Maddox ARTH 206 Midterm

The patronage of what group contributed significantly to the great outpouring of learning and creativity in the fifteenth century, and what did they support?

The prosperous middle class gave patronage to the great outpouring to learning and creativity supported scholarship, literature, and the arts.

How is interest in the natural world reflected in 15th century Northern European art?

detailed, realistic depictions of landscapes, objects, and people, often using oil paint to capture textures and details, and incorporating symbolic meanings of plants and animals

Explain urban lay public and common sense values of merchants influence

led to a shift from solely religious or royal commissions to art reflecting community pride and secular themes, as well as the emergence of new patrons and artistic styles

why was support for Carthusian monastery a demonstration of political power?

it involved significant resources and influence, and could be seen as a way to gain favor with the Church and potentially exert influence on religious and political matters

Iconography of Melchior Broederlam altarpiece? In what ways do details reflect humanism? What non biblical texts?

specifically the Crucifixion Altarpiece, depicts the life of Christ from conception to burial, with the exterior panels showing the Annunciation, Visitation, Presentation in the Temple, and Flight into Egypt. Humanistic details include the naturalistic depiction of figures and architecture, and the use of oil paint, reflecting a move towards realism and individual expression. Revelations of Saint Bridget

What type of perspective in the Broederlam altarpiece?

intuitive, rising

Predella?

a step or platform on which an altar is placed.

Figures in Well of Moses exemplify what 15th century interest?

The interest with highly individualized figures, abandoning highly idealized faces, elongated, etc

Totum Simul

Latin for "everything at the same time"

Limbourg brothers show peasants in a light acceptable to aristocrats. Explain

He showed them happily working for the nobles benefit or displaying an uncouth lifestyle for aristocratic amusement

Dimunition

a principle of perspective that describes how objects appear smaller as they move away from the viewer.

Mary of Burgundy vision on what devotional practice and what response

personal vision inspired by her private meditations

Attend to the way the names of the two figures in the left panel of the Merode Altarpiece might be connected to the Annunciation and the representation of Joseph in the right panel. (from the lectures)

the messagner relates to Gabriel

girl holding prayer beads relates to Saint Christopher, the woman hopes to bear a child (like Mary)

Study formal features of merode altarpiece

has both flemish and gothic:

Flemish features: the complex treatment of light (The light coming in the window, with Christ being carried with it, rests on Mary's dress, linking God with Mary, and signaling the virginal conception of Jesus)

Northern Renaissance features(gothic): it being set in spatial settings and is concerned with individual personality.

Light passing through glass in annunciation metaphor?

symbolizes Mary's perpetual virginity and the divine nature of Jesus' conception

Ghent Altarpiece iconography? composition?

iconography centered on the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, with scenes of the Annunciation and other biblical narratives, and is composed of 12 panels that fold against each other, revealing a spiritual guidebook to divine revelation.

how does deposition intensify empathy? humanism? salient formal features?

- He made the figures press forward into viewers space, allowing no escape from forceful expressions of sorrow and mourning

- body language, facial expressions show heart rendering grief

- It links concern for individual expression of emotion to this 15th century humanism

Iconography of deposition

Potential for the dramatic to personally engage viewers Because the images are so large, and engraved, it forces the viewers to empathize and feel the sorrow coming from Jesus' mourning friends and mother. Mary positioned in the same way as Jesus shows that she shares in his suffering and "redemptive passion" on the cross.

Skull in deposition refers to what place and person?

Adam and the Garden of Eden, man's original sin and Christ's sacrifice for salvation

Roger van der Weyden's Deposition is another example of a totum simul? Explain.

connects the original sin (skull) as the beginning of time and Christ's death as the end (plus later on, rebirth)

Hugo van der Goes establish center as focal how?

light, gestures, and line of sight

What is the source for the way Mary and the Christ child are represented?

the visionary writing of St. Bridget: describes Mary kneeling to Christ child immediately after birth

In the introduction to "France" one finds several characteristics of Flemish art. What are they?

symbolism, visionary meaning, atmospheric space, color

The two earliest types of prints are woodcuts and engravings. By what processes are they created? Refer to the relevant text box.

woodcuts: images are carved out of wood, a roller rolls ink/pigment/paints on the carved wood and it is pressed onto a surface, creating a print

engravings: directly inscribing surfaces with a sharp tool to create images

the lines in Martin Schongauer's Demons Tormenting Saint Anthony. Compare these lines with those of the Buxheim St. Christopher to discern the characteristics that distinguish engravings from woodcuts.

Schongauer's engraving "Demons Tormenting Saint Anthony" showcases finer, more detailed lines and textures than the Buxheim St. Christopher woodcut, highlighting the greater precision and versatility of engraving techniques.

To what did the humanists turn to for inspiration and instruction? What were their aims and what was their impact on the arts?

Renaissance humanists looked to classical antiquity (ancient Greece and Rome) for inspiration and instruction, aiming to improve society and human potential through the study of classical texts and arts, which had a profound impact on art, leading to more realistic portrayals and human-centric themes.

Italian artists undertook to represent physical reality in significantly different ways than "northern" artists. What distinguishes the former approaches from that of the latter? As you read the chapter, be alert for terms such as analysis, perfected figures, classical harmony, rational space, and interest in mathematics.)

Italian Renaissance artists focused on classical ideals, humanism, and scientific perspective to achieve realism, while Northern Renaissance artists emphasized realism, detail, and everyday life, often using oil paint and exploring religious and domestic themes.

Read the section "The Competition Reliefs" and compare the sculpture's formal features. These reliefs are important for this course, so be sure to take good notes when these works are presented in the lectures.

Ghiberti's panel features a continuous, unified composition with a calm and naturalistic style, while Brunelleschi's panel is more rugged and explosive, with a focus on dramatic action and individual figures

"The Foundling Hospital" designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

Filippo Brunelleschi designed the loggia of the Foundling Hospital (Ospedale degli Innocenti) in Florence, Italy, a building that served as an orphanage and is considered a landmark of early Renaissance architecture.

How did Masaccio's approach to representing the human body differ from the Flemish approach? What was he concerned with in his representation of the individual and of humanity? You will need to read all of the section on Masaccio, pp. 622-626, to arrive at a complete answer.

In summary, Masaccio's approach was characterized by a focus on realism, perspective, and the human form, while the Flemish approach emphasized detail, symbolism, and narrative within a more two-dimensional style.

what was Donatello's approach to relief sculpture as seen in base of St. George Niche

Donatello invented his own bold new mode of relief in his marble panel St. George Killing the Dragon (1416-17). Known as schiacciato ("flattened out")

compare Castagno's and DaVinci's "Last Supper"

Castagno's "Last Supper" fresco, an early Renaissance work, is characterized by its ornate architectural details and a more flat, two-dimensional feel, while Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper," a High Renaissance masterpiece, uses one-point linear perspective and naturalistic figures to create a sense of depth and emotion, focusing on the moment of betrayal

The meaning of Primavera by Sandro Botticelli incorporates what Neoplatonic ideas?

The Neoplatonic philosophers saw Venus as ruling over both Earthly and divine love and argued that she was the classical equivalent of the Virgin Mary; this is alluded to by the way she is framed in an altar-like setting that is similar to contemporary images of the Virgin Mary.

What is the iconography of Primavera and what may the theme of the painting be?

Botticelli's Primavera features a rich iconography centered around the arrival of spring, love, and fertility, with figures like Venus, the Three Graces, and Zephyrus, all symbolizing different aspects of nature and the human experience. The painting's theme is widely interpreted as a celebration of spring, love, and the renewal of nature.

What fresco by what artist "began a long tradition of illusionistic ceiling painting"? He used what technique to create this "tour de force of radical perspective"?

Andrea Mantegna's frescos in the Camera degli Sposi (also known as the Camera Picta) in the Ducal Palace in Mantua, Italy, are considered to have "began a long tradition of illusionistic ceiling painting". He used the technique of di sotto in su ("from below upwards") to create a "tour de force of radical perspective".

Who was the supervising artist for the newly built Sistine Chapel? His Crucifixion with Saints is a wonderful work and is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Giovannino de Dolci

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa embodies which hallmarks of the High Renaissance style?

balanced composition, naturalistic depiction of the human form, use of sfumato for soft transitions, and atmospheric perspective in the landscape background.

"Europe in the Sixteenth Century." Potentially, exam questions could be based on this section.

The status of the artist in the sixteenth century changes. Explain comprehensively (thoroughly).

the status of artists evolved from mere craftsmen to individuals of genius, with a growing recognition of their unique talent and intellectual capacity, influenced by humanism and a shift in societal values.

how did the status of artists abstract women's participation in visual arts?

the status of artists, often viewed as a male-dominated field, marginalized women's participation in visual arts, leading to their exclusion from the art world and a skewed representation of art history.

What is the iconography of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci?

Key Iconographic Elements:

Dramatic Moment:

The painting deviates from the traditional depiction of the Last Supper as the institution of the Eucharist, instead focusing on the moment when Jesus announces that one of his apostles will betray him.

Apostles' Reactions:

Leonardo masterfully portrays the apostles' individual reactions to Jesus's announcement, showcasing a range of emotions like shock, fear, anger, and doubt.

Judas is depicted in a way that distinguishes him from the other apostles, with some interpretations suggesting he is shown in the shadows or with symbolic objects like a purse containing the silver he will receive for his betrayal.

Jesus's Centrality:

Jesus is positioned in the center of the composition, his body forming a triangle, and his serene presence contrasts with the chaos surrounding him, emphasizing his divinity and the unity of the composition.

Symbolic Use of Light and Shadow:

The use of light and shadow is symbolic, with the light source coming from an unseen window to the right, symbolizing the presence of God in the scene.

Linear Perspective:

Leonardo employs linear perspective, a technique rediscovered in the Renaissance, to create the illusion of depth and draw the viewer's attention towards the main subject, Jesus.

Landscape:

The landscape in the background, rendered with aerial perspective, is often interpreted as paradise, suggesting that the heavenly sanctuary can only be reached through Christ.

The formal features of Leonardo's The Virgin of the Rocks and the Last Supper are representative of several characteristics of art in the early sixteenth century. What are these?

High Renaissance characteristics, including psychological complexity, dramatic focus through perspective, symbolism, and scientifically accurate detail, particularly in the depiction of the human figure.

In what ways can the Raphael's School of Athens be considered a summary of the Renaissance papacy?

it celebrates the intellectual and artistic revival of classical knowledge, blending pagan and Christian ideals, and reflects the humanist interests of the era, all within the context of the papal court.

status of color with respect to line as expressed by DaVinci?

color takes priority

what formal function did Sfumato serve?

softening the transition between colors, mimicking an area beyond what the human eye is focusing on, or the out-of-focus plane.

What are the salient formal features of the composition of the School of Athens?

features a grand, architecturally detailed space with a one-point perspective, a vanishing point between Plato and Aristotle, and figures arranged in a semi-circular setting, all contributing to a sense of depth and intellectual grandeur.

Read for understanding the text box "A Broader Look: Raphael's Cartoons for Tapestries in the Sistine Chapel."

refers to Raphael's designs for tapestries, not frescoes, that were intended for the Sistine Chapel, depicting scenes from the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and commissioned by Pope Leo X.

What is a pietà?

a Christian art subject that depicts Mary holding the body of Jesus after his death.

Compare the formal differences between Michelangelo's David with Donatello's and Bernini's sculptures of the same subject. This distinction may be very important for the exams.

Michelangelo's David is a large, marble sculpture depicting a pre-battle, heroic, and idealized figure, while Donatello's is a smaller, bronze sculpture showing a youthful David after victory, and Bernini's is a dynamic, Baroque sculpture of David in mid-action, emphasizing emotion and movement.

Describe the formal features of the Tempietto and how they are arranged to create a harmonious whole.

The Tempietto, designed by Donato Bramante, features a harmonious blend of classical elements like a centralized, circular plan, Doric columns, a stepped base, and a hemispherical dome. These elements are arranged to create a balanced and unified structure, reflecting Renaissance ideals of order and beauty.

What were the advantages of using oils on canvas?

rich, durable colors, flexibility for blending and layering, and a long-lasting, stable surface, making it a favored medium for centuries.

What is new and significant in Giorgione's paintings?

innovative use of landscape as a primary element, emphasizing atmospheric effects and poetic imagery rather than solely focusing on figures or religious narratives

new composition for the Pesaro Madonna. What are these new elements in pictorial composition and what compositional features become characteristic of seventeenth-century art?

introduced an innovative, asymmetrical composition with a diagonal axis, departing from the traditional center-focused altarpiece, and foreshadowed the Baroque period's dynamic techniques,

Where do professional retail "color sellers" first appear?

Venice in the early sixteenth century.

Study closely the formal features of Michelangelo's Last Judgement and Titian's Pietà (rf. MDID). Compare the differences in brushstroke and color.

Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" features dynamic, Manneristic brushstrokes and a vibrant, almost chaotic palette, while Titian's "Pietà" (MDID) employs looser, more expressive brushstrokes and a darker, more somber color palette,

Venetian artists expanded on what techniques initiated by Giorgione and Titian?

emphasizing "colorito" (using color to create forms) and pioneering the use of oil painting on canvas

What are the general characteristics of Mannerism

characterized by artificial elegance, elongated figures, and complex compositions, rejecting the harmony and balance of the High Renaissance in favor of intellectual sophistication and virtuosity.

Study Bronzino's exquisite Portrait of Eleanora of Toledo for its composition, brushwork and the means of defining the character of the subject.

showcases a Mannerist style, with its composition emphasizing Eleonora's status and power, while the brushwork highlights the textures of her elaborate attire, and her character is conveyed through a combination of idealized features and subtle details.

Bronzino's Allegory with Venus and Cupid manifest what Mannerist characteristics?

intricate compositions, exaggerated figure proportions, and a general sense of artificiality or strangeness.

Where in Italy do we more frequently encounter woman artists? Learn the name of two and read about their lives.

During the early modern period, Bologna in Italy fostered a particularly large and successful group of women artists, more so than other cities in the region. Two notable examples are Lavinia Fontana and Elisabetta Sirani, both from Bologna, who achieved fame and success in their careers.

Lavinia Fontana: Italian Mannerist painter active in Bologna and Rome. She is best known for her successful portraiture, but also worked in the genres of mythology and religious painting. She was trained by her father, Prospero Fontana.

Elisabetta Sirani: Italian Baroque painter and printmaker who died in unexplained circumstances at the age of 27. She was one of the first women artists in early modern Bologna, who established an academy for other women artists.

Study closely and very seriously the formal differences between the paintings of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci and Tintoretto and study the compositional features of the painting by Tintoretto. What are the differences in mood between these two works and how is the mood created in each?

Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is characterized by a balanced, symmetrical composition with a calm, almost contemplative mood, while Tintoretto's version is dynamic, asymmetrical, and dramatic, creating a sense of immediacy and chaos.

Where are the vanishing and focal points in each of these paintings of the Last Supper

In Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," the vanishing point, a key element of one-point perspective, is located behind Jesus' head, drawing the viewer's eye to him, the central figure and focal point of the painting.

In Tintoretto's "Last Supper," the vanishing point is located at the arch behind the canal and the focal point is Christ, the figure at the center of the painting.

The character of the brushwork in Tintoretto's Last Supper, Giorgione's The Tempest, and Titian's Pietà is very important for the history of art and will be covered in the lectures.

Tintoretto's Last Supper

His brushwork is characterized by visible, pronounced brushstrokes, creating a sense of energy and movement. This approach, which some art historians consider Mannerist, sets him apart from his contemporaries like Titian and Veronese, who favored more finished, polished brushwork.

Giorgione's The Tempest

Giorgione's The Tempest is a foundational work of the Venetian Renaissance, and his brushwork is considered to be a precursor to Mannerism. His focus on natural landscapes and the human figure, combined with his loose and expressive brushwork, influenced later Mannerist painters like Tintoretto.

Titian's Pietà

known for his mastery of color and his more refined brushwork style, which is evident in his Pietà. His brushwork is characterized by a smooth, almost velvety texture, which contrasts with the more dramatic and expressive brushwork of Tintoretto.

What were the effects of increasing literacy and the printing press on reformers and scholars?

enabling the rapid and widespread dissemination of ideas, challenging established authorities, and fostering new intellectual movements.

Study very carefully the iconography of the Isenheim Altarpiece.

uses a powerful and visceral iconography to depict the suffering of Christ and offer solace to patients, particularly those afflicted with ergotism, through images of pain, healing, and hope.

The mystical visions of a particular female saint was a significant source for imagery in art. Who is this saint and what features in the Isenheim Altarpiece reflect her writings?

St. Bridget of Sweden. Specifically, the altarpiece's depiction of the Crucifixion, with its focus on the suffering and wounds of Christ, reflects Bridget's detailed and morbid visions of Christ's Passion.

The engraving Adam and Eve by Dürer expresses what medieval theory of human temperaments, and what is the ultimate source for the proportions of Adam and Eve?

through the symbolism of the surrounding animals, expresses the medieval theory of the four human temperaments, and the proportions of Adam and Eve are based on Dürer's study of classical canons of human proportions, particularly those of Vitruvius and Andrea Mantegna.

Study the composition of Albrecht Altdorfer's Danube Landscape. This is an early example of what kind of painting, lacking what previously established features and significance?

Albrecht Altdorfer's "Danube Landscape" is an early example of a "pure landscape" painting, lacking the traditional focus on historical or religious narratives and instead celebrating nature as the primary subject, a style that would later become characteristic of the Danube School.

subject and formal features of El Greco's Burial of Count Orgaz and the View of Toledo. Whose portraits are to be found in the former?

depicts a miraculous burial scene, juxtaposing heaven and earth, and includes portraits of local aristocracy and religious figures, while "View of Toledo" showcases a dark, moody landscape of the city.

Read attentively the section "Pieter Bruegel the Elder."

Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1525-1569) was a Northern Renaissance artist known for his visually engrossing paintings that celebrated the common people, focusing on themes like rural life, religion, and social issues with a unique blend of humor and observation.

Study very carefully the iconography of The Fall of Icarus by Pieter Bruegel. (The image is in MDID.) What are two sources for the iconography? (From the lectures)

The iconography of Bruegel's "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" draws heavily from the myth of Icarus and Daedalus as told by Roman poet Ovid in his Metamorphoses, and also from the Netherlandish tradition of depicting contrasting states of sin and piety as seen in the work of Hieronymus Bosch.