Renaissance Art Ms. Stiles World Civilizations

Basic Features of Renaissance Art Classicism: –Respect for Greco-Roman art, literature, architecture & philosophy Ex: Michelangelo’s David Secularism: –Focuses on worldly ideas & topics instead of just religion –Seen more in the Northern Renaissance than in the Italian Renaissance Ex: Pieter Brueghel The Elder Hunters in the Snow

Basic Features of Renaissance Art Scholarship: –Dealing with reason, curiosity, and experimentation Ex: Raphael’s The School of Athens Individualism: –Showing the dignity & worth of individuals Ex: Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

Differences Between Medieval & Renaissance Art Medieval Art: –All art is a portrait or religiously based Usually portraits of rich or religious figures –Unscientific: No Shadows or depth Unrealistic figures –No free standing sculpture –No Nudes

Medieval Art Madonna & Child Giotto

Differences Between Renaissance Art & Medieval Art Renaissance Art: Variety of subjects –Doesn’t have to be religious or a portrait –Can be anything  mostly related to human life Scientific: –3D figures –Depth & shading –Expressive Free Standing Sculptures –Greco-Roman influence Nudes

Leonardo Da Vinci The Last Supper Fresco-oil & tempera on plaster –Applied to dry plaster (not wet, like it was supposed to be) & the paint didn’t take  fresco permanently damaged Located on the north wall of a Dominican monastery  wanted the painting to look like it was happening in the room Each apostle is grouped based on their reaction to Christ saying he will be betrayed –4 groups (shock, anger, denial, etc.) Christ is the central figure –Vanishing point is above his head –Seated & associated with the setting sun

The Last Supper Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci Mona Lisa World’s best known portrait –Most likely the wife of Francesco del Giocondo Figure shaped as a pyramid –Reflected in the mountains in the background Folds of her dress mimicked by roads & rivers Background & facial features are intentionally blurry –Shaved eyebrows & forehead were the fashion for women in the 15 th century  makes her look age & genderless Smokey painting technique –Sfumato building color on color

Mona Lisa Leonardo Da Vinci

Donatello David First life-sized free standing male nude since ancient times Feminine figure –Hands on his hips; soft features Shows an “underdog” story –An unassuming boy taking down a giant –Skill vs. strength Reflection of Greco-Roman influence

David Donatello

Michelangelo David Compared to Donatello’s –Donatello: Lean & unassuming; after battle –Michelangelo: Defiant; before battle Classically inspired –Greek marble statue influence Carved from a massive chunk of marble that no one else wanted to touch 17 feet tall –Even bigger on his platform

David Michelangelo

Michelangelo Creation of Adam Sistine Chapel; commissioned by Pope Julius II Biblical narrative –Struggle between good & evil Painted while standing –Caused bodily injury & discomfort Adam = earthbound & uninterested God = actively moving towards Adam  infuses Adam with a soul

Creation of Adam Michelangelo

Raphael School of Athens Also known as Philosophy Humanistic –Continuing pursuit of knowledge & truth Located in St. Peter’s Basilica 26 x 18 feet Fresco oil & tempera on wet plaster Divided into 2 philosophical camps (Aristotle’s & Plato’s; Aristotle is on the left, Plato on the right) Raphael used his friends as models for the philosophers –Da Vinci = Plato, Bramante = Euclid, Michelangelo =Heraclitus

School of Athens Raphael

Titian Venus of Urbino Painted for the Duke of Urbino Ambiguous meaning  she could be a bride or a prostitute The flowers are a reference to the goddess Venus Maids in the chest & the dog represent fidelity

Venus of Urbino Titian

Differences Between the Italian Renaissance & the Northern Renaissance Italian Renaissance: –Realism –Perspective –Classical inspiration (Greco-Roman) –Religious influence & subject matter –More of a focus on high society

Differences Between the Italian Renaissance & the Northern Renaissance: Northern Renaissance: –Use of oils –Love of detail –Landscapes –Everyday life –Symbolism to represent religion –Realistic depictions of people –Focus on peasant life

Jan Van Eyck The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait Arnolfini was a representative of the Medici Bank in Bruges The detail in the portrait is a hallmark of Northern Renaissance painting Details: –Convex mirror (reflects the back of the couple, Van Eyck, and a witness of the wedding) –“Van Eyck was here” –Fruit = wedding & the Garden of Eden –Dog = fidelity –Dusting brush = wife’s household duties –Wife looks pregnant, but isn’t pulled up green dress is a symbol of fertility –Shoes = sacred ground & ceremony –Candle = divine presence of Christ

The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait Jan Van Eyck

Pieter Brueghel Hunters in the Snow Northern Renaissance painting Shows daily peasant life Different from Italian Renaissance Art

Hunters in the Snow Pieter Brueghel The Elder

Hans Holbein Henry VIII Portrait of English King Henry VIII Painted later in his reign Designed to show his physical & political power Holbein was famous for his portraits, especially of Henry VIII & members of his court

Henry VIII Hans Holbein