In our first class of the Renaissance Art course, we had the opportunity to discuss the brief reading we had done before class. I was particularly interested in the concept of “period eye” that we touched on in class. I have never taken an art history course, so this was a new idea to me and one that I think will be of great importance and interest throughout the semester. Working to truly understand period eye seems like it is one of the greatest challenges and joys of studying art history, and I look forward to engaging with that work this semester. I also enjoyed our conversation about the meaning of the word “Renaissance,” particularly the implication that something had to have died in order for there to be a rebirth. I look forward to exploring the history and art of the time just before the Renaissance to examine what this “death” looked like and felt like, and then contrasting it with the work of the Renaissance to fully appreciate the innovation in art, technology, religion, and thinking of that time.