Art history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Art history - Essay ExampleCondottiere was the name given to the captain or leader who commanded a worldly-minded in the 14th and fifteenth century in Italy. The leader together with his mercenary engaged in fights in the Italian city-states on behalf of the contracting Papacy and the city-states. Thus, the word condottiere originated from condottiero meaning contractor. The mercenary worked with states directly fighting for them, and a fighting contract was signed with the highest bidder. Nevertheless, the contract bound them to a certain city or state with whom the contract was signed, except they moved from one lord or city to another, a game that was fatal for both parties. Additionally, some condottiere had their own small towns acquired through inheritance of conquer, for caseful, Attendolos who founded the Sforza family. In the Renaissance society, military skill was very expensive, but a wealthy city such as Venice was in a position to afford the serve of a condottiere an d his mercenary. Therefore, such wealthy cities hired military services only when needed, and this provided a way for them to spare its citizens from the horror and the rigors of war, and save on the cost of maintaining a standing military. Furthermore, the condottiere played a significant role in influencing the field of art as some of the greatest statues of all time in Italy were of the condottiere. An example of work of art that demonstrates the role of condottiere is Denatellos Equestrian Statue of Erasmo da Narni, referred to as Gattamelata.