1. Classical, Medieval & Renaissance Art

2. Classical Art Sculpture Painted Pottery Murals Mosaics
The classical period covered the height of the Greek culture and the Roman Empire, from its rise in 500 B.C. to A.D The people of these ancient societies developed many of the ideas that, today, make up our mathematics, science, literature, and art.
Forms of Art
The Purpose:
to show the importance of people and leaders, as well as the gods and goddesses.
Sculpture
Painted Pottery
Murals
Mosaics

3. Characteristics of Classical Art
Figures look idealized, perfect
Bodies look active, move convincingly
Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in togas
Faces are bland and calm, without emotion
Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing real tasks of daily life
Little background or sense of perspective (when distant objects look smaller and far away.)

4. Classical Statue of Venus or Aphrodite Bathing
Faces are bland and calm, without emotion
Figures look idealized, perfect
(Obviously for the time period)
Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing real tasks of daily life (Bathing in this case)
Bodies look active, move convincingly
(Notice how it seems she has just twisted)
Little background or sense of perspective (Not so noticeable in a statue since you don’t usually have backgrounds)
Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in togas (You probably noticed)

5. Grave Stele of Hegeso 400 B.C.
Figures look idealized, perfect
(Obviously for the time period)
Faces are bland and calm, without emotion
Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing real tasks of daily life (Having a conversation)
Bodies look active, move convincingly
(For instance she is leaning more on one foot.)
Little background or sense of perspective (Nothing other than the arch)
Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in togas

6. Medieval Period
The Medieval Period in Europe, which lasted roughly from A.D. 500 to A.D. 1400, was characterized by the rise of feudalism and the controlling power of the Catholic Church in people’s lives.
Forms of Art:
Sculptures
Paintings
Tapestries
Stained glass windows
Illuminated manuscripts
Purposes:
To teach religion to people who cannot read or write.

7. Characteristics of Medieval Art
Subjects mostly religious
Figures look flat and stiff with little real movement
Important figures are large
Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff looking clothes
Faces are solemn with little emotion
Paintings use vibrant colors
Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no interest in creating a realistic space

8. Cimabue’s Madonna and Child in Majesty A.D. 1280
Faces are solemn with little emotion
Paintings use vibrant colors
Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no interest in creating a realistic space
Subjects mostly religious
Figures look flat and stiff with little real movement
Important figures are largest
Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff looking clothes

9. The Bayeux Tapestry A.D. 1082 Faces are solemn with little emotion
Paintings use vibrant colors
Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no interest in creating a realistic space
Subjects mostly religious
Figures look flat and stiff with little real movement
Important figures are large
Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff looking clothes

10. Renaissance
The Renaissance included a rebirth of interest in classical culture. It began around 1400 and lasted until People rediscovered the writings and artworks of the Greeks and Romans, borrowed their ancient ideas, and combined them in new ways.
Forms of Art:
Sculpture
Murals
Drawings
Paintings
Architecture
Purposes:
To show the importance of people and nature, not just religion.

11. Characteristics of Renaissance Art:
Both religious and nonreligious scenes
Figures look idealized, perfect
Bodies may look active, moving
Bodies may be nude or clothed
Real people doing real tasks of daily life
Faces express what people are thinking
Colors respond to light that falls on them
Interest in nature, lots of natural detail
Full, deep backgrounds with perspective
Paintings are symmetrical (balanced on both sides)

12. Titian’s Venus and Adonis A.D. 1550
Bodies may look active, moving
Colors respond to light that falls on them
Interest in nature, lots of natural detail
Full, deep backgrounds with perspective
Paintings are symmetrical (balanced on both sides)
Both religious and nonreligious scenes
Figures look idealized, perfect (Ideal for the time)
Bodies may be nude or clothed
Real people doing real tasks of daily life
Faces express what people are thinking
Notice the similarities to Classical Art

13. Filippo Lippi’s Madonna and Child with Angels A.D. 1406
Bodies may look active, moving
Colors respond to light that falls on them
Interest in nature, lots of natural detail
Full, deep backgrounds with perspective
Paintings are symmetrical (balanced on both sides)
Both religious and nonreligious scenes
Figures look idealized, perfect
Bodies may be nude or clothed
Real people doing real tasks of daily life
Faces express what people are thinking

14. Michelangelo’s Pieta A.D. 1475
Bodies may look active, moving
Interest in nature, lots of natural detail
Simple triangular structure yet there are many other angles and lines within it.
Faces express what people are thinking (Mary’s expression is equal to the Mona Lisa) (is it prayer or sorrow?)
Both religious and nonreligious scenes
Figures look idealized, perfect (Mary young for the mother of a 33 year old.)
Bodies may be nude or clothed (Both in this case)
Real people doing real tasks of daily life (Holding the body of her dead son)
The Classical Art form lifted to new heights. Notice just how real this statue looks. The fabric is a different texture than her skin.