Renaissance Research Articles

Proto-Early Renaissance Depictions, Iconographic Analysis and Computerised Facial Similarity Assessment Connections: The 16th Century Mural Paintings of St. Leocadia Church (Chaves, North of Portugal)

The aim of this paper is to analyse facial similarity and apply it to identify the individuals depicted in the mural paintings of the apse of St. Leocadia Church, located in Chaves Municipality (North of Portugal), which were painted during the first quarter of the 16th century. This study also compares the portraits of this mural paintings with the oil paintings by the Proto-Renaissance Portuguese painter Nuno Gonçalves. Through this research, the feasibility of face recognition technology is explored to answer many ambiguities about Manueline stylistic identity and iconography. Additionally, it aims to associate historical events, artistic discoveries, and the expansion of portraiture as propaganda of power during the Portuguese Proto-Renaissance and Early Renaissance. On the other hand, it focuses on the prevalence of the religious and devotional over the sacred in Manueline painting. A proposal was made to identify the characters that are fundamental to the meaning of the mural paintings. An experiment was conducted on seven characters from the paintings at St. Leocadia Church, which were then compared to Nuno Gonçalves’ portraits. Facial similarity analysis was conducted on the faces portrayed in the Panels of St. Vincent, a remarkable portrait gallery from 15th-century Portugal, which has been the subject of national and international research for 130 years. Other paintings that were analysed were the oil paintings of St. Peter and St. Paul and of Infanta St. Joana, which were created by the same Quattrocento master. The purpose of the mural paintings of St. Leocadia Church could be catechetical in nature or related to the ritual practices of royal ancestor worship in royal portrait apses of the churches. It could also be associated with the Portuguese maritime expansion and the macro-imperial ideology of D. Manuel I.

Эволюция представлений о вегетативной дисфункции (обзор)

The article presents a review of literature data on the evolution ofconcepts of the structure and functions of the nervous system including the phases of development of the general theory of pathology and pathology of the autonomic nervous system in particular.
 The phases of understanding the role of the autonomic nervous system in human life and its connection to mental processes have been traced. Throughout the process of understanding somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, from primitive ideas of thinkers of the ancient Rome and the Renaissance era to Ehrenburg's discovery of nerve cells in 1833, dialectical correspondence to philosophical laws of cognition ofthe world can be observed. This is further confirmed by deep theories on functional pathology, adaptive-trophic function of the nervous system, integration of neuro-humoral systems, adaptation syndrome, higher nervous activitytheory, adaptation theory, and systemic organization of functions.

Analisis Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Islam Abad Pertengahan dan Penetrasinya terhadap Renaisans di Eropa

Purpose − This research aims to understand the state of Europe before the Renaissance, describe the process of the Renaissance, and analyze the penetration of Islamic education to the Renaissance movement in Europe.
 Method − This research is qualitative type with a library research approach. Where research was carried out by collecting, reading and reviewing books related to the analysis of Islamic educational leadership and its penetration into the renaissance in Europe. The analysis techniques in collecting data for this research are data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions using a historical approach.
 Findings − The results of this study describe the condition of Europeans before the renaissance, the process of the renaissance, and the analysis of the contribution of Islamic education to the renaissance movement in Europe. The condition of Europe before the Renaissance experienced dark ages, moral degradation, and ignorance (dark ages). The dark ages of Europeans can be seen from economic, political, socio-cultural, and religious aspects. The process of the renaissance was motivated by the Muslims who occupied the Andalusian region (Spain) in 771 AD under the caliphate of the Umawid State, namely Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik and the governor of North Africa Musa bin Nushair and commanders Tharif bin Malik and Thariq bin Ziyad. Andalusia (Spain) developed under the leadership of the Umawid State and the Abbasid State which carved a glorious civilization. Muslim scientists were born, one of which was Ibn Rushd, for his thoughts was born the bluff of Averroeism. The Renaissance first appeared in Italy by the bourgeoisie and the word renaissance was first introduced in France by Jules Michelet and popularized by Jacob Burckhardt. On the other hand, the renaissance also began with the Rusydian movement (students of Ibn Rushd) from among the Westerners themselves, among them Musa Ibn Maimun and Siger de Barbant. The contribution of Islamic Education to the renaissance can be seen from the existing education system or level of education such as, kuttab, mosque, book translation center and library. Where it made a long-term contribution to the renaissance process.

«Бьюти-пространство» Боттичелли, поп-арт и гностики (к вопросу о становлении классического искусства)

<p>The article continues the series of publications by the author on the art of the Renaissance and the work of Botticelli. The author's concept of “classical art” allows us to establish closer connections with subsequent stages of artistic development, as well as with the Early Renaissance. The multi-level structure of Botticelli’s art and the “collage” nature of his works are substantiated. The “universality” of the classics correlates with the gaming strategies of Neoplatonism and Gnosticism. The features that bring the intellectual culture of the Renaissance closer to modern scientific and artistic trends are revealed. New contexts and parallels (Michael Psellus, Honore de Balzac, Arthur Schopenhauer, Alois Riegl, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein) allow us to re-evaluate the transformation of the Neoplatonic tradition in European culture. The author rejects rigid interpretations of Gnosticism and Neoplatonism in connection with the work of Botticelli, preferring an “aesthetic” or “poetic” reading. Within the framework of this essentially psychological approach, the author draws attention to the problem of “presence” (“life-likeness”), characteristic of both medieval and modern art. Social issues of interpretation of classical art are touched upon in the article in connection with elements of elitism in the culture of the Medici circle. The concept of “poetry”, developed by Petrarch and Boccaccio and going back to ancient prototypes, is fully consistent with this type of “court” culture, which played a decisive role in the development of classical art. The "decadence" of the late Quattrocento and the work of Botticelli as its highest expression were thus the result of very complex intellectual strategies that were continued during the High Renaissance and Mannerism. Particular attention in the article is paid to the revision of the usual views on the historiography of the Renaissance, the actualization of classical art historical concepts. The article returns to the problem of the origins of the semiotic concept of art. Pragmatism and the “irrational” concept of art (appealing to the unconscious) turn out to be quite compatible, that has particular theoretical significance for the revaluation of conventional approaches to the classical heritage.</p>

GENESIS AND CONCEPTUALISATION OF PHILOSOPHICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN THE IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF THE 19th CENTURY

The author of the paper proves the thesis that the most fundamentally significant anthropic turn in the understanding of man in philosophy occurred (contrary to the widespread point of view) not in the Renaissance epoch, but in the 19th century. This thesis is demonstrated by constructing models of worldviews of historical epochs in European culture and philosophy. The paper demonstrates that the Renaissance era was the most important step towards anthropocentrism on the path of “deification” of man in a number of very influential philosophical teachings of the 19th century. This approach makes it possible to determine the content and typological positions in the history of culture – the essential characteristics of the relationship between philosophy, science and religion, which is significant for modern historical and philosophical research. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the development of philosophical thought about man and his place in the world, in the history of philosophy.

Reception of the “Dostoevsky myth” in the philosophical works of N.A. Berdyaev and V.I. Ivanova

INTRODUCTION. The work is devoted to the consideration of the characteristics of the artistic anthropology reception by F.M. Dostoevsky in the philosophical works of thinkers of the “Russian religious renaissance”. The relevance of this issue formulation lies in the broad research interest in the interdisciplinary study of Dostoevsky’s work at the intersection of literary studies, philosophy, and culturology; in the active appeal of modern literary scholars and philosophers to the issues of Dostoevsky’s “presence” in the culture of the 20th century; as well as the significance of the philosophical discoveries of N.A/ Berdyaev and V.I. Ivanov for the study of Dostoevsky’s artistic philosophy. The scientific problem lies in the very depth of the influence of Dostoevsky’s philosophical worldview on the literature and philosophy of the subsequent century, which has not yet been fully clarified. The purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the main features of the reception of Dostoevsky’s artistic anthropology in the philosophical works of N.A. Berdyaev and V.I. Ivanov.MATERIALS AND METHODS. We turn to the object of study – the philosophical work of N. Berdyaev and V. Ivanov, inscribed in the context of the reception of the “Dostoevsky myth”, relying on intertextual and historical-genetic methods in the context of a general hermeneutic approach.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. F.M. Dostoevsky with all his artistic and journalistic creativity made a shift in the understanding of human, in his works a new approach to artistic anthropology was implemented, which assigned a very special place to human. As we can see, in his anthropocentric worldview, Dostoevsky provides a philosophical synthesis of the absoluteness of the individual personality and the prin-ciple of the spiritual unity of all people. The era of the Russian religious renaissance played a unique role in the history of the reception of Dostoevsky’s artistic discoveries and philosophical intuitions.CONCLUSION. F.M. Dostoevsky was, as N.A. Berdyaev, A.F. Losev, D.S. Merezhkovsky believed, the spiritual primary source of thought of the entire Silver Age, which rose “under the sign” of Dostoevsky, since it was he who forcefully actualized the world of apocalyptic self-division of human. Anthropodicy of N.A. Berdyaev is immersed in a special eschatological atmosphere, in which the philosopher turns to the writer’s work. In the interpretation of V.I. Ivanov Dostoevsky’s mystical realism reveals the eternal “tragedy of the spirit” playing out between the divine and created principles in human.

Expanding Eurocentric Narratives of International Relations through Conservative Cooperation

Since the mid-1990s, critical International Relations (IR) scholars have increasingly drawn on postcolonial studies to call for opening up IR. However, it has turned out to be a more challenging task than initially imagined. It requires insight into the reasons behind the differences between the forms of national IR and the implications of such variation for our understanding of the international. Such differences need inquiring into by treating those from outside North America and Western Europe as thinking actors and paying attention to their accounts of the international. Eurocentrism occurs when research is designed in a way that occludes the global theory by drawing a direct line from ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe to modern day ‘West’ with next-to-no sociological insight into ‘connected histories’ of societies. Over the years, methodological Eurocentrism has produced a particular narrative about Europe’s place in world history. Thus, Eurocentric narratives have allowed designing research by virtue of the persistence of concepts that have been informed by the very same narratives. The critical point being, the very concepts through which we make sense of world politics (such as state, development, sovereignty and security) have their limitations not only when transplanted to other parts of the world but also when studying ‘Europe’ itself.

RHYTHMS OF LIBERATION: TRACING THE DANCE OF EMANCIPATION THROUGH HISTORY

The role of dance as a transformative medium for women’s emancipation, tracing its evolution from the Renaissance period to contemporary times. is a topic that necessitates a broad, multidisciplinary analysis. Dance is presented not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a powerful instrument for social change and gender equality. Through historical analysis, the study highlights how dance has facilitated women’s ability to express their identities, challenge patriarchal norms, and advocate for their rights across various epochs. The research underscores significant contributions by key figures and movements that have used dance as a platform for signalling shifts in societal attitudes towards women’s roles and freedoms. By drawing on the works of scholars such as Goldman (2010) on improvisational dance, Hahn (2013) on the role of creative arts in education and social change, Camp (2002) on dance as a form of resistance among enslaved women, and Åhäll (2016) on feminist security studies, the paper elucidates dance’s multifaceted impact on women’s liberation. From the sophisticated court dances of the Renaissance that reflected societal and cultural shifts to the expressive and boundary-pushing performances of the 19th and 20th centuries, dance emerged as a dynamic force in advocating for women’s emancipation. The conclusion reaffirms dance’s ongoing relevance as a medium through which contemporary women continue to explore their identities, challenge existing norms, and promote feminist values, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on gender equality and empowerment.

Amanda Luyster, ed. Bringing the Holy Land Home: The Crusades, Chertsey Abbey, and the Reconstruction of a Medieval Masterpiece Studies in Medieval and Early Renaissance Art History. New York: Harvey Miller, 2023. Pp. 376. $125.00 (cloth).

Amanda Luyster, ed. Bringing the Holy Land Home: The Crusades, Chertsey Abbey, and the Reconstruction of a Medieval Masterpiece Studies in Medieval and Early Renaissance Art History. New York: Harvey Miller, 2023. Pp. 376. $125.00 (cloth).

Trends in Soil Science over the Past Three Decades (1992–2022) Based on the Scientometric Analysis of 39 Soil Science Journals

As one of the basic disciplines of agricultural, natural resource, and environmental science, soil science has played a critical role in global food security and socio-economic and ecological sustainability. The number of soil science journals and publications has increased remarkably with the development of soil science. However, there is a lack of systematic and comprehensive studies on the developmental trends of soil science based on journals and publications. In this study, 39 journals included under the soil science category in the 2022 Journal Citation Reports, and 112,911 publications in these journals from 1992 to 2022 were subjected to scientometric/bibliometric analysis to determine trends in publication, journal metrics, co-authorship, and research topics, in addition to general journal information. The results show that soil science ushered in a renaissance period with the number of publications, citations, impact factors, and CiteScore demonstrating an increasing trend. America and the Chinese Academy of Sciences had the most publications and citations. The most productive author published more than 400 articles. Soil science research focused mostly on its fundamental impact on the ecological environment based on the strongest citation bursts analysis of keywords. The analysis indicated that open access has increased in popularity. Current soil science journals still face a few common challenges, including an urgent need for a fairer evaluation mechanism on journal quality compared to the traditional use of single metrics as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the whole editorial process. Artificial intelligence may bring new tools and more changes to the development of soil science. This study will help soil science researchers to better understand the development status and future trends of soil science. It will also guide authors in journal selection.

The review of the monograph "Ambroise Paré. The first surgeon of the Kingdom" by E. E. Berger

The review considers the approach placing famous French surgeon A. Paré into more general European context of European Renaissance of XVI century and into local context of intellectual life of Paris of this period. The refutation of widespread in history of medicine opinion about strict separation of university medicine from artisan surgery in Medieval Europe is discussed.

Two albums of drawings by Lombard masters of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, from the estate of the Clary-Aldringen family

Abstract Two albums of drawings by Lombard masters of the Renaissance period (sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries), the contents of which are now in museums in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, constitute one of the most valuable collections of drawings preserved in Bohemia from the seventeenth century. Apparently originally the property of Antonio Maria Viani (1555/60–1630), it remains impossible to identify with certainty who collected the drawings at some time before 1676 and pasted them into the two albums, or how they came to be in the possession of the Clary-Aldringen family, from whose hands they eventually passed into public ownership. The aim of this article is to trace the records of this extraordinary collection in the possession of the Clary-Aldringen family since 1676, and its fate after 1945. While one of the albums was later dismembered and the constituent drawings were variously treated, we have been able to trace almost the whole of this collection.

Bishop John Vitez and Early Renaissance Central Europe: The Humanist Kingmaker, by Tomislav Matić

Bishop John Vitez and Early Renaissance Central Europe: The Humanist Kingmaker, by Tomislav Matić

Curriculum and Pedagogy in Indian Knowledge System: A Relevance Educational Practice for Today's Educational Scenario

India has had a rich tradition of education and learning since ancient times, especially during the Renaissance period, which was the golden age of Indian culture. The principle of karma holds great importance in the Indian education system and has evolved during the transition. The four Vedas, namely, Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda were configured through ideals, practices and conduct. In the Vedic period, two methods of teaching were prevalent, first, the oral/verbal method, and second, the method based on thinking (contemplation). Bloom's taxonomy defines three domains: learning, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. Ancient education systems are also based on three domains, developing higher- order learning by building lower-level cognitive skills. Ancient to modern education. The current Higher Education 2020 also suggests a multidisciplinary approach on similar lines. The Vedic period saw teaching being student-centred. Listening, understanding and discussion method of oral work, reasoning used gave rise to generalization and application of knowledge. Santiniketan which follows the philosophy of Naturalism in its curricular dealings. Many other experiments of Gurukul's system are being explored in different parts of the country. It becomes imperative that we learn from our past and adopt ways of designing our curriculum and pedagogy to meaningfully address societal needs. What are the academic subjects from the past that can be included in the present day curriculum? How can the curriculum be based on Indian teachings? What instructional strategies can be integrated from the past? Through the answers to these questions, we can prepare better citizens for an advanced society by introducing an educational practice relevant to today's educational scenario. Because in ancient times, educational practices included such subjects which have relevance even today.

Excavation of Hushed Voices: A Spatio-temporal Imaginary Discourse on Socio-ethics in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day

The concept of the ‘Great Chain of Being’, which influences the narrative style of the Renaissance Period of English Literature, depicts the hierarchical state of the old English Society. Suggestively, it’s a society driven by class/status and its attendant structures of inequality, discrimination and oppression. Hence, literary narratives of this period revolve round the travails of Kings and nobles, while subjecting the common men to the background. Subsequently, the esoteric state of the society, which was usually captured from the third person point of view, helps to question the place of truth in these literary narratives, as they could be liken to glossary reports from spectators, devoid of participant’ direct contribution(s). However, with the writing(s) of Kazuo Ishiguro, an Asian-British, there comes a direct feel of participant’s contribution in his narratives as he deconstructs the style of the old traditional English narratives in his novel, The Remains of the Day. Consequently, with the application of the first-person point of view in his novel, readers could explore the socio-cultural dispositions of every society and individual within the purview of ethics, politics and development. In furtherance, this study gives a historicized spatial alternate or temporal reality of an Old English society system - a system anchored on classism, professionalism and superficial orderliness devoid of ‘social interactions’ and freedom, especially for the workmen or common men. The emergence of an American Lord after the death of the English Lord gives a contrastive alternative pattern against that of the English. Hence, this alternate reflection of the American presence further deconstructs every long-held tradition in Darlington’s Hall as the author reveals that perceptions are influenced by cultural ingenuity which borders on the socio-cultural/socio-political formation of every society and individuals.

Perfection as a value-regulatory principle of ethics of humanism and Renaissance culture of the 14th-16th centuries

The article presents and systematizes the fundamental concepts of a philosophical approach to the human perfection in the European spiritual culture of the 14th-16th centuries, namely, in the philosophical pursuits during the period of the Italian Renaissance and the establishment of civic humanism. The research is focused on the basic trends in the inception of the idea of human perfection as well as on its characteristics. Under the analysis are the essential traits of the philosophy of man in the treatises of a number of distinguished thinkers of the period of European Renaissance of the 14th-16th centuries. The article argues that the issues of the free will, natural structure, harmony as well as individual and social dialectics are indicative of a broad spectrum of the Philosophy of Man in the spiritual culture of the 14th-16th centuries. These issues point to the emergence and moulding of a social person, a citizen and a legal entity.
 A special emphasis in the research is laid on the importance and the need to seek the standards and ideals of human life and to provide a philosophical and ethical search for the implementation of the principles of human life and the revival of the standards of human perfection in its universal ascension to the ultimate truths.
 The author offers his own assessment of the formation and development of the issues related to a perfectly wise human being. The concusions are drawn pertaining to the evolution of the philosophy of man in the spiritual culture of the 14th-16th centuries.
 The author comes to the conclusion that, in general, the divine in human nature and man in the divine continuum in all the beauty of self-expression and harmony is one of the main elements of philosophical reflections on perfection as a valuable universe of humanistic ethics. Perfection as an invariant function of a person’s self-regulation in a degree comparison received much less development next to the ethical-aesthetic and spiritual foundations of the formation, development and regeneration of the Renaissance man.
 As a spiritual-intellectual, aesthetic, psychological complex, humanism was characteristic of the worldview and worldview of certain strata of society, in which the principle of perfection was a practical-humanistic regulatory-value principle. The function of theoretical internalization of the person in the philosophy of humanism undoubtedly had a place. The problems of free will, natural organization, harmony, the dialectic of the individual and the social testify to a wide range of intra-subjective philosophical analysis in the systems of the 11th and 11th centuries, and, at the same time, philosophical and ethical searches were aimed at realizing the principles of human life, on the revival of standards of human perfection in his universal ascent to higher truths.

Fermenting the future - on the benefits of a bioart collaboration.

In this article we explore the intersection of science and art through a collaboration between us scientists and the bioartists Anna Dimitriu and Alex May, focusing on the interface of yeast biotechnology and art. The collaboration, originally initiated in 2018, resulted in three major artworks: CULTURE, depicting the evolution of yeast and human societies; FERMENTING FUTURES, illustrating a synthetic autotrophic yeast and its link to lactic acid production; and WOOD SPIRIT-AMBER ACID, inspired by the VIVALDI project targeting CO2 reduction to methanol. We emphasize the reciprocal nature of the collaboration, detailing the scientific insights gained and the impact of artistic perspectives on us as researchers. We also highlight the historical connection between art and science, particularly in the Renaissance periods, and underscore the educational value of integrating art into science not only to support public engagement and science dissemination, but also to widen our own perceptions in our research.

A Study of the Contract Spirit in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

As a famous playwright and one of the most remarkable literary figures in Britain and the world, Shakespeare is the master of humanist literature in the European Renaissance. The Merchant of Venice is one of his the most representative of works. In this play, a conflict arose from different laws: that is Roman law and Christian law. Shakespeare depicts two laws together perfectly. The spirit of contract and Shakespeare’s humanist ideas are profoundly reflected throughout the play. Shakespeare achieved his desired humanist sentiment while complying with the social and legal system of Venice. The spirit of contract plays quite an important role in social relations. This paper will explore the spirit of contract from three aspects in The Merchant of Venice: family relationships, individual relationships, and societal and individual relationships. It aims to analyze the essence of Shakespeare’s contract spirit, understand the Western countries in the dialectical way and recognize the spiritual essence of Western people.

Bridging Cultures: Unveiling the Aesthetic Nuances in He Zhanhaos 'The Butterfly Lovers' Guzheng Concerto Score

The 1950s marked a period of China's opening up and reform, which is also considered the "Renaissance Era" of modern Chinese music. Chinese musicians began to experiment with blending traditional ethnic music with elements of modern music. Simultaneously, as a result of economic and cultural exchanges and development, the Western music system gradually entered China, providing Chinese musicians with more inspiration and creative material. In this context, He Zhanhao and Chen Gang composed the Guzheng Concerto "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai." This concerto represents the fusion of Chinese ethnic music into symphonic music, reflecting the development and transformation of Chinese ethnic music in the process of modernization. It also offers a new pathway for people worldwide to understand and appreciate classical Chinese music. Ethnic music reflects the history, culture, and way of life of a nation. By studying the fusion of Eastern and Western elements and the aesthetic characteristics of the "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" concerto, Observing the evolution and diversity of ethnic music culture enriches understanding, offering profound insights into its significant cultural and societal importance.

Characterization of photoluminescent and Raman properties of ultramarine blue pigment variants with a novel multimodal approach

Ultramarine Blue (UB) pigment, derived from lapis lazuli, holds a significant place in the history of late medieval and Renaissance Europe, owing to its unusually bright colour and stability. Its prohibitive price, which equalled that of gold, meant that it was only used by estimated artists. In this work we present a non-invasive, multimodal approach to the characterization of the photoluminescent properties of different variants of the pigment. The ultimate goal of this research is to propose a protocol for the identification of UB in artworks thanks to the combination of Raman spectroscopy and time resolved-photoluminescence spectroscopy and imaging.