Art Exam 1 Study Guide

Annunciation, Nativity, and Adoration of the Shepherds ca.1260

Made by Nicola Pisano for the baptistry pulpit in Pisa, with the medium being marble. The structure is a sculptural relief.

Sarcophagus (Third Century)

If you were a prestigious person or like a war general, you could be celebrated in one of these. We saw a roman sarcophagus in class. (Coffin)

St. Francis Altarpiece, 1235 (Italo-Byzantine)

Made by Berlinghieri. It was made to show his fans St Francis’ divinity and connection to religion, not realistic. Appears like a spirit, golden, elongated, with stigmatas on his feet/hands. Medium: Was a wood panel, where the paint was Tempera with golden leaves added.

Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets ca. 1280-1290

Made by Giovanni Cimabue, uses hierarchy of scale (It isn’t just this one, just wanted to point out so you recognize)

Hierarchy of scale

Centering or enlarging the main figure in art, like most of the art shown so far, the main figure is centered and enlarged

Madonna Enthroned “All Saints” Altarpiece, ca. 1310

Painted by Giotto

Arena Chapel (Scrovegni) Padua Italy, 1305-1306

Made by Giotto. The fresco method of painting was used, deep blue.

• Top - Lives of the Virgin Mary and her parents

• Middle - Scenes from the life and mission of Jesus

• Bottom - His passion and resurrection

The Lamentation

Made by Giotto. The “cast” includes: Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, and the random filler mfs

• There wasn't a lot of emotionalism in art during this time period, but he did it here for the relatability within the artwork.

• No hierarchy of scale, as it just deletes relatability 

• Individualized body language and facial expressions

• Foreshortening for depth (angels look like they inhabit the space)

Pietro Lorenzetti

The Birth of The Virgin, 1342

The art is a triptych (three part panel painting)

Hall of Peace (Siena, Italy)

City hall building with murals painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in fresco. The murals include the Peaceful City and the Peaceful Country.

Peaceful City (1338-1339)

Mural painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti using the fresco method. One of the murals in the Hall of Peace

Robert Campin (Master of Flemalle)

The Merode Altarpiece, 1425

Painted with oil paint. There is a shit ton of details, along with symbolism. Purify + Divine mission, there were lots of symbolism

15th Century Renaissance in the North: the Burgundian Netherlands

• Apparently, they started to use oil paints during this time, and since it took a long time to dry, it allowed for more detail

• Early renaissance had a shit ton of symbolism

• Flanders (Silicone Valley of Europe) is a region - “Flemish” is the adjective

Ghent Altarpiece 1432

(Hubert) and Jan van Eyck created this panel art piece with oil paint, 12ft by 15ft.

Jesus being the Lamb represents the sacrifice he made, since animals were sacrificed during this time.

Amolfini Wedding Portrait, 1434

Painted by Jan Van Eyck using oil paint.

• Fruits (oranges) represent wealth. They also have seeds, which also points to fertility.

• St. Margaret, she is there because she is the patron saint of childbirth

• Jan Van Eyck also signed it, right above the mirror in the back

Jan Van Eyck self Portrait 1433

• Whenever someone entered his art area, they saw his self portrait

• It was also supposed to be a little bit imperfect, like showing himself at work like he has some stumbles on his face not clean shaven

Guilds

Where you would apprentice with a professional and learn. They didn’t have universities for stuff like that I assume. They were also like unions almost

Sacrifice of Isaac 1401 (Loser)

Brunelleschi’s entry in the east door competition in (French Gothic quatrefoil frame a medieval holdover) (cast bronze, old testament)

Sacrifice of Isaac 1401 (Winner)

Ghiberti’s entry for the east door competition in (French Gothic quatrefoil frame a medieval holdover) (cast bronze, old testament)

• 1st “classical” nude since Antiquity, appreciation of the human body, he made them look muscular

• Ghiberti won due to the classical motifs, illusionism of depth, dramatic intensity, and the artisan virtuosity

Linear Perspective

Horizon line, vanishing point, and orthogonals (diagonal lines) which all give an illusion of depth/perspective - thanks to Brunelleschi

Atmospheric perspective (Aerial perspective)

the farther back an object, the blurrier, less detailed, and bluer it appears

Gates of Paradise 1425-1452

East doors, Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence made by Ghiberti. It is the entire door.

Saint Mark 1411-1413

• Sculpted by Donatello, he reintroduces Greek contrapposto stance to statuary

• Guild headquarters had artists sculpt their patrons’ saint, basically like their mascot

David (Medici Family) 1440-1460

• Fully nude sculpture by Donatello

• About the biblical character David, from David vs. Goliath

• Laurel wreath - Was put on victors, a symbol of victory

Holy Trinity 1425

Painting by Masaccio

• “I was once what you are, and what I am you will become”

• Classical coffered ceiling inside a painted barrel vaulted, fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and columns

• Used linear perspective

Birth of Venus 1484

Painted by Botticelli

• Personification - Ideas in human form, learned this in english

• Tempera was used for this painting