Donatello David Medici Commission First nude free standing statue since antiquity Classical body –Praxiteles Contrapposto and S-curve Restrained pose --- not moving

Verrochio’s David Medici Commission David is symbol of Florence He stands with jaunty pride Shows psychology of young, brash men

Donatello Feast of Herod Bronze relief Early use of linear perspective – vanishing point in center Figures decrease in size from foreground to background – recessional space

Donatello Saint Mark Placed in niche in Or San Michele Church – Florence Revival of classical contrapposto As his body moves, his drapery moves

Donatello Penitent Mary Magdalene Rare example of wood sculpture Deviates from Renaissance ideals of beauty Spiritual and intended for devotion

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus Mythological and based on a Neo-Platonist Poem of ideal beauty First female nude since antiquity, modest Venus pose Controversial because of nudity and pagan theme (Savonarola condemned this type of work)

Botticelli (Master of line) Portrait of a Youth Almost full-face view (influenced by northern Europe) which replaced the profile view popular in Florence until the 1470’s Reveals psychology of the sitter Pure outline with shading and graceful pose (graceful linearity)

Donatello’s Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata First life-size equestrian statue since antiquity Gattamelata was a condotierri (military leader of a city-state) Orb under horse’s foot – ancient symbol of power over the earth

Verrochio’s Equestrian Statue of Colleoni He was a condotierri (military commander) of Venice Taut muscles, rider has fierce erect body Demonstrates power

Nanni di Banco Four Crowned Saints Or San Michele, Florence Note separation from architecture Note how characters interact with gestures – will influence Leonardo Influenced by Roman portrait statues

Interested in muscular male form and movement Pollaiuolo Medici commission Hercules and Antaeus Mythological Battle Interested in muscular male form and movement Stress and strain of violent action                                 

Pollaiuolo Hercules and Antaeus (tempera painting) Muscular male form Violent action

Ghiberti Sacrifice of Isaac (sample for competition for bronze doors of Florence baptistery) Gothic element --- Abraham S-curve pose Renaissance elements ---- Isaac first classicizing nude since antiquity Altar resembles Roman sarcophagi

Ghiberti Eastern doors of Florence Baptistery “Gates of Paradise”

Ghiberti , Isaac and his sons Bronze relief panel Eastern doors of Florence Baptistery (10 panels altogether make up the doors) Medieval/Gothic element – rhythmic line and continuous narrative style Classical poses, motifs and architecture Linear perspective, changing relief (higher relief in foreground, lower in back), new realism in bodies

Ghirlandaio Portrait of Giovanna Tornabouni Sensitive, beautiful, aristocratic young woman *Tells viewers about Florentine life such as value of cultivating beauty in life and art Also the breeding of courtly manners Reveals value of classical literature for humanists (quote from Roman poet in background)

Ghirlandaio Birth of Virgin, Tornabuoni Chapel of Santa Maria Novella, Florence Popular technique --- Secular figure shown in a sacred theme (Tornabuoni woman leading the procession) Medici commissioned similar works (Adoration of Magi)

Fra Angelico “Annunciation” Fresco, San Marco monastery, Florence Not everyone was a humanist, he was a monk Simple, serene style from humble monk Devotional image

Fra Angelico --- Annunciation scene Simple, serene figures --- not fancy in secular (worldly) sense Interest in perspective and pictorial illusionism

Luca Della Robbia Madonna and Child (Or San Michele, Florence) Terracotta reliefs for people of modest means Popular, became family business “della Robbia ware” Tondo (circular) Bright, colorful, Easter season (white lilies – Mary’s purity) Different from Byzantine style, people were able relate with this kind of art

Lucca della Robbia Madonna and Child Glazed terracotta Popular, less expensive “della Robbia ware”

Gentile da Fabriano Adoration of Magi Altarpiece International Gothic style popular from 14th to 15th Century Typical sumptuous costumes and lavishly decorated Pomp and ceremony Some radical naturalism (foreshortened bodies, animal bodies shown from new angles Blends some new naturalistic techniques in a traditional, conservative style

Masaccio The Expulsion The Brancacci Chapel, Florence 1425 Fresco Idealized nudes Eve --- pose based on classical statue of Venus

Massacio Tribute Money Fresco Demonstrates continuous narration, chiaroscuro, linear perspective, atmospheric/aerial perspective Figures are balanced and solid

UNSEEN LIGHT SOURCE TO THE RIGHT…WHAT EFFECT DOES THIS CREATE? CHIAROSCURO NOTE HOW THE LIGHT-DARK CREATES A SCULPTURESQUE FORM

Massacio Holy Trinity Medium is fresco Geometric composition --- uses balance symmetry Linear Perspective and recessional space Donors are the kneeling figures shown on bottom Classical Architecture Influenced by Giotto Skeleton on bottom is Adam and death reminder

Mantegna Saint James Led to Martyrdom 1455 Fresco (largely destroyed in WWII) Interest in perspective Antique Roman attire on the soldiers (shows classical interest) Antique architecture (same point) Interest in body proportions

Mantegna Ceiling of Camera degli Sposi Fresco Oculus Trompe l’oeil (deceives the eye) illusionism Foreshortened bodies Putti (little cupids) Influenced Baroque ceilings

Mantegna’s Dead Christ 1501 Note foreshortening but not accurate Feet are small so they won’t cover the body of Christ Mantegna’s Dead Christ 1501

Castagno’s Last Supper 1447 Monastery --- Sant’ Apollonia, Florence Biblical narrative, shows Judas sitting alone on outside of table Interest in perspective but inaccurate (reality--roof and ceiling can’t be seen at same time)

Fra Savonarola Florentine priest during late 15th century Objected strongly to Florence’s humanist tendencies (interest in mythology and inclusion of nudity in art) After Lorenzo de’ Medici died and the Medici's were driven from Florence, Savonarola became dictator for a short while. He held “bonfires of the vanities,” in which Florentines would throw worldly possessions, humanist literature and art into fires.

Luca Signorelli Damned Cast into Hell Fresco, San Brizio Chapel, Orvieto, Italy Strong psychic impact (suffering and torment after living a sinful life) Savonarola would approve Influenced Michelangelo (Last Judgment) Lean muscular bodies, foreshortening, careful study of nudes Similar action to Pollaiuolo work

Luca Signorelli, Damned Cast into Hell