Week #10 High Renaissance

Cartoon

A full-scale drawing for a painting or tapestry, used to transfer the composition to the final medium

Chiaroscuro

The skillful handling of value to create the illusion of three-dimensional forms in a drawing or painting.

-Contrast between light and shadow

Example: Mona Lisa, Vinci, Renaissance (use of light and dark create art/3D)

Sfumato

A painting technique, largely developed by Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), in which the transitions from light to dark are so gradual that they are almost imperceptible. Leonardo wrote that “light and shade should blend without lines or borders in the manner of smoke.” 

-Gradual, soft transitions between light and shadow

-Example: Mona Lisa, Renaissance (soft, smoky, blending of colors)

Putti

A putto is a child-angel, usually depicted nude and winged. Frequently represented in Renaissance.

-Example→ School of Athens, Raphael (small, winged-child figures)

Iconoclasm

The intentional destruction of images, especially the religiously motivated destruction of sacred images

-Example (Isenheim altarpiece)

Albrecht Durer, Europe 16th century KNOW THIS ONE WELL

-Shows enough clothes-emphasizes status-wearing a rich red wool, cloak, fur collar

-emphasizes his skill by showing textures-of hair, fur, 

-Gives age + date: 28 & 1500

-Know for test

-Similar to Holy Face of Christ->both gives calm expression->represented himself in a godly way-not blasphemous but comparing ability to create

Wears expensive clothing, including a fur collar and red garment., Demonstrates his artistic skill through detailed textures His frontal pose resembles traditional representations of Christ.→Demonstrates the increasing status of artists as intellectuals and creative geniuses.

Garden of Earthly Delights, Bosch, Renissance

-A triptych is an artwork made of three panels→Tryptch!!. The panels fold closed. The outside shows the creation of the world. The inside depicts paradise, earthly pleasures, and hell.→Explores temptation, sin, pleasure, and consequences. Unlike many religious triptychs, it was intended for a domestic setting rather than a church.

Da Vinci: Last Supper, Renaissance

-Uses cartoon (full-scale drawing transferred to wall/panel before painting

ALSO uses one-point linear perspective.

The vanishing point is behind Christ's head., Creates the illusion that the viewer could step into the room. + Shows Christ announcing that one of the apostles will betray him. Emphasizes harmony, balance, and ideal composition.

Raphael: School of Athens, Renaissance
Uses Putti (small, winged chlid figures)

Both use perspective, but Leonardo’s Last supper depicts biblical event while Raphael’s School of Athens celebrates classical philosophy

-Has all intellectuals of Ancient world gathered together 

-incorporates portrait of people-self portraits & known artist

-Represents ancient Greek philosophers and intellectuals.

Plato and Aristotle are in the center. + Uses one-point perspective., Celebrates classical learning, philosophy, and humanism , Includes portraits of contemporary Renaissance artists in the figures.

Venus of Urbino, Renaissance

Nude woman-Usually: woman depicted as Eve in garden OR as personifications of lust

In late 15th century: Depictions of Ancient Greek goddesses appearing-one of most influential nudes in art history-depicted as ideal female nude-their beauty standards

-Dog in painting; possible symbol of loyalty, faith

-Has pearls: often seen symbol as purity

-Has woman w/ chests: would hold wedding dressings

-Painting: something to do with marriage; personification of ideal bride/goddess kind of figure=overall speaks to idea forms + -Glance->looking at audience-catches our eye and is engaging for artists/patrons later on

Michelangelo-David (Renaissance)

-Uses contrapposto, shows tension BEFORE defeating Goliath, has a more mature, musuclar figure

-Carved of Marble, big colossal figure

-Civic strength, heroic power→in public sqaure as symbol of Florence

Donatello-David (Renaissance)

-Younger adolescent figure, relaxed AFTER defeating Goliath, has more relaxed pose

-Made of Bronze, slender figure

-Victory through faith, intellect→Medici private patronage

Isenheim Altarpiece, Renaissance

-Crucification of Christ->meant to be viewed by those carried into church-horrific scene->Christ being put into tomb, being crucified, -visions of amputation

-Visions of crucifiction-painting depicts these visions->used to emphasize physical pain-Emphasizes for those suffering pain->shows son of God understands physical pain but there is salvation

-Uses Iconoclasm (destruction of religious images-Protestant Reformation) + Polytch (multuiple panels & views)

Mona Lisa, Da Vinci, Renaissance

-Famous->stolen in 20th century

-Used of light glazes-gave paintings smoky look-created certain mona lisa smile

-most people not depicted smiling-rare example of smiling painting-not only during this time

-Artist=create many different sketches & many layers of paint->took a very long time

-Also shows artistic mix of artistic skill with scientific observation

-The Mona Lisa influenced portraiture by emphasizing psychological depth, naturalism, and the integration of sitter and environment

Uses→ Sfomato and Chiaroscuro became foundational techniques for later artists