Renaissance Art

Ms. StilesWorld Civilizations

Basic Features of Renaissance Art

• Classicism:– Respect for Greco-Roman art, literature,

architecture & philosophy• Ex: Michelangelo’s David

• Secularism:– Focuses on worldly ideas & topics instead of

just religion– Seen more in the Northern Renaissance than

in the Italian Renaissance• Ex: Pieter Brueghel The Elder Hunters in the Snow

Basic Features of Renaissance Art

• Scholarship:– Dealing with reason, curiosity, and

experimentation• Ex: Raphael’s The School of Athens

• Individualism:– Showing the dignity & worth of

individuals• Ex: Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

Differences Between Medieval & Renaissance Art

• Medieval Art:– All art is a portrait or religiously based• Usually portraits of rich or religious figures

– Unscientific:• No Shadows or depth• Unrealistic figures

– No free standing sculpture– No Nudes

Medieval Art• Madonna & Child Giotto 1320-1330

Differences Between Renaissance Art & Medieval Art• Renaissance Art:• Variety of subjects

– Doesn’t have to be religious or a portrait– Can be anything mostly related to human life

• Scientific:– 3D figures– Depth & shading– Expressive

• Free Standing Sculptures– Greco-Roman influence

• Nudes

Leonardo Da VinciThe Last Supper

• Fresco-oil & tempera on plaster– Applied to dry plaster (not wet, like it was supposed

to be) & the paint didn’t take fresco permanently damaged

• Located on the north wall of a Dominican monastery wanted the painting to look like it was happening in the room

• Each apostle is grouped based on their reaction to Christ saying he will be betrayed– 4 groups (shock, anger, denial, etc.)

• Christ is the central figure – Vanishing point is above his head– Seated & associated with the setting sun

The Last SupperLeonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci Mona Lisa

• World’s best known portrait– Most likely the wife of Francesco del Giocondo

• Figure shaped as a pyramid– Reflected in the mountains in the background

• Folds of her dress mimicked by roads & rivers• Background & facial features are intentionally blurry

– Shaved eyebrows & forehead were the fashion for women in the 15th century makes her look ageless & genderless

• Smokey painting technique– Sfumato building color on color

Mona LisaLeonardo Da Vinci

Donatello David

• First life-sized free standing male nude since ancient times

• Feminine figure– Hands on his hips; soft features

• Shows an “underdog” story– An unassuming boy taking down a giant– Skill vs. strength

• Reflection of Greco-Roman influence

David Donatello

Michelangelo David

• Compared to Donatello’s– Donatello: Lean & unassuming; after battle–Michelangelo: Defiant; before battle

• Classically inspired– Greek marble statue influence

• Carved from a massive chunk of marble that no one else wanted to touch

• 17 feet tall– Even bigger on his platform

DavidMichelangelo

Michelangelo Creation of Adam

• Sistine Chapel; commissioned by Pope Julius II

• Biblical narrative– Struggle between good & evil

• Painted while standing– Caused bodily injury & discomfort

• Adam = earthbound & uninterested • God = actively moving towards Adam

infuses Adam with a soul

Creation of AdamMichelangelo

Raphael School of Athens

• Also known as Philosophy• Humanistic

– Continuing pursuit of knowledge & truth• Located in St. Peter’s Basilica 26 x 18 feet• Fresco oil & tempera on wet plaster• Divided into 2 philosophical camps (Aristotle’s &

Plato’s; Aristotle is on the left, Plato on the right)• Raphael used his friends as models for the

philosophers– Da Vinci = Plato, Bramante = Euclid, Michelangelo

=Heraclitus

Titian Venus of Urbino

• Painted for the Duke of Urbino• Ambiguous meaning she

could be a bride or a prostitute • The flowers are a reference to

the goddess Venus• Maids in the chest & the dog

represent fidelity

Venus of UrbinoTitian

Differences Between the Italian Renaissance & the

Northern Renaissance• Italian Renaissance:– Realism– Perspective– Classical inspiration (Greco-Roman)– Religious influence & subject matter–More of a focus on high society

Differences Between the Italian Renaissance & the

Northern Renaissance:• Northern Renaissance:– Use of oils– Love of detail– Landscapes– Everyday life– Symbolism to represent religion– Realistic depictions of people– Focus on peasant life

Jan Van EyckThe Arnolfini Wedding Portrait

• Arnolfini was a representative of the Medici Bank in Bruges• The detail in the portrait is a hallmark of Northern

Renaissance painting• Details:

– Convex mirror (reflects the back of the couple, Van Eyck, and a witness of the wedding)

– “Van Eyck was here”– Fruit = wedding & the Garden of Eden– Dog = fidelity– Dusting brush = wife’s household duties– Wife looks pregnant, but isn’t; pulled up green dress is a symbol of

fertility– Shoes = sacred ground & ceremony– Candle = divine presence of Christ

The Arnolfini Wedding PortraitJan Van Eyck

Pieter Brueghel Hunters in the Snow

• Northern Renaissance painting• Shows daily peasant life• Different from Italian Renaissance Art

Hunters in the SnowPieter Brueghel The Elder

Hans HolbeinHenry VIII

• Portrait of English King Henry VIII• Painted later in his reign• Designed to show his physical &

political power• Holbein was famous for his portraits,

especially of Henry VIII & members of his court

Henry VIIIHans Holbein