Intro to Art 2 - Midterm Study Guide 2023

UofM

Gothic Europe

Beginning in middle 12th century, 2,700 _____ style churches were built in the Ile De France region. Advances in technology that included the exterior buttressing allowed for larger windows & taller vaults.

The term “Gothic” was…

Coined by artist & historian Giorgio Vasari.

Goths / Visigoths were…

Northern Germanictribe

During the rise of urban & intellectual life…

\-Towns became centres for artistic patronage

\-Fostering communal identity through public projects

\-Universities began to surpass monasteries & cathedral schools

Scholasticism applied Aristotelian logic to…

Christian theology

Scholasticism was a system…

Of reasoned analysis that developed in universities

The Age of Cathedrals

Many were built during 1150 - 1400, some of which replaced earlier churches destroyed in fires. The huge expense of such gigantic churches sometimes inspired resentment & rioting.

The Birth of Gothic at The Abbey Church of Saint - Denis

1130’s. The suger supervised the buildings of a new west facade and narthex, but the choir is the area in which the gothic style may have first appeared. The plan of the choir retains features of the Romanesque pilgrimage church, including a semicircular apse surrounded by an ambulatory. Its stained glass windows were saved from the French Revolution by Alexandre Lenoir.

Rib Vaulting

Spacious, adaptable, skeletal. Slender piers allowed for the tallest yet churches with large expanses of stained glass.

De Diversis Artibus

Provided knowledge about 12th century stained glass making.

Grozing

A technique that uses an iron tool that chips the glass away to the precise shape that was needed and place it between the cames.

Notre Dame at Chartres

The site of a pre- Christian virgin goddess cult, & later dedicated to the Virgin Mary, ____. Became a major pilgrimage destination. The west facade contains a sculptural program for its Royal Portal consisting of 3 doors with imposing scenes on each tympanum. Christ enthroned in majesty is centre; on the right, the Incarnation; on the left, the Ascension. Statues flanking all 3 opening on idealized heads that radiate serenity.

Painting at Notre Dame at Chartres; Mason’s at work

Shows a building site with labourers using vast resources to complete their work. Work grew more costly as the structure rose higher in the 1220’s. People oppose the building because of the burden of heavier taxes.

Important architectural things; Notre Dame at Chartres

Codified Gothic structural devices. Pointed arches & ribbed groin vaults. Flying buttresses, a short triforium, lancets, & stained glass.

Master Masons

Construction could be delayed by lack of funding or time needed for mortar to solidify, so the masters would move from job to job. They were at risk of injury, particularly from falls, and not all received paid leave. From the 13th century, they were buried in cathedrals they built.

Stained glass at Notre Dame

By 1260, glass painters had installed 22,000 square feet of ____ in 176 windows. Most of the ….. of Chartres cathedral is intact, including the Good Samaritan window in the nave aisle. Other windows tell moralizing tales of saints & heroes or depicts iconic ensembles. The rose window floats above 5 lancets that glorify the Virgin Mary.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Reims

Famous for its sculpture, like the central portal. The west facade portrays a visitation in the right pair of statues. Stylistically, their idealized faces resemble Roman statues. The left pair of statues portrays the Annunciation. Perfected technique of bar tracery made more expansive walls of stained glass possible. It replaced plate tracery. Thin stone bars called Mullions form a lacy framework.

Art in the Age of St. Louis

Paris became the artistic centre of Europe, creating a style called the “court style”. Small scale objects in precious materials & illuminated manuscripts were prized.

The Saint Chapelle in Paris

Pushed the use of stained glass to its limit. Narrative cycles are easily legible in spite of their complexity. Standard themes relating to the mass decorate the sanctuary’s hemicycle. Among scenes of Kings and Queens of Judah are scenes of Louis IX and the French Royal house. It was commissioned to house Louis IX’s relics of Christ’s Passion. The structure itself is supported by external buttressing that leaves the interior free of clutter so the viewer can focus on the reliquary.

Salisbury Cathedral

The crossing tower boasts a spire of extraordinary height. The interior reflects Norman traditions. A distinctive plan with wide double transepts and a spacious Sanctuary recalls a monastic church. Horizontal movement of the arcades directs worshippers’ gaze to the altar.

Military & Domestic Architecture

Western European Knights had versions of Muslim and Byzantine inspired fortifications built upon returning home. Outer enclosing walls were straightened & a double tower guarded the gate. Interior spaces were filled with living quarters as well as barns and stables for animals and war horses.

Stokesay Castle

This manor is a surviving example of a fortified country house. Large windows lining the hall look across a moat & into the countryside. At both ends of the open hall were two story additions including retiring rooms. Palaces followed the same design, but were larger.

Germany & The Holy Roman Empire

It ceased to be a significant power in the 13th century. The French Gothic Style permeated the western Germanic territories with regional adaptations & innovations.

Germany developed…

The Hall Church, an open, light filled space with a nave and aisles of equal height that could accommodate large crowds.

Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Marburg

The plan of this is an early German form, but inside, closely spaced piers support the ribbed vault.

The Old - New Synagogue

The oldest functioning one in Europe. It only has two aisles, each with 3 bays supported by walls and 2 octagonal piers. Medieval ones hosted gatherings for men to read & discuss the Torah, which was located on the east wall.

Shrine of the 3 Kings

Nicholas of Verdun was inspired by ancient Roman art & created this reliquary shaped in the form of a basilican church.

St. Maurice

This statue in Magdeburg cathedral represents the ______ as a black African, acknowledging his Egyptians origins & a German interest in depicting realism. Details of his chain mail & riveted leather seem as though they were carved from a living model.

Ekkehard & Uta

The sculptor of these works created highly individualized figures & faces that do not represent portrait likenesses. Polochromy survives on the surface, indicating that colour was originally applied.

The Franciscans

The first founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1209. Followers were called brothers, or Friars.

Maniera Greva

Influenced style & technique, introducing an emphasis on pathos & emotion.

The Church of St. Francis at Assisi

Upper & lower churches as well as a crypt below were elements of this unusually elaborate building.

14th Century Europe

Giotto di Bondone’s murals were rooted in his reservation of people around him, giving humanity to figures in sacred narrative. Societal changes arrived in the form of artisan guilds, & Luke was the patron Saint of painters. Much of Europe was in crisis from famine, war, & the plague.

Pallazzo della Signoria

This fortified bell tower is 300 feet tall. Town houses around the piazza often had benches to provide public seating. Loggia such as the Loggia dei Lanzi provided shelter for open air events.

The Baptistery Doors

Andrea Pisano was awarded the commission for gilded bronze doors for the Baptistery of Sam Giovanni Life of St. John the Baptist. The scene of John baptizing a multitude presents gilded figures as an independent mass of melded forms.

Cimabue

Cenni de Pepi, or _____, probably painted the Virgin & Child Enthroned. 12 foot high painting, highlights on the draperies of divine figures are lined with gold, a Byzantine tradition. Subtle asymmetries make the painting lifelike & give figures presence.

Giotto di Bondone

Was a student of Cimabue who became an excellent imitator of nature. Virgin & Child Enthroned reflects cimabues influence in posture, but ____ portrays Mary as stocky & formal. Figures pop out against a flat, gold background.

Buon Fresco

A technique in which water based paint is applied on wet plaster & bonds to the wall surface.

Secco Fresco

A process that dispenses with the complex preparation of the wall with wet plaster. Instead, dry, finished walls are soaked with limewater and painted while wet. The colours do not penetrate into the plaster but form a surface film, like any other paint.

Giornata

A section of the work that could be painted in a day and varied in size based on complexity of the area being painted. Underdrawings known as Sinopia were drawn in reddish brown pigment.

Giotto’s Serivegni Chapel Frescos

Educated worshippers would understand the juxtaposition of such scenes as the resurrection of Lazarus & Jesus’ own Resurrection. These are traditional medieval associations. His audience might envision these events in relation to their own experience.

Serivegni Chapel

A barrel vaulted room with broad walls to showcase the paintings. The entrance wall portrays the Last Judgement. Scenes of the Life of Christ & the Virgin spread over the rest of the walls. A narrative set of frescos on the north wall portray Jesus performing his first miracle, the Raising of Lazarus, the lamentation, & the Resurrection. Figure’s twisting creates human drama. Mourning over the dead Jesus gives way to the movement of Jesus away from the painting in the Resurrection. The Kiss of Judas portrays the tension filled scene. In a subplot, Peter lunges to sever the ear of a member of the retinue.

Duccio di Buoninsegna

Synthesized late Byzantine style with linear French Gothic forms. The Maesta altar piece for the Siena Cathedral was so large that it had to be painted on both sides, as it could be seen from all directions. It was dismantled in 1771. His experiment with the portrayal of space can be seen in the rocks. The Betrayal of Jesus is more expansive in complexity & includes two, subsequent moments in the story.

Cennino Cennini on Panel Painting

In II Libre dell’ Arte, Cennini outlines a highly formulaic painting process. He explains that wood for painting on panels should be fine grained & seasoned by slow - drying. He also specified at least nine layers of gesso should be applied. Italian painters of this time primarily used tempera paint.

Simone Martini

His most famous work was commissioned for the cathedral of his native Siena, the Annunciation. Seemingly frightened at her celestial visitor, Mary recoils into her throne.

The Black Death

Had a significant impact on the development of Italian art mid 14th century. Art historian Millard Meis’s believed artists retreated from rounded forms to old - fashioned styles. Recent art historians pointed out that stylistic change is not necessarily connected with social situations.

Ambrogio Lorenzetti

The Palazzo Pubblico was the most important civic structure in Siena. He was commissioned to paint frescos from the council room of the Palazzo on the theme of contrast between good & bad government. The effects of Good Government in the city & in the country was an idealized but recognizable portrait of the city. The porta Romana divides the city from the surrounding countryside. Figures are rendered in large scale compared to the buildings to the highlight their activity.

The Book of Hours

Contained special prayers to be recited at eight canonical “devotional” hours. It was special to the queen. In the Annunciation, Mary receives Gabriel in a Gothic building that projects toward the viewer.

Embroidery: Opus Anglicanum

The English were renowned for pictorial needlework throughout Europe.

Chichester Constable Chasuble

Heavy liturgical vestment was embroidered with gold and would have required help for the wearers to move. The Annunciation, Adoration of the Magi, & Coronation of the Virgin are scenes upon it.

The decorative style of gothic architecture

Developed out of Henry III’s desire to surpass his brother in law as patron of arts.

The Decorated Style at Exeter

Thomas of Whitney supervised construction of the nave & upper parts of the choir. Corbels support 13 clusters of ribs. Detailed records survive for the building of the cathedral, outlining how masons & carpenters were paid & housed. The 57 foot high bishops throne was painted & gilded, invoking a symbol of power & authority of the church rather than venerating the individual bishop.

The Perpendicular style at Exeter

Robert Lesyngham rebuilt the great east window with rectilinear patterns & angular shapes. This style of architecture heralds Renaissance style through its balance, regularity & plainness.

Vesperbild

Devotional images of Mary mourning her son were called _____. Often they were intense, emotional face of the Virgin Mary as she haunches over her emaciated son. Such an image mimicked the way Mary held Christ as an infant.

The Hedwig Codex

St ____ devoted her life to caring for the poor and carried a small ivory statue of the Virgin Mary & Child, which was carried at all times. Her image serves as the frontispiece of a manuscript commissioned in 1353.

The Supremacy of Prague

During the rule of Charles IV of Bohemia, _____ replaced Constantinople as the “New Rome”. Pope Clement VI made Prague an archbishopric in 1344, inciting construction on the cathedral of St. Vitus in the Gothic Style.

The Parler Family

Heinrich designed and began building the church of the Holy Cross in 1317 & his son Peter designed the choir after 1351. The contrast between their styles shows the complexity of rib patterns covering the vaults. Peter turned the St. Vitrus Cathedral into a “glass house”.

Master Theodore

The Court painter at Karlstejn Castle painted saints on over 130 panels. The gaze of St Luke, patron of painters, suggest that this may be a self portrait. His personal style combined oversized heads and hands, soft modelled drapery, & haunted faces.

The Northern Renaissance

Closely observing & detailed nature accurately through art became popular. The concept of individual personalities also rose to prominence, & more artists began to sign their work. The new power of Flanders & the greater Netherlands began to challenge the traditions of the church. The dukes of Burgundy’s rule encompassed Flemish & Netherlandish cities as well. Dukes became the arbiters of taste.

International Gothic style

Prevailed in late 14th century Europe.

Chartreuse de Champot

Philip the Bold sponsored the building of ____.

Melchior Broederlam

The alterpiece called for scenes of the Adoration of the Magi, crucifixion, & Entombment, which ____ renders in the International style.

Diptych

A painting, especially an __altarpiece__, on two __hinged__ wooden panels which may be closed like a book.

Triptych

A picture or relief carving on three panels, typically __hinged__ together side by side and used as an __altarpiece__.

Polyptych

A painting, typically an __altarpiece__, consisting of more than three leaves or panels joined by __hinges__ or __folds__.

Claus Sluter

_____ left the complex Well of Moses unfinished at the time of his death. Figures of Patriarchs & prophets serve as a pedestal for a free standing figure of Christ on the cross. He sculpted figures with voluminous drapery that created horizontal folds across their bodies.

The Limbourg Brothers

Became famous for their miniature paintings. They often used Gothic conventions in their work.

Flemish Textiles

Treasured arts of the Renaissance, they were portable, displayable symbols of wealth, as well as practical means of warmth.

Technique; Oil Painting

Limitations of tempura paint resulted in the Flemish preferring this medium. It is a viscous medium that has time to smooth out during the drying process. Additionally, it can be applied in thin layers called glazes that can create the appearance of an interior glow.

Painting in Flanders

Civic groups, town councils, & wealthy merchants were important patrons in the Netherlands. Guilds oversaw nearly every aspect of members’ lives. Artists who moved from one city to another had to work as assistants until being granted guild membership, regardless of experience.

The Master of Flemalle.

Robert Campin is identified as some art historians as being this master.

Jan Van Eyck

A painter active in Bruges who was one of the early innovators of what became known as Early Netherlandish painting, and one of the most significant representatives of Early Northern Renaissance art.

Rogier van der Weyden

The peak of his career was spent in Brussels, where the artists was the official city Painter. An early Netherlandish painter whose surviving works consist mainly of religious triptychs, altarpieces, and commissioned single and diptych portraits.

Painting at Mid century; The Second Generation

These Flemish painters produced work that was simpler, more direct, & easier to understand. However, the work was emotionally complex.

Petrus Christus

Was an Early Netherlandish painteractive in Bruges from 1444, where, along with Hans Memling, he became the leading painter after the death of Jan van Eyck. Is noted for his innovations with linear perspective and a meticulous technique which seems derived from miniatures and manuscript illumination.

Hugo Van der Goes

Was one of the most significant and original Flemish painters of the late 15th century. An important painter of altarpieces as well as portraits.

Hans Memling

Was a German-born painter of the Early Netherlandish school known for his portraits and religious scenes. He combined intellectual depth & technical rendering with a delicacy of feeling & “prettiness”.

Jean Foquet

He was a French painter and miniaturist. A master of panel painting and manuscript illumination, and the apparent inventor of the portrait miniature, he is considered one of the most important painters from the period between the late Gothic and early Renaissance.

Jean Hey

Now generally identified with the artist formerly known as the Master of Moulins, was an Early Netherlandish painter working in France and the Duchy of Burgundy, and associated with the court of the Dukes of Bourbon.

Technique; Woodcuts & Engravings of Metal Areas

Made by cutting away areas around drawn lines on a block, leaving lines in high relief. Engraving uses burins to cut into the ____ plate. Making multiple prints from a single version was a team effort.

The Graphic Arts

Only in the 15th century did woodblock printing of images & text on paper replace copying each book by hand. Woodcut & engraving were techniques used by printmakers.

Printed Books

The use of woodcuts for _____ to replace written manuscripts. Moveable type printing was achieved with the Gutenberg press. This allowed for a number of identical books to be made concurrently. Rapid spread of these texts enhanced intellectual & spiritual life across Europe.

The Nuremberg Chronicle

Published in 1493 & contained 1,809 woodcut illustrations.

The Early Renaissance in Florence

The 15th century witnessing the rise of the Medici family, who made their money through banking. The competitive atmosphere fostered mercantile & artistic success. ____ was considered a republic.

The Competition Reliefs

Florence Cathedral sponsored a ____ for the artist of the bronze doors & chose the scene of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. Surviving panels belong to assumed finalists Lorenzo Ghiberti & Brunelleschi.

Florence Cathedral

The Dome of ____ Cathedral was a feat of engineering, with an octagonal outer shell & lower inner shell. Each portion reinforced the next one as it was built layer by layer with no external support.

The Founding Hospital

The Ospedale degi Innocenti was unprecedented in scale & design. Brunelleschi paid homage to traditional forms & introduced features key to the Italian Renaissance style. A later addition in 1477 included spandrels with terracotta medallions.

San Lorenzo

Brunelleschi also reconstructed the Church of ____. Clear, rational interior spaces are in harmony with one another. The austere Roman style basilica with a long nave has arches that spring from an impose block. Michelangelo became the architect for the Medici family, creating two monuments of the deceased.

The Medici Palace

Brunelleschi had a role in the Palazzo ____ Ricarddi, although it was said that his model was rejected as too grand. It is attributed to the Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. Rusticated stone blocks set the lower story apart from the upper levels. Inside, the courtyard is square, with rooms arranged symmetrically. The frieze is decorated with swigs in sgraffito, which is produced by scratching through a layer of dark plaster or glaze.

Donatello

Made the statue of David to draw on the classical tradition of heroic nudity. This statue was first recorded in 1469. Some historians cite the angular pose as an attempt to heighten the character’s heroism, while others see overt homoeroticism.

Fra Angelico

Worked in Florence as early as 1417. His Annunciation uses linear perspective to extend the corridor of the monastery where it was painted into an imagined portico & garden.

Uccello

Emerged as an eccentric painter specializing in the study of linear perspective.

Castagno

Best known for the Last Supper, a fresco showing Jesus & his followers at a humble looking house. Judas takes a traditional position on the viewers’ side of the table.

Verrocchino

Trained as a goldsmith, he was best known for works in paint & bronze.

Botticelli

His paintings have been seen to represent the linear grace of late Italian Gothic and some Early Renaissance painting, even though they date from the latter half of the Italian Renaissance period.

Piero Della Francesca

Was one of the few practicing artists who also wrote his own theory books.

Venice

Emerged as a centre for the arts as well as commercial seaports. Textiles, jewelry, gold, enamel, glass, fine printing & bookbinding were other specialties of ____.

What is a humanist?

A person that believes that reason, experience and evidence and not "faith" are the best ways of finding out about the universe and the world around us. They base their morality on what will best contribute to human welfare and human fulfillment.

Brunelleschi

Was considered to be a founding father of Renaissance architecture, was an Italian architect, designer, and sculptor, and is now recognized to be the first modern engineer, planner, and sole construction supervisor.

Use of intuitive perspective

The artist uses their "eye" and the skill of observation, to create a sense of perspective in the viewer's drawing.