Art of the Renaissance

Art of the Renaissance Back to the Future

5 Causes • 1.) More Wealth available through increased international trading • 2.) More technical knowledge and appreciation for academics • 3.) Rediscovery and appreciation of Classical artistic contributions • 4.) The Protestant Reformation decreased the influence of the church • 5.) End of the plague-filled years in Europe

4 Key Breakthroughs in Painting • Oil Paint on Canvas – (replaced tempera paint on wood & fresco on plaster) this provided a much greater range of colors & shading Painting by Artemesia Gentileschi. Israeli leader Judith and her assistant Abra cutting the head off an enemy warlord. Note the calm expressions (although it is suspected that overzealous restoration erased some of the furrows from their brows.)

Perspective – the illusion of depth on a flat surface – objects fade toward a “Vanishing Point”

Chiaroscuro – (light/dark in Italian) the use of light & shadow to creating depth & realism through accurate shading. The Girl With the Pearl Earring – Johannes Vermeer

Pyramid Configuration – Building the focus of an image to a climax in the center The Virgin of the Rocks – Leonardo de Vinci

3 Significant Styles of the Renaissance Particular Eras and Regions

Early Renaissance (1400-1500) • Originates in Florence, Italy due to its status as the center of Europe’s banking system • Key patron is the Medici family • 3 Key Artists represent the significant developments of the Early Renaissance

Florence & The Medicis

Masaccio – “The Father of Renaissance Painting” – established many of the techniques associated with this period in 1420s • The Holy Trinity

Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

Donatello - “The Father of Renaissance Sculpture” - his David is the first free-standing nude statue since the classical period, but more “real”.

Botticelli – Painter who used new techniques to tell the story of the classical. The “Birth of Venus” is his signature work.

High Renaissance (1500-1600) • Center of the movement shifts to Rome with the decline of the Medici family in Florence • Key patron is Pope Julius II • Period is seen as the peak of achievement in the arts • Period begins when Leonardo Da Vinci paints his “Last Supper” in 1495

High Renaissance Cont. • Key contribution to architecture is Donato Bramante’s Tempietto 1502 • Key painting: Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (1505) & Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. • Key sculpture is Michelangelo’s Pieta (1505)

Northern Renaissance (1400-1600) • The Renaissance as it was interpreted by the cultures outside of Italy (not just north) • Region did not have Roman ruins to rediscover, but looked to nature for inspiration • Invention of the printing press helped spread the developments in Italy • The Northern Renaissance was also closely linked to the Protestant Reformation

Northern Renaissance Hall of Fame Holland – Jan Van Eyck “The Arnolfini Wedding” 1434

Northern Renaissance Hall of Fame • Spain – • El Greco • “The Resurrection” 1600

Germany – Albrecht Durer “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” 1497

Belgium – Pieter Bruegel “Hunters in the Snow” 1565

Literature • In 1450 Guttenberg invents printing press, huge impact on availability & length of literature • Machiavelli writes The Prince in 1513, still a guide for getting & maintaining political power • The height of Allegory – stories where fictional characters symbolically represent another level of “Truth”

Literature Cont. • Martin Luther translates the bible into German & founds Protestantism • During 1590’s playwriting is at its height in Elizabethan England and William Shakespeare is the leading figure of this group.

Performing Arts • 15th Century performing arts saw a revival during the Renaissance . • Ballet was born in Italy in the late 15th century as an interpretation of fencing • The First Opera -Dafneby Jacopo Peris – was performed in 1597 • The plays (acting) of Shakespeare highlight this era in England

Leonardo Da Vinci • Renaissance Man: A wise person talented in many fields with various skills and abilities. • Lived 1452 – 1519 - an intelligent, handsome and charming Italian • “His abilities were so extraordinary that he could readily solve every difficulty” • An Accomplished: Singer – Mountain Climber – Ornithologist – Inventor – Writer – Painter – Mathematician – Musician – Conversationalist

The Original Renaissance Man • One flaw, so curious that he would often abandon one project for another • Less than twenty completed paintings survive • Conceived of ideas vastly ahead of his own time, notably inventing the helicopter, a tank, solar power, the calculator, the theory of plate tectonics, and others • Greatly advanced the state of knowledge in the fields of anatomy, astronomy, civil engineering, optics and the study of water

Leonardo da Vinci: The Man Who Wanted to Know Everything • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rog5i2n1QVs

Raphael – Key Details • Considered “Most Popular” of the Big 3 (Trinity of Great Renaissance Masters) • Hired by the Pope to decorate the Vatican at 26 • Was a devoted Ladies’ Man, and Mentor • Died of Illness on his 37th Birthday

Raphael – Key Works • Resurrection of Christ • * School of Athens • Sistine Madonna • Portrait of Pope Julius II

Michelangelo – Key Details • Hired by the Medici @ 15 • Held in high regard, but preferred to live in solitude • Talented as a sculptor and a painter, but viewed sculpture as a superior art • Worked alone on 10,000 sq. ft. Sistine Chapel ceiling but finished in 4 years

Michelangelo – Key Works • Sistine Chapel

Michaelangelo Pieta

Michaelangelo David

Michaelangelo • The Last Judgment (part of the Sistine Chapel)

Donatello – Key Details • Born to an Artisan and trained by Martelli Family • Got his start as a Goldsmith • Primarily a sculptor • Traveled to Rome to study 1404-1407, greatly influencing direction of Renaissance Art

Donatello – Key Works • David

Donatello – Key works Magdalene Penitent

Donatello – key works • Statue of St. John The Baptist • St. Mark

Art of the Renaissance