Art of the Italian Renaissance - pitt

based on practice quizzes

Vasari's Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects is divided into three parts.  According to Vasari, who was the greatest artist of the first part?

Giotto

Petrarch, one of the "fathers" of the Renaissance, was credited with rediscovering the letters of whom?

Cicero

During the Renaissance, art was considered to have _________.  This meant that artworks themselves did something.

agency

Renaissance artists had the freedom to make whatever art they wanted and sell it to the highest bidder. T/F

false

Which cities had a republic for their political structure during the Renaissance?

Florence, Siena, Venice

What is NOT a reason art moves towards naturalism in the 14th century?

cost of materials

When Vasari spoke of Medieval art, he referred to it as what?

the rude manner of the Greeks

In his biography of Giotto di Bondone, Vasari includes many myths and stories about Giotto as an artist and human.  What is NOT a story Vasari tells about Giotto?

his painting of Mary worked miracles

What are the three principles of Giotto's visual approach to storytelling?

use the setting to enhance the story, emphasize dramatic moments, only include what is essential

Medieval and Proto-Renaissance artists often portrayed the Christ Child as a middle-aged looking man because they were incompetent at drawing children. T/F

false

Which of the following is NOT one of the ideals treasured in Sienese government (according to the Allegory of Good Government)?

discord

Which paint color ended up being the least likely to survive over time in Renaissance fresco paintings?

blue

In the panel competition between Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, the winner was chosen in part because Florence wanted a strong-looking _____________.

issac

In Ghiberti's Second Commentary, the artist wants to connect himself to classical antiquity, so he measures time by using _____________.

olympiads

Ghiberti's work on the East Doors, known as the "Gates of Paradise," was drastically different from his earlier door sculptures. What is NOT true about the new doors?

he uses a new quatrefoil design

What is NOT true regarding Brunelleschi and his dome for the Florence Cathedral?

he copied the Pantheon dome in Rome

Why is the Ospedale degli Innocenti often referred to as the first Renaissance building in Florence?

it uses mathematical precision

This term refers to a new (to Renaissance Italy) sculpting technique that helps the artist create depth in the scene.

rilievo schiacciato

Which artist does not engage with linear perspective in some way?

Giotto

What does Masaccio do to improve upon Giotto's return to naturalism with his Maesta (Virgin and Child)?

uses a specific light source, makes Jesus look like a baby, gives the painting an emotional touch

Why did artists even bother with using linear perspective?

it invited viewers into the scene, it is rooted in mathematical balance and order, it created a realistic, 3D scene

This artist faked being sick for 9 months to prove the dome couldn’t be completed without him.

BRUNELLESCHI

This is the common nickname used for Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.

DUOMO

This artist won the important baptistry panel competition

GHIBERTI

This shape was commonly used in sculpture because of the way it elegantly framed a narrative scen

QUATREFOIL

While not physically believable, artists dating back to the Gothic period like to put figures in this “pose” to make them appear elegant.

S-CURVE