Renaissance ArtRenaissance Art

Giotto di Bondone (b. 1267- Giotto di Bondone (b. 1267- d.1337)d.1337)

Giotto is mentioned by name in Dante’s Giotto is mentioned by name in Dante’s inferno (Dante feared history would forget inferno (Dante feared history would forget Giotto. Not so! Modern artists often seek Giotto. Not so! Modern artists often seek inspiration from Giotto)inspiration from Giotto)

In common with other artists of his day, In common with other artists of his day, Giotto lacked the technical knowledge of Giotto lacked the technical knowledge of anatomy and perspective that later anatomy and perspective that later painters learned.painters learned.

But, he possessed a grasp of human But, he possessed a grasp of human emotion and what was significant in human emotion and what was significant in human lifelife

He created compelling pictures of people He created compelling pictures of people under stress, of people caught up in crises under stress, of people caught up in crises and soul searching decisions.and soul searching decisions.

Giotto Giotto (1267-(1267-1337) 1337) CrucifixCrucifix

* Christ is * Christ is depicted as a real depicted as a real man and in a more man and in a more

natural pose.natural pose.

* Use of * Use of chiaroscurochiaroscuro

(technique of (technique of using light and using light and

shad)shad)

Donatello (b. 1386- d.1466)Donatello (b. 1386- d.1466)

Master of sculpture in bronze and Master of sculpture in bronze and marblemarble

Patrons often found him hard to deal Patrons often found him hard to deal with because he demanded a with because he demanded a measure of artistic freedom in a day measure of artistic freedom in a day when artists’ working conditions when artists’ working conditions were regulated by guild ruleswere regulated by guild rules

He was a connoisseur of ancient artHe was a connoisseur of ancient art

DonatelloDonatelloDavid and David and GoliathGoliath(1440s) (1440s)

* 62.5 inches tall* 62.5 inches tall* The first unsupported * The first unsupported standing work in bronze standing work in bronze cast since classical timescast since classical times* This statue originally * This statue originally belonged to Cosimo de belonged to Cosimo de MediciMedici* Created a sensation due * Created a sensation due to its portrayal of a nude to its portrayal of a nude young maleyoung male* The effeminately * The effeminately depicted David has a depicted David has a mysterious smilemysterious smileon his face.on his face.

Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510))

* Early Renaissance painter* Early Renaissance painter* Worked for the great families of * Worked for the great families of Florence, especially the de Medicis Florence, especially the de Medicis* Tried to reconcile classical and * Tried to reconcile classical and Christian views in his works Christian views in his works* With the expulsion of the de Medicis * With the expulsion of the de Medicis from from Florence in the 1490s by the fanatic Florence in the 1490s by the fanatic monk monk Savonarola, his works reflected an Savonarola, his works reflected an intense intense religious devotion. religious devotion.

Botticelli: Botticelli: Adoration of the Adoration of the MagiMagi

Contains the likenesses of the Medici Contains the likenesses of the Medici family (though not commissioned by family (though not commissioned by the Medicis)the Medicis)

The scene is a ruined classical temple The scene is a ruined classical temple buildingbuilding

It was considered to be the symbol of It was considered to be the symbol of the destruction of the heathen world the destruction of the heathen world by Christ’s arrivalby Christ’s arrival

Botticelli: Botticelli: Birth of VenusBirth of Venus

Venus was the Roman Goddess of LoveVenus was the Roman Goddess of LoveBased on the myth that Venus was Based on the myth that Venus was

born of the waves of the seaborn of the waves of the seaPagan in nature, at a time when most Pagan in nature, at a time when most

artworks depicted Roman Catholic artworks depicted Roman Catholic themesthemes

Surprising that this painting escaped Surprising that this painting escaped the flames of Savonarola’s bonfires – the flames of Savonarola’s bonfires – when other works of Botticelli perished.when other works of Botticelli perished.

Botticelli: Botticelli: Birth of Birth of VenusVenus

Botticelli: Botticelli: Birth of Birth of VenusVenus

Botticelli: Botticelli: Madonna of the Madonna of the PomegranatePomegranate

Note the similarity between the face of the Note the similarity between the face of the Virgin in this painting, and the face of Virgin in this painting, and the face of Venus in Venus in Birth of VenusBirth of Venus..

Meaning of Pomegranate: the wealth of Meaning of Pomegranate: the wealth of seeds convey the fullness of Christ’s seeds convey the fullness of Christ’s sufferingsuffering

The beginning of the prayer of the rosary – The beginning of the prayer of the rosary – a prayer created in the 15a prayer created in the 15thth c. – is c. – is embroidered on the angel’s sleeve. embroidered on the angel’s sleeve. Ave Ave Grazia PlenaGrazia Plena (Hail Mary, full of grace) (Hail Mary, full of grace)

Botticelli: Botticelli: Madonna of Madonna of

the the PomegranaPomegrana

tete

RaphaelRaphael

Master painter and architect of the Master painter and architect of the Italian High RenaissanceItalian High Renaissance

Best known for his Madonnas and his Best known for his Madonnas and his large figure compositions in the large figure compositions in the VaticanVatican

Raphael Raphael (1483-(1483-1520) 1520)

Madonna Madonna di di

FolignoFoligno

Raphael: Raphael: School of AthensSchool of Athens

* A depiction of philosophy* A depiction of philosophy* Figures represent each subject that * Figures represent each subject that must be mastered in order to hold a true must be mastered in order to hold a true philosophic debate (astronomy, geometry, philosophic debate (astronomy, geometry, arithmetic)arithmetic)* Plato and Aristotle are at the top steps* Plato and Aristotle are at the top steps* Man leaning on the block is Michelangelo * Man leaning on the block is Michelangelo (who Raphael added later after viewing (who Raphael added later after viewing the Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine the Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel)Chapel)* Raphael painted himself into the artwork* Raphael painted himself into the artwork* A * A frescofresco

MassicoMassico (c. 1401-1427) (c. 1401-1427)

First great painter of the Italian First great painter of the Italian RenaissanceRenaissance

His innovations in the use of scientific His innovations in the use of scientific perspective inaugurated the modern era perspective inaugurated the modern era in painting.in painting.

Was influenced by Giotto, but more Was influenced by Giotto, but more strongly influenced by Brunelleschi and strongly influenced by Brunelleschi and Donatello, two of his contemporaries.Donatello, two of his contemporaries.

Massacio: Massacio: The Holy TrinityThe Holy Trinity

* A fresco* A fresco* Executed in * Executed in perfect perfect perspectiveperspective

Leonard da Vinci (b. 1452 – d. Leonard da Vinci (b. 1452 – d. 1519)1519)

Considered to be one of the greatest Considered to be one of the greatest painters of all timepainters of all time

Has been described as the archetype Has been described as the archetype of the “Renaissance man”of the “Renaissance man”

He was an artist, engineer, He was an artist, engineer, anatomist, physiologist, and moreanatomist, physiologist, and more

He conceived of ideas vastly ahead He conceived of ideas vastly ahead of his own timeof his own time

Leonardo da Leonardo da Vinci Vinci Lady with an Lady with an ErmineErmine

* Uses geometric * Uses geometric proportionsproportions* Ermine is a * Ermine is a symbol of chastitysymbol of chastity* Ironic that the * Ironic that the subject was a subject was a mistress to the mistress to the Duke of MilanDuke of Milan

Leonardo da Vinci: Leonardo da Vinci: Last Last SupperSupper

Da Vinci: Da Vinci: Mona LisaMona Lisa

Michelangelo Buonarroti Michelangelo Buonarroti (b. 1475 – d. 1564)(b. 1475 – d. 1564)

Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet.architect and poet.

Like da Vinci, his rival and fellow Like da Vinci, his rival and fellow Florentine, he is a contender for the Florentine, he is a contender for the title of archetypal Renaissance man.title of archetypal Renaissance man.

Sculpted David as a model of heroic Sculpted David as a model of heroic courage in the hope that Florentines courage in the hope that Florentines would be alert and mobilize to would be alert and mobilize to confront outside threatsconfront outside threats

MichelangelMichelangelo (1475-o (1475-1564) 1564) DavidDavid

* Marble* Marble* 14.24 ft tall* 14.24 ft tall

Michelangelo: Michelangelo: Sistine ChapelSistine Chapel

* He was * He was reluctant to do it reluctant to do it because his because his passion was passion was sculpting and he sculpting and he did not consider did not consider himself a painterhimself a painter

Michelangelo: Sistine ChapelMichelangelo: Sistine ChapelCreation of AdamCreation of Adam

Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516)Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516)The Garden of Earthly DelightsThe Garden of Earthly Delights

* A Dutch painter* A Dutch painter* Many of his works depict sin and * Many of his works depict sin and human moral failingshuman moral failings* His works contain complex, highly * His works contain complex, highly original, imaginative, and dense use of original, imaginative, and dense use of symbolic figures and iconography.symbolic figures and iconography.* He is said to have been an inspiration * He is said to have been an inspiration to the surrealist movement of the 20to the surrealist movement of the 20thth centurycentury

Bosch: Bosch: Ship of FoolsShip of Fools

* Bosch is * Bosch is imagining that imagining that we are all fools we are all fools traveling the traveling the seas of time seas of time on a shipon a ship

El Greco (b. 1541 – d. 1614)El Greco (b. 1541 – d. 1614)

From Crete (El Greco means “The From Crete (El Greco means “The Greek”)Greek”)

Painter, sculptor and architect who Painter, sculptor and architect who settled in Spain and is regarded as settled in Spain and is regarded as the first great genius of the Spanish the first great genius of the Spanish School.School.

El GrecoEl GrecoAdoration of Adoration of the the ShepherdsShepherds

* Places great * Places great emphasisemphasis on on the expression the expression of emotions of emotions and gesturesand gestures* Makes * Makes remarkable use remarkable use of lightof light

Jan Van Eyck (b. 1385 – d. Jan Van Eyck (b. 1385 – d. 1441)1441)

Flemish (Belgian) painterFlemish (Belgian) painterAchieved new and remarkable effects Achieved new and remarkable effects

in oil paintingin oil paintingVan Eyck, like most painters, signed Van Eyck, like most painters, signed

and dated his paintings on the frames and dated his paintings on the frames – as the two were painted at the same – as the two were painted at the same time.time.

An exception to the above rule is his An exception to the above rule is his celebrated celebrated Arnolfini Portrait – Arnolfini Portrait – one of one of his masterpieces.his masterpieces.

Jan Van Eyck Jan Van Eyck Arnolfino Arnolfino WeddingWedding* He signed his * He signed his name above the name above the mirror in this mirror in this portrait – “Jan portrait – “Jan Van Eyck was Van Eyck was here”here”* Small dog is a * Small dog is a symbol of fertilitysymbol of fertility* Mirror reflects * Mirror reflects the witnessesthe witnesses* Lighting* Lighting

Van Eyck: Van Eyck: The The

Madonna Madonna of of

Chancellor Chancellor RolinRolin

Holbein the Younger Holbein the Younger (b. 1497 – d. 1543)(b. 1497 – d. 1543)

German painter, draftsman and German painter, draftsman and designer renowned for the precise designer renowned for the precise rendering of his drawings and the rendering of his drawings and the compelling realism of his portraits – compelling realism of his portraits – particularly those recording the court particularly those recording the court of King Henry VIII of England.of King Henry VIII of England.

His His The AmbassadorsThe Ambassadors was presented was presented as a “picture with a secret” – in line as a “picture with a secret” – in line with a custom that was to become with a custom that was to become common, especially in Germany.common, especially in Germany.

Holbein Holbein the the Younger Younger AmassadoAmassadorsrs* * The The objects and objects and details details depict the depict the private and private and political political career of the career of the subjects.subjects.

* Do you * Do you see the see the secret?secret?

Pieter Bruegel the YoungerPieter Bruegel the Younger(b. 1497 – d. 1543)(b. 1497 – d. 1543)

Flemish artistFlemish artist

Concentrated on scenes from Concentrated on scenes from peasant lifepeasant life

A kind of “wedding crasher” in his A kind of “wedding crasher” in his day.day.

Pieter Bruegel the Younger:Pieter Bruegel the Younger:Peasant WeddingPeasant Wedding