renaissance art techniques and concepts

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17 Terms

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humanism

the focus on human potential and achievements

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individualism

celebrating the uniqueness of individuals

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realism

a desire to represent the world as accurately as possible

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classicalism

an art style that draws from the culture and art of Ancient Greece and Rome

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naturalism

type of art that pays attention to very accurate and precise details, portraying things as they are

  • represents people’s actions as if it were a snapshot

  • in paintings, you would usually see this through many people doing things

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secularism

art that has no religious reference points and is, in fact, oblivious to organized religion

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linear perspective

artists developed the use of linear perspective to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. this technique made scenes appear more realistic and three-dimensional

  • developed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the early 1400s

  • involves the use of vanishing points, where parallel lines converge

  • allowed artists to represent space and architecture with accuracy

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chiaroscuro (light and shadow)

refers to the dramatic contrast between light and dark, giving figures a three-dimensional appearance

  • enhances the realism of figures and objects

  • creates depth and a sense of volume

  • used to highlight emotions and focus attention on key elements of a painting

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sfumato (soft blending)

the technique of blending colors and tones so subtly that they fade into one another without harsh outlines, creating a smoky or hazy effect

  • Leonardo da Vinci is credited with perfecting this technique (seen in the Mona Lisa)

  • often used for skin tones and atmospheric backgrounds

  • adds a lifelike softness and subtle transitions between light and shadow

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foreshortening

the technique of depicting objects or figures in a picture as they appear to the eye when viewed from a distance or angle, often to create dramatic effects

  • adds depth and realism, especially in dynamic poses

  • used to make figures look like they’re receding into space

  • emphasizes perspective in the human form

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anatomy and proportion

Renaissance artists studied human anatomy to create more accurate and proportional representations of the human body. this focus on anatomy allowed artists to render the human form with unprecedented realism

  • artists like Leonardo da Vinci dissected bodies to understand muscle and bone structure

  • proportions of the human body were carefully calculated

  • the idealized human form was central to many Renaissance artworks

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fresco painting

a technique where pigments are applied to wet plaster so that the paint becomes an integral part of the wall surface. this technique was used for large-scale murals and ceilings

  • popular during the Italian Renaissance for decorating churches and public buildings

  • famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael used this method for large compositions

  • requires quick, precise work, as the plaster dries quickly

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contrapposto

a pose in which the weight of the human body is balanced on one leg, with the other leg relaxed. this technique gives figures a more dynamic, lifelike appearance

  • introduced in classical antiquity, but revived during the Renaissance

  • shows a natural shift in body weight, making figures look more realistic

  • often used in sculptures to enhance the sense of movement and grace

  • NEVER seen in paintings, statues only

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use of color and oil paints

Renaissance artists began using oil paints, which allowed for richer colors, greater detail, and more subtle gradations of tone. oil paints also dried more slowly, giving artists more time to refine their work

  • increased flexibility in layering and blending colors

  • led to vibrant, durable artworks with fine details

  • allowed for more realistic skin tones and textures

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medieval art

  • flat

  • gold background

  • distorted figures

  • lack of emotion

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IMPORTANT INFO

Medieval vs. Renaissance: look at the background, Medieval is one flat color, Renaissance uses linear perspective

Northern vs. Italian: Northern artists used naturalism (snapshot) and religion, Italian artists made things look mythical and utilized classicalism (structure)

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realism vs. naturalism

portraying things as accurately as possible vs. portraying things exactly as they are