RENAISSANCE

Credit: Caroline Mc Corriston

Caroline Mc Corriston

Rebirth

◼ The renaissance was an era of great advancement in the arts and science

◼ The word ‘Renaissance’ means rebirth◼ A new philosophy called humanism became

popular and this philosophy valued human achievements

◼ Beauty was also highly valued as a way towards god

◼ The invention of the printing press helped spread new ideas

Support for the Arts

◼ Trade guilds-patrons-wealth-power◼ The humanist way of thinking put more

pressure on the rulers to spend generously on exquisite works of art and fine buildings

◼ The Medici family are the most well known patron family- they ruled Florence- the arts flourished

High Renaissance

◼ Inspiration spread to Rome◼ Pope Julius II and later Pope Leo X, son of

Lorenzo de Medici wanted the city to again become the main focal point of cultural and political success

◼ They spent a great deal of money to achieve this

Changes in High Renaissance

◼ More realism in figures◼ Lifelike facial features and expressions◼ Movement in the human figure◼ Figures related to each other more naturally

in composition

**Attitude towards artists changed**

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

◼ Ultimate renaissance man-wide range of talents

◼ He came from Vinci in the Tuscan hills◼ Was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio in

Florence◼ Moved to Milan to work in the court of

Ludovico Sforza-it was here that he painted the Last Supper

Credit: Caroline Mc Corriston

Credit: Caroline Mc Corriston Credit: Caroline Mc Corriston

Credit: Caroline Mc Corriston

The Last Supper, (1495-1498)Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie

The Last Supper

◼ Natural gestures and facial expressions◼ Silent and dramatic◼ “One of you will betray me”◼ Apostles are arranged in groups with some

leaning towards Christ and some away◼ Jesus remains serene and dignified◼ Jesus is central figure-clever perspective lines

A technique of mural painting upon freshly laid lime plaster. Water is used to mix with the pigment and, with the setting of the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall.

Leonardo hated the fast drying fresco-he liked to add detail-mixed oil with tempura paint-problems-within 20 years it began to disintegrate.

Fresco

An Intellectual

◼ Leonardo studied anatomy and dissected dead bodies

◼ He made hundreds of drawings to understand◼ He studied perspective- he was the first to use

atmospheric perspective

Mona Lisa, (between 1503-1506), Louvre Museum

◼ Sfumato and chiaroscuro

◼ Many interpretations about the work

◼ Skilful brushwork- realistic flesh and cloth

Oil on poplar wood

The Mind of the Artist

◼ Leonardo’s fascination with intellectual problems of art is one reason why his drawings outnumber his paintings.

◼ He thought that a painter had to represent two main things: man and ‘the motions of man’s mind’.

◼ Once Leonardo had solved the problems of composition and characterisation in his drawings, completing the job- the mere exercise of technical skill held little appeal.

Leonardo’s later Life

◼ Leonardo left Milan when it was invaded by French troops in 1500

◼ He returned to Florence and then Rome in the hope of getting work from the Pope

◼ However the Pope was more interested in Raphael and Michelangelo his old rival

◼ Leonardo’s work was seen as anti Christian and was forced to leave Italy.

◼ He died in 1519 in the court of the King of France where he found refuge

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Bibliography

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