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
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