15th-Century Flanders, Florence, and High Renaissance Art Key Concepts

key innovations in 15th-century Flanders art

Oil painting, attention to detail, symbolism, naturalism, new approaches to portraiture and altarpieces.

factors influenced 15th-century Flanders art

Patronage by wealthy merchants and the Burgundian court, growth of cities, religious devotion.

key characteristics of 15th-century Holy Roman Empire art

Emphasis on printmaking (woodcut, engraving), religious imagery, detailed realism, expressive emotion.

key innovations in 15th-century Florence art

Linear perspective, humanism, naturalism, classical themes revived.

important patrons in 15th-century Florence

Medici family, guilds, church institutions.

architectural innovations in 15th-century Florence

Use of classical elements (columns, domes, arches), Brunelleschi's dome, emphasis on proportion and harmony.

Italian High Renaissance

c. 1495-c. 1520.

characteristics of High Renaissance art

Balance, harmony, idealized figures, clarity of composition, influence of classical antiquity.

artists defining the High Renaissance

Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo.

distinguishes Venetian High Renaissance art

Rich color (colorito), emphasis on light and atmosphere, sensual subjects, poetic mood.

why Venetian art was different from Florence and Rome

Geography (lagoon light and color), trade wealth, cultural openness, emphasis on oil painting.

characteristics of Mannerist style

Elongated figures, artificial poses, complex compositions, unusual colors, tension and instability.

how Mannerism differs from High Renaissance

Rejects balance and harmony, favors exaggeration, artificiality, and ambiguity.

why Mannerism emerged

Reaction to perfection of High Renaissance, political/religious turmoil, desire for artistic experimentation.

style in art history

Formal characteristics of a work, including line, color, composition, and technique.

period style

Distinctive features of art created in a specific time and place.

formal analysis

Analyzing visual elements of a work without focusing on historical context.

iconography

Study of symbols and subject matter in art.

patronage

Support for artists by individuals or institutions. Two types: private (individuals/families) and institutional (church/state).

naturalism

Art that seeks to represent subjects truthfully and realistically.

linear perspective

A mathematical system using lines to create the illusion of depth.

atmospheric perspective

Creating depth by making distant objects lighter, bluer, and less distinct.

humanism

Renaissance intellectual movement emphasizing classical learning, individual potential, and human-centered subjects.

illusionism

Art that creates the convincing illusion of reality.

oil paint

Paint using oil as a binder, allowing rich color, blending, and detail.

tempera paint

Paint made with egg yolk as a binder, fast-drying, with matte finish.

relief print

Printing technique where raised areas are inked (e.g., woodcut).

intaglio print

Printing technique where incised lines hold ink (e.g., engraving, etching).

colorito

Venetian approach: emphasis on color and light in painting.

disegno

Florentine/Roman approach: emphasis on drawing, design, and structure in art.