Act. 1.3 Rediscovering the Classical Tradition through art
Roman copy of Myron’s Discobolus, marble sculpture It shows a man throwing a discus. It was probably made to celebrate the achievement, perhaps an Olympic victory, of a famous athlete The figure is presented at a point of perfect balance in the middle of a powerful action. The balanced pose and calm face make it look easy to do something difficult. His strong, defined body is carefully arranged to make simple and harmonious shapes. He represents an ideal for the man in Greek society. This particular statue is a copy made in marble by the Romans, who greatly admired Greek culture. The original statue would have been cast in bronze.
Narthex Tympanum, A.D. 1120, sculpture This sculpture was made to fit into an arching space, called a tympanum, over the entrance doors to a church in France. The figure in the center is Jesus, who is sending his apostles, the men in groups on either side of him, all over the world to preach. The figures in the little scenes around them are people all over the world waiting for the preachers. The most important figure, Jesus, is the largest, and is at the center. Bodies were not important and artists did not try to make them look real. The artist wanted to make a beautiful pattern on the flat stone that would also fit into the arch, and he wanted to convey a religious meaning.
The School of Athens, Raphael, A.D. 1510, painting This painting was made to decorate one whole wall of a room in the palace of the pope in Rome. The great thinkers of ancient Greece are shown here as if they had gathered to discus their ideas. Each figure gestures and actively moves, talking, and interacting with other figures. Their gestures and expressions show us how important their ideas are to them. The men meet in a large, open building decorated with sculptures and covered with huge arches to frame the two most important philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, who stand at the center of the painting. The building recalls the architecture of classical antiquity and uses perspective to create deep space. Women were not permitted to participate in discussions about philosophy at this time, so the painting includes only men.
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Madonna and Child with Two Angels Artist: Filippo Lippi Year: c. A.D. 1406
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Bathing Venus Artist: Roman Artist Year: c. 3 rd century B.C.
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Venus and Adonis Artist: Titian Year: c. A.D. 1550
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Madonna and Child in Majesty Artist: Cimabue Year: c. A.D. 1280
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Grave Stele of Hegeso Artist: Greek Artist Year: c. 400 B.C.
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Bayeux Tapestry Artist: A group of French women from Bayeux Year: A.D *It tells the history of the invasion of England by the Norman French king William the Conqueror in A.D
Period: ClassicalMedievalRenaissance Title: Pieta Artist: Michelangelo Year: c. A.D *It was made for a cardinal’s tomb in St. Peter’s Church in Rome.