Renaissance Art

Art Appreciation, Fall 2022

Baptistery

Building used for baptism, usually next to a church

Basilica

A Christian church building, often in the shape of a cross

Chiaroscuro

In drawing and painting, the treatment and use of light and dark, especially the gradations of light that produce the effect of modeling

Grisaille

A monochrome painting done mainly in neutral grays to simulate sculpture

Humanism

In the Renaissance, and emphasis on education and on expanding knowledge (especially classical and antiquity) the exploration of individual potential and a desire to excel and a commitment to civic responsibility and moral duty

International Style

A style of 14th and 15th century painting begun by Simone Martini. An adaptation of the French Gothic manner with Northern influences. Style appealed to the aristocracy because of the brilliant color, lavish costume, intricate ornament, and themes involving splendid processions of knights and ladies.

Patron

A wealthy person who pays artists and writers to produce their work

Guild

a union of people who practice a certain craft or make a product. They agree to certain standards, expectations, and guides.

Gilding

The art of process of applying gold leaf or a substance like gold to a surface.

Maesta

The Italian word for "majesty," designates an iconic formula of the enthroned Madonna with the child Jesus.

Perspective

An artistic technique that creates the appearance of three dimensions on a flat surface.

Pope

Known as the supreme pontiff, or the Roman pontiff, is the bishop of Rome, leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, and head of state.

Printing Press

A machine that used "moveable type" to create books, bibles, etc. Invented by Johann Guttenberg.

Protestants

Name of the churches that were formed as a result of protests against the Catholic Church.

Reformation

A religious movement that began in Europe in the 1500s as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church.

Renaissance

A period of European history from the 14th through the mid 17th century that produced new ideas that were reflected in the arts, philosophy, and literature.

Secular

Relating to earthly life rather than to religious or spiritual matters.

Sfumato

A painting technique developed by Leonardo da Vinci that focused on softening the transition between colors, mimicking an area beyond what the human eye is focusing on, or the out-of-focus plane.

Artist: Giotto
Work: Lamentation

Artist: Duccio
Work: Lamentation

Artist: Masaccio
Work: The Holy Trinity

Artist: Lorenzo Ghiberti
Work: The Gates of Paradise

Artist: Donatello
Work: David

Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Work: Mona Lisa

Artist: Michelangelo Buonarotti
Work: David

Artist: Michelangelo Buonarotti
Work: Sistine Chapel Celling

Artist: Raphael Sanzio
Work: The School of Athens

Artist: Raphael Sanzio
Work: The Fire in the Borgo