The Renaissance Means “rebirth” - first society to understand their own place in history and invent a name for themselves. They no longer saw themselves in relation to Christ (A.D. or B.C.), but now measured history by human events. Individualism –Self-awareness/self-assurance –Ready to question traditional beliefs and values –Considered the “Dark Ages” dark! Humanism –The idea that MAN, not God, is the measure of all things –To revive the classical “humanities” and surpass them –Advances in all arts and sciences –Neo-Platonism - ancient culture adapted for Christian use

The “High Renaissance” The highest point of creativity during the Renaissance Involves the work of a relatively few artistic “geniuses” - art no longer a “craft” –Leonardo– Bramante (architect) –Michelangelo– Raphael –Giorgione– Titian The “Cult of the Genius” The “Renaissance Man” Same time as Christopher Columbus

The “Big Three” of the High Renaissance

1. Leonardo da Vinci – Michelangelo Buonarroti – Raphael (Raphaello Sanzio) –

Big Achievements in Art Oil paint supercedes tempera as the medium of choice The Laws of Perspective are worked out by Filippo Bruneleschi (an architect) around 1400

1. Leonardo da Vinci the first “Renaissance Man” an Endless Search for Knowledge Painter Scientist/Inventor Architect Munitions designer Musician City planner

Leonardo the Painter Detail from Verrocchio's Baptism of Christ First known figure ptd. by Leonardo

Leonardo the Painter Detail from Verrocchio's Baptism of Christ First known figure ptd. by Leonardo

Virgin of the Rocks (1485) Sfumato –Oil glazing vs. impasto Chiaroscuro –“Light and shade”

The Last Supper ( ) 14x30 ft - Tragic experiment - Composition

“One of you will betray me...”

La Jaconde or Mona Lisa ( ) Pyramidal composition Symbolic AND representational Possibly the most famous painting of all time Sfumato and glazing

Virgin and Child with St. Anne ( ) “Heightened” drawingFifteen years to complete!

Drawings

Notebooks

Leonardo the Inventor Medical Illustration Pastels Life preserver Spring-powered automobile Diving bell “Flying” machines Human-powered army tank Chariots with blades Bombshells Etc.

Self- portrait ( )

2. Michelangelo Buonarroti The Solitary Genius

The Stereotypical “Temperamental Genius” The “divine” Michelangelo Amazing stubborn - in all things artistic, he accepted no authority above his own Violent mood swings Preferred to work alone Saw his genius as both blessing and curse – tormented Always felt like he was under someone else’s control – a victim of patronage Worked like a madman! True CREATION!

Neo-Platonism A new form of an ancient philosophy (Plato) that allowed Renaissance artists to combine ancient (pagan) forms of art and architecture with Christian themes Search for “ideal forms” - Truth=Beauty Result was the idea that one approaches truth through physical beauty “Venus/Aphrodite” now as “Virgin Mary” God as the ultimate mathematician / architect

Renaissance Man Architect

Renaissance Man Architect Painter

Renaissance Man Architect Painter Poet

Renaissance Man Architect Painter Poet Primarily a sculptor

Battle of Centaurs (1492) Age 17

St. Peters Peita’ Instant Fame at age 24 Neo-Platonic Ideas: Physical beauty is a manifestation of the spirit

David The symbol of both Renaissance man and the city of Florence 17 ft. tall “super hero” of the 16th century

Study for the Battle of Cascina Contest with Leonardo

Holy Family (1505) Michelangelo’s only surviving easel painting

The Sistene Chapel Ceiling ( ) “Bullied” into doing it by Pope Julius II Age Completed in 4 years, working ALONE(!) 5800 sq.ft. over 300 figures 68 ft off the ground

The Ceiling

Creation of Adam

The Creation of Adam - detail

Libyan Sibyl - study and finished fresco “The more relief a painting shows, the more it approaches and assumes a lifelike quality.”

The Last Judgment (1534) Started 27 years after he started the ceiling (6 years to complete) Painted during the Reformation Self-portrait included

Restoration:

Michelangelo the Architect St. Peter’s basilica, Vatican City, Rome “Muscular” style

Rondanini Peita ( ) Michelangelo’s last work “Painting and sculpture have ruined me…it would have been better if in my youth I had hired myself out to make sulpher matches.”

Michelangelo (on his deathbed): “I regret that I have not done enough for the salvation of my soul and that I am dying just as I learn the alphabet of my profession.”

Born in Urbino and studied under local master named Perugino At age 21, he moved to Florence and studied the works of the other masters At 25, he was summoned by the Pope to work in Rome “Mr. Slick” of the Renaissance painters Combined the grace of Leonardo and the power of Michelengelo 1514 made head architect of St. Peter’s basilica (Michelangelo was upset by this…) Live fast and die young (bled by physicians to death at age 37!) 3. Raphael (Raphaello Sanzio

The School of Athens His “Masterpiece”

Portraits “Man with Apple” (1505) “Woman with Veil” (1516) Pope Leo X ( )

Until the 20th century, he was the most celebrated of the Renaissance painters. The Sistine Madonna

Until the 20th century, he was the most celebrated of the Renaissance painters. The Sistine Madonna

The Transfiguration

4. Donatello ( ) “The last Ninja Turtle” David The first monumental free-standing sculptures of the Renaissance