Renaissance

1. Renaissance 1400 - 1600

2. Facts • Renaissance is the French word for rebirth • It was a rebirth of interest in classical learning • Painters studied works of Greece and Rome • Printing press was invented • Explorers brought Europeans in contact with other parts of the world • Trade and commerce created large wealthy middle class • The Renaissance style of painting began with Italy then spread to other parts of Europe. • The Catholic Church was the most concept important patron • Religion was the most important subject of the time • Oil painting was invented • Canvas allowed painters to roll and transport works, so the buying and selling of art grew. • Italian architect and sculptor developed the mathematical rules of linear or scientific perspective • Grand subject matter, bright, pure colors, and formal composition

3. MasaccioThe Madonna of Humility Artist: • Considered to be the founder of Renaissance painting • 26 or 27 when he died • 1st painter to use techniques of linear perspective • Many works were frescoes on church walls. • It is said, people ran out in fear when they saw his painting, “The Holy Trinity”, because they believed they were really seeing Jesus on the Cross. They weren’t used to such realism. • Used a single light source. • Painting: • Light shines from top and front • Tempera on wood panel • Symbols= Blue is purity and holiness. • Gold-Gods presence • Red- high status. • Haloes- holiness (even on dove) • Dove-the holy spirit. • Rays of light from dove- holy • Spirit flowing down on Madonna

4. Master of the Saint Lucy LegendMary, Queen of Heaven Artist: • We don’t know the artist’s name so it given title of " Master of” one of the works he is known for. • Created 30 works about the life of Saint Lucy. • Paintings include oval faces with reserved expressions, intense color, elaborate detail of texture. Paintings: • Decorated church altar, 6’x5’= large • Crowded with figures and activity • Color moves us through the paintings • Red of gown draws attention to Mary. • Vertical line of gown draws our attention upwards to God and Jesus. • Contrast of greens set Mary apart. • White gowns keep our eyes moving. • Formal composition helps emphasize to the main subject, Mary. • Musical instruments are accurate representations of instruments during the artist time. • Sheet music in detail so you can read notes. • A dove above Mary’s crown.

5. Filippino LippiSaint Jerome in his Study Artist • Filippino means little Filippo • Son of a famous artist • One of his first commissions was to finish works that Masaccio didn’t finish before his death, and you couldn’t tell which was which. Paintings • St. Jerome known for translating the Bible into Latin • Smooth painting on wood panel. Can’t see brush strokes • Lines on the table are actually cut in into the wood. • Horizontal and vertical lines organize the composition and separates the viewer from the subject, keeping us apart from this holy and important man. • Straight lines contrast with the curves in the robe • Contrast of lines and texture adds interest • Red and neutral tones

6. Albrecht Durer Portrait of a Clergyman • Artist: • Son and grandson of goldsmiths • German • Scholar, poet, and one of the best woodcut engravers of all time. • Converted to Protestant religion ,but still had Catholic patrons. • First artist to do a series of self portraits. Earliest work was a self portrait at the age of 13. • Gives great attention to detail and realism. • Portraits famed for accuracy, a sense of character, and personality • Liked to experiment with materials. Worked on linen and silk sometimes. • First to use watercolor seriously. • Painting: • On parchment (animal skin) which adds to the smoothness and richness of color. • Position an expression shows the man is more concerned with thoughts and religious goals than anything else. • Dark, plain clothing adds to the seriousness. • Great detail…can even see the reflection of window panes in the sitter’s eyes.

7. Sebastiano del PiomboAnton Francesco degli Albizzi Artist: • Italian • Considered most gifted portrait painter in Rome. • Del Piombo refers to his appointment for the Catholic Pope as the keeper of the Papal seals. The seals are made of lead which is “piombo” in Italian. • After his appointment to this well paying position, he became less active as a painter. Painting: • 3xs the size of Durer’s portrait and also different because of clothing, pose, and texture. • Albizzi, a wealthy Florentine nobleman, commissioned this work as a record of his social status and power as well as his appearance. • ¾ length portriat • Vertical lines of the fur trim suggests strength and power. • Elaborate robe and rich fabric indicates wealth. • Pose suggests he feels more important than other people.

8. Paolo VeroneseThe Annunciation Artist: • Called Veronese because his is from the city of Verona. Real name is Paolo Caliari. • Considered to be one of the greatest Venetion painters of the 16th century. • Venice painters emphasized light and color • Questioned by the Inquisition because the felt he added too many unsuitable details and improper figures ina painting of the last supper, so they renamed it to a less Important feast. Painting: • An altarpiece half as large a Mary, Queen of Heaven. Probably meant for a private chapel. • Shows Mary hearing from the angel, Gabriel, about bearing Jesus. • The architecture is from the artist’s time, but the clothing is from theirs. • Flickering effects of light, shadow, and muted shimmering colors are typical of the Veronese style. • Curving lines of clothing separate Mary and Gabriel from their surroundings giving them our attention. • Solid forms and architecture suggests permanence and order.

9. El Greco Saint Martin and the Beggar Artist: • Spanish, but born on the island of Crete. • El Greco means “the Greek” • Most subjects were religious • Used dark outlining to define figures and add drama • Famous during lifetime, but fell out of fashion. Took over 300 years before his art was recognized again. • Figures are elongated and stretched. Painting: • St Martin was a Calvary officer serving under Constantine the Great. He came upon a beggar in the cold and gave him half of his cloak. Christ appeared to him in a dream and told him. “What you have done for him, you have done for me.” • 6’ x 3’ • Point of View is like we are looking up at them making them larger • Used deliberate distortion to create a spiritual or “other worldly” impression • Used variety of brush strokes from detailed to loose