed to drive the French from Italy.

In what ways did Pope Julius II affect the course of 16th-century art? Pope Julius II was fully aware of the power of visual imagery. -Thus, he commissioned artworks that had such effect (reinforcing Catholic Church).

Full Answer

How did Pope Julius II influence the history of Art?

These are three of the most important works of art and architecture in the history of art, so thank you Pope Julius II! Like many patrons of the time, Julius was motivated by a mixture of vanity, pride, passion for the arts, and religious piety, and was even known to threaten artists if the work was not completed on time.

What did Pope Julius II do during the Renaissance?

Pope Julius II was head of the Catholic Church from 1503-1513, at the height of the period of artistic and social development known as the Renaissance. During the Renaissance, the rich and powerful displayed their wealth, power, and also benevolence by commissioning great works of art.

What do you think about European art in the 16th century?

Europe in the 16th century was one of those times when art was flourishing, and it really came back to the wealthy and powerful people with an appreciation for great art. So, what do you say?

What is the significance of the sixteenth century Catholic Popes?

The Roman Catholic Popes of the sixteenth century reigned during the time of the Protestant Reformation, a critical time in the history of the church. The first number is which pope they were in the line from Saint Peter. Learn about their significant contributions.

What ways did Pope Julius 2 influence this art movement?

During his reign, Julius II utilized his iconic status to his advantage, displaying his interest in the arts by placing himself on medals, emblems, and by commissioning specific artworks containing his image. Choosing to commission objects such as medals or coins is quite different from, having a portrait created.

How did Pope Julius II contribute to the Renaissance?

Peter's Basilica (1506-1626), to be designed initially by Donato Bramante (1444-1514). With the decline of the Florentine Renaissance, Julius ensured that Rome would become the location for all new developments in High Renaissance painting as well as advances in Renaissance architecture.

What is Pope Julius II known for?

Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere, b. 1443–d. 1513, pope 1503–1513) is best known as the “warrior pope” who used warfare to accomplish his ends of gaining control of the Papal States after the alienation of sections to Cesare Borgia, the incursions and confiscation of the Venetians, and the rebellion of local lords.

Who was the most important patron of the arts in sixteenth century Italy?

Pope Julius IIIn Italy, the Catholic Church continued commissioning art, but Pope Julius II helped establish the High Renaissance in his extensive patronage of the greatest Italian masters. Venice dedicated itself to commissioning art, and became one of the major artistic cities in Italy.

What did the Pope do during the Renaissance?

Inspired by imperial Rome, the Renaissance popes strove to make Rome the capital of Christendom through art, architecture and literature. Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, they commissioned building and art projects and hired the best architects and artists, such as Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

What are some of the ways in which the Pope influenced the development of Italian Renaissance art?

Art and architecture Pope Sixtus IV initiated a major drive to redesign and rebuild Rome, widening the streets and destroying the crumbling ruins, commissioning the Sistine Chapel, and summoning many artists from other Italian city-states. Pope Nicholas V founded the Vatican Library.

Which pope was the greatest patron of the arts?

Julius IIJulius II, original name Giuliano della Rovere, (born Dec. 5, 1443, Albisola, Republic of Genoa—died Feb. 21, 1513, Rome), greatest art patron of the papal line (reigned 1503–13) and one of the most powerful rulers of his age.

What was the theme of Julius II Library and why was this theme chosen?

The Stanza della Segnatura was Julius II's library, and the frescoes Raphael executed there illustrate the themes of theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, and poetry, themes that reflect the content of the pope's books. Raphael's decoration of the stanze continued under Julius's successor, Leo X (r. 1513–21).

Who painted the Sistine Chapel?

MichelangeloSistine Chapel ceiling / ArtistMichelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known simply as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance. Wikipedia

How did Renaissance princes contribute to the world of art?

These princes established their own courts and hired painters or sculptors to be the official court artists. Besides these princes, Italy was also filling up with wealthy merchants and bankers that developed personal fortunes from a lucrative market of international trade.

What is the 16th century art?

European art of the 16th century was marked by the spread of Renaissance culture and ideas from Italy through the rest of the continent, resulting in a number of new styles. The High Renaissance(roughly the first two decades of the 16th century) and Mannerism are the movements most often associated with this period.

Who influenced the Renaissance the most?

The civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome were rediscovered, inspiring an interest in Classical learning which challenged medieval beliefs and ideas. The population was becoming wealthier which led to an increase in trade and travel and the spread of new ideas.

Which Pope was the greatest patron of the arts?

Julius IIJulius II, original name Giuliano della Rovere, (born Dec. 5, 1443, Albisola, Republic of Genoa—died Feb. 21, 1513, Rome), greatest art patron of the papal line (reigned 1503–13) and one of the most powerful rulers of his age.

Who were the three masters of the High Renaissance?

Three great masters–Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael–dominated the period known as the High Renaissance, which lasted roughly from the early 1490s until the sack of Rome by the troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Spain in 1527.

Which of the Renaissance artist do you think was the most talented and why?

1. Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci is probably the best-known Renaissance artist, famous for his masterworks The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. The classic “Renaissance man,” da Vinci was not only an artist but also an inventor, scientist, architect, and engineer.

What artist is considered the first Renaissance painter?

Many cite Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, started in 1495 and completed in 1498, as being the first work of the High Renaissance.

What was the name of the Pope who was known as the “Il terrible”?

Nicknamed “Il terrible” by his contemporaries and the “Warrior Pope” by historians, Julius II’s early sixteenth-century pontificate marked a notable political and militaristic expansion of the papacy.

When did the Pragmatic Sanction come into effect?

The Pragmatic Sanction had gone into effect during the conciliar controversy when, in 1438 , France accepted the Council of Basel’s decrees concerning secular sovereignty over national churches, yet without supporting the council’s deposing of the pope.

Who was Pope Julius II?

Pope Julius II was the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV and, because of this family connection, he moved around among a lot of different positions of power and authority within the Roman Catholic Church—eventually holding some eight bishoprics in total and then later serving as papal legate to France.

What was Pope Pius IV's main action?

Born: Giovanni Angelo Medici. One of the most important actions taken by Pope Pius IV was to reconvene the Council of Trent on January 18, 1562 , which had been suspended ten years earlier. Once the Council had reached its final decisions in 1563, Pius then worked to make sure that its decrees were spread across the Catholic world.

How did Pius V help the Inquisition?

Internally, he cut expenditures and externally, he increased the power and effectiveness of the Inquisition and expanded the use of the Index of Forbidden Books. He was canonized 150 years later.

What was Paul IV's role in the Inquisition?

While in office, Paul IV used his position both to promote Italian nationalism and to further strengthen the powers of the Inquisition.

What was the most important political event during Clement VIII's papacy?

Born: Ippolito Aldobrandini. The most important political event during Clement VIII's papacy was his reconciliation with Henry IV of France when Clement recognized the latter as King of France in 1595, braving Spanish displeasure and ending thirty years of religious war in France.

What was Martin Luther's response to church excesses?

It was during his reign that Martin Luther felt forced to react to certain church excesses—in particular, excesses for which Leo himself was responsible. Leo engaged is massive construction campaigns, expensive military campaigns, and huge personal extravagance, all of which led the Church into deep debt.

Why did Charles V establish the Index of Forbidden Books?

He established the Index of Forbidden Books as part of the effort to shield Catholics from heretical views.

How long was Julius II Pope?

Giuliano Della Rovere thenceforth took the name of his fourth-century predecessor, Julius I, and was pope for nine years, from 1503 to 1513. From the beginning, Julius II set out to defeat the various powers that challenged his temporal authority; in a series of complicated stratagems, he first succeeded in rendering it impossible for the Borgias to retain their power over the Papal States. Indeed, on the day of his election, he declared:

What was Julius II's interest in the New World?

The interests of Julius II lay also in the New World as he ratified the Treaty of Tordesillas, establishing the first bishoprics in the Americas and beginning the catholicization of Latin America. In 1508, he commissioned the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo 's paintings in the Sistine Chapel .

How did Della Rovere influence the election of Pope Pius III?

In spite of a violent temper della Rovere succeeded by dexterous diplomacy in winning the support of Cesare Borgia, whom he won over by his promise of money and continued papal backing for Borgia policies in the Romagna. This election was, in Ludwig von Pastor's view, certainly achieved by means of bribery with money, but also with promises. "Giuliano, whom the popular voice seemed to indicate as the only possible pope, was as unscrupulous as any of his colleagues in the means which he employed. Where promises and persuasions were unavailing, he did not hesitate to have recourse to bribery." Indeed, his election on 1 November 1503 took only a few hours, and the only two votes he did not receive were his own and the one of Georges d'Amboise, his most vigorous opponent and the favourite of the French monarchy. In the end, as in all papal elections, the vote is made unanimous after the leading candidate has achieved the required number of votes for election.

What was the name of the Italian kingdom that was recognized as a papal fief?

The Kingdom of Naples was recognized as a papal fief. The Venetians regained their territories lost to France, and the Papal States annexed Parma and Modena. The conciliarist movement promoted by foreign monarchs was crushed, and Julius II affirmed ultramontanism at the Fifth Lateran Council. This is often presented in traditional historiography as the moment in which Renaissance Italy came the closest to unification after the end of the Italic League of the 15th century. However, Julius II was far away from the possibility to form a single Italian kingdom, if that was his goal at all, since foreign armies were largely involved in his wars and the French were preparing new campaigns against the Swiss for Milan. Naples, even if recognized as a papal fief, was still under Spain and in fact Julius II was planning to end Spanish presence in the south. Nevertheless, by the end of his pontificate, the papal objective to make the Church the main force in the Italian Wars was achieved. At the Roman Carnival of 1513, Julius II presented himself as the "liberator of Italy".

Why did Pope Julius II have a beard?

However, the pope only wore his beard from 27 June 1511 to March 1512, as a sign of mourning at the loss of the city of Bologna by the Papal States. He was nevertheless the first pope since antiquity to grow facial hair, a practice otherwise forbidden by canon law since the 13th century. The pope's hirsute chin may have raised severe, even vulgar criticism, as at one Bologna banquet held in 1510 at which papal legate Marco Cornaro was present. In overturning the ban on beards Pope Julius challenged Gregorian conventional wisdom in dangerous times. Julius shaved his beard again before his death, and his immediate successors were clean-shaven; nonetheless Pope Clement VII sported a beard when mourning the sack of Rome. Thenceforward, all popes were bearded until the death of Pope Innocent XII in 1700.

What did Julius II do?

In 1506, Julius II established the Vatican Museums and initiated the rebuilding of the St. Peter's Basilica. The same year he organized the famous Swiss Guards for his personal protection and commanded a successful campaign in Romagna against local lords. The interests of Julius II lay also in the New World as he ratified the Treaty of Tordesillas, establishing the first bishoprics in the Americas and beginning the catholicization of Latin America. In 1508, he commissioned the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo 's paintings in the Sistine Chapel .

Why was Julius II called the Warrior Pope?

One of the most powerful and influential popes, Julius II was a central figure of the High Renaissance and left a significant cultural and political legacy.

What did the largesse of the Renaissance do?

At any rate, his largesse gave a huge boost to architecture and fresco painting, as well as Renaissance sculpture in marble and bronze. His activities were imitated by other rulers across Italy, including other members of the Della Rovere family.

Who was the artist who came to Rome to paint the Vatican?

To do this he cajoled, persuaded and remonstrated with the greatest artists of the day to come to Rome and work for him. Raphael - arguably the finest exponent of High Renaissance painting - came to decorate the private papal apartments in the Vatican, known as the Stanze di Raffaello.

What did Michelangelo do after Julius II?

Note: Both Raphael and Michelangelo would continue to work on Vatican projects after the death of Julius II. Raphael designed cartoons for a set of tapestry art to cover the lowest tier of the Sistine Chapel's walls, for Pope Leo X (1513-1521); Michelangelo - in addition to working on Julius's tomb - returned to the Sistine Chapel to execute a mural for Pope Paul III (1534-1549) - known as the Last Judgment fresco - on the altar wall of the chapel following earlier plans drawn up by Pope Clement VII (1523-1534). The work was finished in 1541, almost exactly 29 years after his completion of the Genesis fresco on the ceiling. Due to the changing mood of the times - in 1527 Rome was sacked by French troops, while the schism between Catholicism and Protestantism increased tensions across the Continent - the two murals were painted in radically different styles. Where the Genesis fresco was an expression of High Renaissance confidence in man and the world, the Last Judgment exemplified the uncertainty of Mannerist painting with man caught between two destinies.

How long did Julius II reign?

Legacy. Julius II reigned as Pope for a mere 10 years, and yet his personality and drive helped to lay the foundation for a more resplendent and ultimately more powerful Rome. In some ways one could say he was the Roman equivalent of the Medici Family, whose patronage boosted the Renaissance in Florence.

How many bishops did Pope Sixtus IV have?

To this position - thanks to the power and patronage of his uncle - he added eight bishoprics and the archbishopric of Avignon.

Who was the Pope of Rome in the Renaissance?

A key figure of the Italian Renaissance and a dynamic patron of Renaissance art in Rome, Giuliano della Rovere (1453-1513) - better known as Pope Julius II (1503-13) - was the nephew of Francesco della Rovere (1414-84), who himself ruled as Pope Sixtus IV (1471-84). A formidable personality, Julius was determined to make the papacy ...

Who was the founder of the Italian Renaissance?

Initiated by Pope Julius II. Michelangelo. A key figure of the Italian Renaissance and a dynamic patron of Renaissance art in Rome, Giuliano della Rovere (1453-1513) - better known as Pope Julius II (1503-13) - was the nephew of Francesco della Rovere (1414-84), who himself ruled as Pope Sixtus IV (1471-84). A formidable personality, Julius was ...

Why was the Pope commissioned to do art?

In the Renaissance, commissioning art was often interpreted as giving a gift to the people of the city, since art uplifts and benefits all of society. Pope Julius was certainly trying to cultivate this image for himself as well. In fact, Pope Julius made sure that the public would recognize him and commissioned coins with his image, had himself included in major works of art, and even commissioned the great artist Raphael to complete a series of portraits of him.

Why was Pope Julius interested in preserving his own image?

Being a patron was seen as the mark of a great man, and Julius furthered this by creating parallels between the religious nature of the art he commissioned and his own piety.

Why did Pope Julius hire Michelangelo?

Pope Julius also hired Michelangelo to create a massive marble tomb for the Pope to be used after his death. This tomb not only displayed the desire of Pope Julius to immortalize his legacy, but also his tenacity and power. When Michelangelo abandoned the project after a quarrel with other artists in Rome, Pope Julius threatened to send the papal armies to lay siege to Michelangelo's home of Florence.

What is the most famous painting in the Vatican?

Michelangelo's most famous work from this commission is the Sistine Chapel, an enormous painting depicting scenes from the creation of the world through the Last Judgment that covers the entire ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, as well as a few walls.

Why was Pope Julius II important?

Scholars generally agree that Pope Julius' patronage was motivated by a desire to make the wealth and power of the Church obvious to everyone , an important message in an era characterized by continual warfare between European princes. By sponsoring expensive works of art, the wealth of the church was highly visible through statues, paintings, and architecture.

Who did Pope Julius II hire to paint the Sistine Chapel?

In terms of painting, Pope Julius hired Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel and Raphael to paint the Stanze della Segnatura. Pope Julius also commissioned Michelangelo to carve him a massive marble tomb and was even willing to attack the city of Florence to ensure that it was done. Pope Julius II was rich, powerful, and looking to immortalize his reputation. Art History 101: this is what the rich do to preserve their legacies.

Who designed the Vatican?

Pope Julius hired the architect Donato Bramante to redesign the basilica, partly because of Bramante's own reputation as a pious man of devout faith, a reputation Julius hoped would reflect onto the patron. Bramante's design fulfilled Pope Julius' hopes, forming a massive, extravagant, and awe-inspiring house of worship. Bramante's original designs were later altered by Michelangelo, giving it the form we see today.

Why was art a big deal in the 16th century?

Take that Protestants, and gracias to you, Spanish patrons! In the 16th century, art was a big deal. This is partly because there were some pretty great artists. It is also partly because there were people who were willing to commission art, patrons, who encouraged a culture of artistic appreciation across Europe.

Why did Spain not have a major role in European art before the 16th century?

Spain did not have a major role in European art before the 16th century because it was pretty unstable and had been fighting African Islamic armies for control of the peninsula. But in the 16th century, Spain became the center of the largest empire of the day, covering much of Europe as well as Latin and South America.

What did Julius II do for the Sistine Chapel?

Under Julius' patronage, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, Raphael painted the Stanze della Segnatura, and Bramante designed the version of the new Saint Peter's Basilica. These are three of the most important works of art and architecture in the history of art, so thank you Pope Julius II! Like many patrons of the time, Julius was motivated by a mixture of vanity, pride, passion for the arts, and religious piety, and was even known to threaten artists if the work was not completed on time. But hey, his persistence sure paid off.

How long did the Renaissance last?

Late Renaissance art, which lasted from roughly 1520 to 1600, was mostly supported by the city of Venice, which had just recently built itself into an art city on the scale of Florence. The city of Venice hired painters, sculptors, and architects, as did private patrons, to fill the city with art.

Why are prints so popular?

In Northern Europe, prints first became widely popular because they were affordable, and this region had a large middle class with expendable income. These people bought a lot of prints, giving printmakers the fame and freedom to develop their art. However, the rise of major printmakers, like Dürer, was also thanks to wealthy patrons, who were willing to pay a lot of money for a print, which was not really considered high art until the mid-15th to early-16th centuries. These patrons recognized the genius of the printmakers, and Dürer actually ended up being the first non-Italian artist of the century to become genuinely famous on an international scale.

What is artistic patronage?

Artistic patronage meant something special in Spain, which was the primary defender of the Catholic faith at a time when the emerging Protestant Reformation was challenging Catholicism across Europe. The Counter-Reformation was a major priority of Spanish kings and nobles, and they used their position as patrons to commission art that was passionately, devoutly Catholic. Take that Protestants, and gracias to you, Spanish patrons!

What was Europe like in the 16th century?

Europe in the 16th century was one of those times when art was flourishing, and it really came back to the wealthy and powerful people with an appreciation for great art.

Overview

Pope Julius II (Latin: Iulius II; Italian: Giulio II; born Giuliano della Rovere; 5 December 1443 – 21 February 1513) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1503 to his death in 1513. Nicknamed the Warrior Pope or the Fearsome Pope, he chose his papal name not in honour of Pope Julius I but in emulation of Julius Caesar. One of the most powerful and influential popes, …

Overview of the Italian politics of his reign

Julius II became pope in the context of the Italian Wars, a period in which the major powers of Europe fought for primacy in the Italian peninsula. Louis XII of France controlled the Duchy of Milan, previously held by the Sforzas, and French influence had replaced that of the Medici in the Republic of Florence. The Kingdom of Naples was under Spanish rule, and the Borja family from Spain wa…

Early life

Giuliano della Rovere Albisola was born near Savona in the Republic of Genoa. He was of the House of della Rovere, a noble but impoverished family, the son of Raffaello della Rovere and Theodora Manerola, a lady of Greek ancestry. He had three brothers: Bartolomeo, a Franciscan friar who then became Bishop of Ferrara (1474–1494); Leonardo; and Giovanni, Prefect of the City of Rome (1475–1501) and Prince of Sora and Senigallia. He also had a sister, Lucina (later the mother of …

Cardinalate

After his uncle was elected Pope Sixtus IV on 10 August 1471, Giuliano was appointed Bishop of Carpentras in the Comtat Venaissin on 16 October 1471. In an act of overt nepotism he was immediately raised to the cardinalate on 16 December 1471, and assigned the same titular church as that formerly held by his uncle, San Pietro in Vincoli. Guilty of serial simony and pluralism, he held sev…

Election

A veteran of the Sacred College, della Rovere had won influence for the election of Pope Pius III with the help of Florentine Ambassador to Naples, Lorenzo de' Medici. In spite of a violent temper della Rovere succeeded by dexterous diplomacy in winning the support of Cesare Borgia, whom he won over by his promise of money and continued papal backing for Borgia policies in the Romagna. This election was, in Ludwig von Pastor's view, certainly achieved by means of briber…

A Renaissance Pope

Giuliano Della Rovere took the name Julius, only used by a single fourth-century predecessor, Julius I, and was pope for nine years, from 1503 to 1513. From the beginning, Julius II set out to defeat the various powers that challenged his temporal authority; in a series of complicated stratagems, he first succeeded in rendering it impossible for the Borgias to retain their power over the Papal States. …

Death

On the Vigil of Pentecost in May 1512, Pope Julius, aware that he was seriously ill and that his health was failing, despite comments on the part of some cardinals about how well he looked, remarked to Paris de Grassis, "They are flattering me; I know better; my strength diminishes from day to day and I cannot live much longer. Therefore I beg you not to expect me at Vespers or a…

Legacy

In 1484 Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere had begun negotiations to persuade Marquis Francesco Gonzaga of Mantua to allow Andrea Mantegna to come to Rome, which finally bore fruit in 1488; Mantegna was given the commission to decorate the chapel of the Belvedere for Pope Innocent VIII, on which he spent two years.