Art StoriesArt Stories Chapter 1Chapter 1

TheThe RenaissanceRenaissance

The Rebirth of artThe Rebirth of art

Dates to know:Dates to know:

Early Renaissance Art, 1400-1480Early Renaissance Art, 1400-1480 High Renaissance Art, 1500-1520High Renaissance Art, 1500-1520 Northern Renaissance Art, 1500-Northern Renaissance Art, 1500-

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Renaissance-Renaissance- The Rebirth of The Rebirth of ArtArt

Shift from the supernatural to the natural Shift from the supernatural to the natural (lifelike art). However, artists continued to (lifelike art). However, artists continued to paint religious subjects.paint religious subjects.

Rediscovery of the art and literature of Rediscovery of the art and literature of Greece and RomeGreece and Rome

The scientific study of the body and the The scientific study of the body and the natural worldnatural world

The intent to reproduce the forms of The intent to reproduce the forms of nature realisticallynature realistically

Artists achieved new heights in Artists achieved new heights in portraiture, landscape, and portraiture, landscape, and mythological and religious paintings.mythological and religious paintings.

As skills increased, the prestige of As skills increased, the prestige of the artist soared, reaching its peak the artist soared, reaching its peak during the High Renaissance.during the High Renaissance.

Top Four BreakthroughsTop Four Breakthroughs

1)1) Change from tempera paint on Change from tempera paint on wood panels and fresco on plaster wood panels and fresco on plaster walls to oil on stretched canvaswalls to oil on stretched canvas

2)2) The use of perspectiveThe use of perspective

3)3) Giving weight and depth to formsGiving weight and depth to forms

4)4) Pyramidal compositions in Pyramidal compositions in paintings.paintings.

Oil on Stretched CanvasOil on Stretched Canvas

Oil on canvas became Oil on canvas became the medium of choice.the medium of choice.

There was a greater There was a greater range of colours.range of colours.

The smooth gradations The smooth gradations of tone permitted of tone permitted painters to represent painters to represent textures and simulate textures and simulate 3-D forms.3-D forms.

PerspectivePerspective Linear perspective created Linear perspective created

the optical effect of the optical effect of objects receding in the objects receding in the distance through lines that distance through lines that appear to converge at a appear to converge at a single point in the picture single point in the picture known as the vanishing known as the vanishing point.point.

Painters also reduced the Painters also reduced the size of objects and muted size of objects and muted colours or blurred details colours or blurred details as objects got farther as objects got farther away.away.

Masaccio, Tribute Money, 1424-28

Prior to the Renaissance the size of each element in the image related much more to its importance, rather than its placement in a space. Notice how large the Madonna and child are compared to the rest of the image.

In Masaccio’s “Tribute In Masaccio’s “Tribute Money,” lines converge Money,” lines converge behind the head of behind the head of Christ. Doing so makes Christ. Doing so makes it obvious who the most it obvious who the most important figure in the important figure in the scene is.scene is.

Light and ShadowLight and Shadow

Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro (pronounced key arrow (pronounced key arrow SKEWR o), which means SKEWR o), which means “light/dark” in Italian“light/dark” in Italian

New technique in New technique in painting by which painting by which lighter parts seem to lighter parts seem to emerge from the darker emerge from the darker areasareas

Produced the illusion of Produced the illusion of rounded, sculptural rounded, sculptural relief on a flat surfacerelief on a flat surface

Caravaggio, Judith Beheading Holofernes 1598-1599 Oil on canvas 145 cm × 195 cm

(57 in × 77 in)

Pyramid ConfigurationPyramid Configuration

Began to use a more Began to use a more three-dimensional three-dimensional “pyramid “pyramid configuration”configuration”

This symmetrical This symmetrical composition builds to composition builds to a climax at the centera climax at the center

Giovanni Bellini, Madonna and Child, c. 1500

Early Early RenaissanceRenaissance

Massaccio Massaccio (pronounced ma SAHT chee oh)(pronounced ma SAHT chee oh)

The founder of Early Renaissance paintings.The founder of Early Renaissance paintings. Nicknamed “Sloppy Tom” because he Nicknamed “Sloppy Tom” because he

neglected his appearance.neglected his appearance. Innovations: mastery of perspective and use Innovations: mastery of perspective and use

of single, constant source of light casting of single, constant source of light casting accurate shadows.accurate shadows.

Reintroduced naturalism to art.Reintroduced naturalism to art.

In this fresco, a Roman tax collector In this fresco, a Roman tax collector demands tax money from demands tax money from ChristChrist and the and the twelve twelve apostlesapostles who don't have the money who don't have the money to pay. Christ points to the left, and says to to pay. Christ points to the left, and says to Peter "so that we may not offend them, go Peter "so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." and give it to them for my tax and yours."

Masaccio, The Tribute Money, c. 1427, fresco, 247 cm × 597 cm (97.2 in × 235 in), Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence.

Masaccio painted human figures not as linear columns, in the Gothic style, but as real human beings

Masaccio uses linear and Pyramidal perspective; the lines converge behind the head of Christ

There is a single source of light coming from the right side. Figures/objects cast dark shadows on the left.

The story The story unfolds within unfolds within one image and one image and out of order! out of order!

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DonatelloDonatello

Reintroduced naturalism to Reintroduced naturalism to artart

ContrappostoContrapposto – weight – weight concentrated on one leg with concentrated on one leg with the rest of the body relaxed.the rest of the body relaxed.

His “David” was the first life-His “David” was the first life-size, freestanding nude size, freestanding nude sculpture since the Classical sculpture since the Classical period.period.

Donatello, David, c. 1430-32, Bronze, h. 158 cm.

Donatello, David, 1430-32

Late Gothic sculpture

The Golden Age of Greece

BotticelliBotticelli(pronounced bought tee CHEL lee)(pronounced bought tee CHEL lee)

His painting marks the His painting marks the rebirth of Classical rebirth of Classical MythologyMythology..

Venus, the goddess, of Venus, the goddess, of lovelove, rises from the sea , rises from the sea and emerges from a shell. and emerges from a shell.

West Winds (on the left) West Winds (on the left) push her towards land. push her towards land.

Spring is ready to toss a Spring is ready to toss a robe around Venus’s body.robe around Venus’s body.

The pale colours and The pale colours and floating appearance add to floating appearance add to the unreality of the subject. the unreality of the subject.

Botticelli, “Birth of Venus,” 1482, tempera on canvas, 172.5 cm × 278.5 cm (67.9 in × 109.6 in).

The The High RenaissanceHigh Renaissance

Leonardo Da VinciLeonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo was admired for his Leonardo was admired for his handsome appearance, intellect, and handsome appearance, intellect, and charm.charm.

He was fascinated with flightHe was fascinated with flight Distractions constantly lured him Distractions constantly lured him

from one incomplete project to from one incomplete project to another.another.

Captured the dramatic moment after Christ Captured the dramatic moment after Christ announced one of his announced one of his disciplesdisciples would betray would betray him.him.

All lines converging on Christ’s head, fixed Christ All lines converging on Christ’s head, fixed Christ as the apex of the pyramidal composition.as the apex of the pyramidal composition.

Leonardo, The Last Supper, c. 1495, Fresco.

An example of a fresco painting- a large An example of a fresco painting- a large painting on a church wall which requires painting on a church wall which requires the paint be applied to a wet surface. the paint be applied to a wet surface. The plaster absorbs the colours making The plaster absorbs the colours making the picture as permanent as the wall. the picture as permanent as the wall.

Leonardo was not suited to the demands Leonardo was not suited to the demands of traditional fresco painting, which of traditional fresco painting, which required quick, unerring brushwork.required quick, unerring brushwork.

He began to experiment with an He began to experiment with an oil/tempera mixture on dry oil/tempera mixture on dry plasterplaster..

It began to disintegrate in his lifetime.It began to disintegrate in his lifetime.

She was nobody special.She was nobody special. The young wife of a The young wife of a

Florentine merchant Florentine merchant GiocondoGiocondo

Set the standard for high Set the standard for high Renaissance paintings. Renaissance paintings.

The use of perspective, with The use of perspective, with all lines converging on a all lines converging on a single vanishing point single vanishing point behind Mona Lisa’s head.behind Mona Lisa’s head.

TriangularTriangular composition. composition. Relaxed, natural three-Relaxed, natural three-

quarter posequarter pose Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, Wood on Poplar,

Leonardo used chiaroscuro to Leonardo used chiaroscuro to model features through model features through lightlight and and shadowshadow..

Starting with dark undertones, Starting with dark undertones, he built the illusion of three-he built the illusion of three-dimensional features through dimensional features through layers and layers of think semi-layers and layers of think semi-transparent glazes. Technique transparent glazes. Technique called “sfumato” (pronounced called “sfumato” (pronounced sfoo-mah-toh).sfoo-mah-toh).

Leonardo engaged musicians Leonardo engaged musicians and jesters to amuse his subject and jesters to amuse his subject to avoid the solemnity of most to avoid the solemnity of most formal portraits.formal portraits.

Marcel Duchamp, L.H.O.O.Q., 1919

Salvador Dali, Self Portrait as Mona Lisa, 1954

Andy Warhol, 1963

By 1952 more than 61 versions of the Mona Lisa had been created.

MichelangeloMichelangelo At 29 he was declared the most At 29 he was declared the most

famous sculptor in Italy.famous sculptor in Italy. He described his technique as He described his technique as

“liberating the figure from the “liberating the figure from the marble that imprisons it.”marble that imprisons it.”

Michelangelo was cared for by a wet Michelangelo was cared for by a wet nurse whose husband was a nurse whose husband was a stonecutter.stonecutter.

The boy grew up absorbed with The boy grew up absorbed with carving, drawing, and art.carving, drawing, and art.

His family beat him to force him into His family beat him to force him into a “respectable” profession.a “respectable” profession.

The Medici prince Lorenzo the The Medici prince Lorenzo the Magnificent recognized the boy’s Magnificent recognized the boy’s talent and, at the age of 15, took talent and, at the age of 15, took Michelangelo to his Florentine court.Michelangelo to his Florentine court.

Always carved his Always carved his sculpture from one sculpture from one block.block.

Carved when he was Carved when he was 23.23.

““Pieta” means “pity”Pieta” means “pity” Pyramidal Pyramidal

arrangement derived arrangement derived from Leonardo.from Leonardo.

Composure of the Composure of the virgin’s face.virgin’s face.

Michelangelo, Pieta, 1498/99-1500, St. Peter’s, Rome.

The accuracy of the The accuracy of the anatomy of Christ’s body is anatomy of Christ’s body is due to Michelangelo’s due to Michelangelo’s dissection of corpses.dissection of corpses.

This is the only work that This is the only work that Michelangelo signed (ribbon Michelangelo signed (ribbon across the Virgin’s chest).across the Virgin’s chest).

A viewer could not believe A viewer could not believe that someone so young that someone so young could create such a could create such a masterpiece.masterpiece.

Michelangelo, David, 1501-1504, marble, 5.17-metre.

He was commissioned He was commissioned to create this work to create this work from a leftover piece from a leftover piece of marble.of marble.

It was to be placed It was to be placed way up high.way up high.

It was decided that it It was decided that it was way to beautiful was way to beautiful to place up high.to place up high.

A base was built for it.A base was built for it.

Its size and proportions are superhuman (ex. oversized hands)

The young boy has a manly body

David still holds the stone which he will use to kill the giant, Goliath

Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel, 1508-12, gold and plaster.

Detail of the Sistine Chapel

He was asked to paint a few vines on a blue He was asked to paint a few vines on a blue background.background.

The The SistineSistine Chapel contains more than 340 Chapel contains more than 340 human figures (10’-18’ tall)human figures (10’-18’ tall)

Finished in less than 4 years, virtually Finished in less than 4 years, virtually without assistance.without assistance.

Nearly one-half the length of a Nearly one-half the length of a footballfootball field. field.

The roof leaked The roof leaked

which made the which made the

plaster too damp.plaster too damp.

The curved shape of the barrel vault divided The curved shape of the barrel vault divided by cross vaults made his job even harder.by cross vaults made his job even harder.

He had to work on a seven-story-high scaffold He had to work on a seven-story-high scaffold in a cramped uncomfortable position.in a cramped uncomfortable position.

It took him 4.5 years to complete it. It took It took him 4.5 years to complete it. It took restorers 10 years to clean it.restorers 10 years to clean it.

RaphaelRaphael Voted to be most popular.Voted to be most popular. Raphael’s father (a mediocre Raphael’s father (a mediocre

painter) taught him the basics of painter) taught him the basics of painting.painting.

By the age of 17 he was rated and By the age of 17 he was rated and independent master.independent master.

Raphael, The School of Athens, 1510-11

Includes the masters Includes the masters of Classical Greek of Classical Greek thought, science and thought, science and art. The main figures art. The main figures are are PlatoPlato and and AristotleAristotle. .

The individual poses The individual poses and the grouping of and the grouping of the figures in an the figures in an architectural setting architectural setting are influences of are influences of Michelangelo.Michelangelo.

The balance and The balance and composition are composition are reminiscent of reminiscent of Leonardo’sLeonardo’s Last Last SupperSupper..

TitianTitian

He used strong He used strong colourscolours as his main as his main expressive device.expressive device.

Covered the surface of the canvas Covered the surface of the canvas with red for warmth.with red for warmth.

Then he painted both the figures and Then he painted both the figures and background in vivid hues and toned background in vivid hues and toned them down with thirty or forty layers them down with thirty or forty layers of glazes.of glazes.

After his wife died his After his wife died his paintings became paintings became more muted.more muted.

As his eyesight failed As his eyesight failed he loosened his he loosened his brushstrokes.brushstrokes.

At the end they were At the end they were broad, thickly loaded broad, thickly loaded with paint, and with paint, and slashing.slashing.

Titian, Bacchanal of the Adrians, 1518, Oil, Prado, 168.00 x 218.50 cm, Madridd.

OverviewOverview Lasted only a short time – approximately 20 Lasted only a short time – approximately 20

years (1495-1527)years (1495-1527) During the High Renaissance, artists were During the High Renaissance, artists were

viewed as geniuses rather than craftspeople. viewed as geniuses rather than craftspeople. It was widely believed that artists, like poets, It was widely believed that artists, like poets, created their work under divine inspiration. created their work under divine inspiration.

Early Renaissance - artists had relied on Early Renaissance - artists had relied on formulas, scientific perspective, ratios and formulas, scientific perspective, ratios and proportions to structure their work. proportions to structure their work.

High Renaissance - artists often disregarded High Renaissance - artists often disregarded those rules and let their feelings dictate their those rules and let their feelings dictate their styles.styles.

Painters, sculptors and architects created Painters, sculptors and architects created works that were more expressive than those works that were more expressive than those of their predecessors. of their predecessors.