1. Art Characteristics through the Ages

2. Characteristics of Classical Art
Mythological Themes/Heroes
ancient Greek & Romans viewed as religious
Idealized portrayal of subject:
Larger than life
Emphasized fitness and strength
Nude
Contrapposto = Italian “for set against.”
Position of body with weight on one leg while the other is at rest- suggests movement.
Uses balance and perspective (technique used to give depth to a painting using lines and angles), symmetry and simplicity.

3. What is Contrapposto? Michelangelo’s David is a great example.
The right leg is the weight-bearing leg. The left leg is relaxed and suggests movement.
It is a relaxed natural posture. Compare to ancient Egyptian statues.

4. Differences between Ancient Egyptian and
Greek Sculpture
Greek Art
Egyptian Art

5. Differences between Ancient Egyptian and Greek Sculpture
Hermes
Greek Art
Egyptian Art

6. Nike of Samothrace
Artist: Unknown
190 BC

7. Athena
Unknown
Hellenistic Period

8. Socrates
Unknown
Hellenistic Period

9. Three Graces
Unknown
100 BC
Three Graces

10. Characteristics of Medieval Art
Religious Themes
New Testament
Lives of saints
Lack of emotion/stiff flat (almost cartoonish looking)
Stylized portrayal of subject:
Gold background
Faces all look the same

11. Christus Patiens
Marcovoldo
1260 AD

12. Christus Patiens
Coppo di Marcovaldo
1261 AD

13. Joan of Arc
Unknown
Early Middle Ages

14. Madonna and Child
Duccio di Buoninsegna
Late Middle Ages (1300?)

15. Enthroned Madonna and Child with Angels and Prophets (Maesta)
Cimabue
1280 AD

16. Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Saints (Maesta)
Duccio
1311 AD

17. Medieval Classroom
Artist: Unknown
Late Middle Ages

18. Characteristics of Renaissance Art
Science of Looking:
Perspective : gives depth by using lines and angles.
Light and shadow.
Knowledge of anatomy and nature (looks realistic)
Classicism- reference to ancient Greece and Rome:
Mythological subject.
Architecture.
Style: larger than life, nude, contrapposto.
Humanism: emphasis on the individual and emotions.
Self-portrait/ordinary people.
Emphasis on emotions/gestures.

19. Perspective First use of linear perspective! Perspective! The Trinity
Masaccio
1427
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
First use of linear perspective!
What you are, I once was; what I am, you will become.

20. Light & Shadowing/Softening Edges
Sfumato
Chiaroscuro

21. Emphasis on Individualism
Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: The Duke & Dutchess of Urbino
Piero della Francesca,

22. * First Free Standing Nude Bronze Statue Since Classical Times
David
Donatello
1440
* First Free Standing Nude Bronze
Statue Since Classical Times
Find spot: David’s hat= Florentine
Shephard’s hat. This is a statue for
Florence (patron saint).
Civic pride = Humanism.

23. `
The Penitent Magdalen
Donatello
1450

24. The Annunciation
Fra Angelico
1445

25. Trinity with Mary, John the Evangelist and Two Donors
Massacio
1428
Tour de force: artist
displays master of a
technique.
(tiled arch in background)

26. (it looks like you can step into the entrance way into the picture)
St. Jerome in His Study
da Messina
1455
Trompe L’oeile: an
Optical illusion.
(it looks like you can step into the entrance way into the picture)

27. Adoration of the Magi Botticelli 1470

28. The Birth of Venus
Botticelli
1486

29. Primavera
Botticelli
1482

30. The Last Supper- Jesus’ last meal with apostles- was another common subject like the christus patiens
and Maestas
The
Last Supper
Dieric Bouts
( )

31. The Last Supper
Ghirlandaio
(late 1400s)

32. The Last Supper
Andrea del Castagno
1447

34. Madonna of the
Goldfinch
Raphael
1506

35. Madonna and Child
with St. Anne
Leonardo da Vinci
1513