Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo: Artistic Techniques and Influences

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, highlighting their artistic techniques, significant works, and historical context.

Annunciation

A painting by Leonardo da Vinci from around 1473 featuring the Virgin Mary, notable for its tonal consistency and unique figure representation.

Fresco

A technique of mural painting on freshly laid wet plaster, requiring careful preparation and planning.

Tempera

A painting medium made of pigment mixed with egg yolk, commonly used before the popularization of oil painting.

Sfumato

An artistic technique employed by Leonardo da Vinci, characterized by the blending of colors to create softened outlines and transitions.

Chiaroscuro

A technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of depth and volume in painting.

Pouncing

A method used in fresco painting where small holes are made in a cartoon (drawing) and charcoal is dusted through these holes to transfer an image.

Oil Painting

A painting technique where pigments are mixed with oil, allowing for greater blending and layering of colors compared to other methods.

Perspective

An artistic technique that creates the illusion of depth and space in a two-dimensional artwork by representing objects smaller as they recede into the background.

Last Supper

A famous mural by Leonardo da Vinci depicting the moment Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him, painted using a mixture of tempera and oil.

Mona Lisa

A celebrated portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, known for its enigmatic expression and nuanced use of sfumato, embodying a dynamic interaction with the viewer.

Battle of Anghiari

An unfinished mural by Leonardo da Vinci, noted for its dramatic representation of the historical battle, commissioned to symbolize Florentine strength.

Vitruvian Man

A drawing by Leonardo da Vinci illustrating the proportions of the human body, reflecting the connection of human anatomy to cosmological ideals.

Contrapposto

A sculptural technique depicting a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot, creating a sense of dynamism and fluidity.

Neoplatonism

A philosophical system that emerged during the Renaissance, emphasizing the idea of human beauty reflecting divine perfection.

Maestà

An altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Heaven, illustrating the sacredness of the figure within the context of Christian art.

Paragone

A Renaissance debate regarding the superiority of painting versus sculpture, exploring the value and methods of different artistic mediums.

Historical Context

The circumstances surrounding the creation of artworks, including political, social, and cultural conditions that influenced artists like Leonardo and Michelangelo.

Authenticity challenges

Issues faced by art historians in verifying the true origin and authorship of artworks, often requiring technical analysis and historical research.

Artistic process

The methods and approaches artists use in creation, which can vary significantly between individuals such as Leonardo's dynamic technique and Michelangelo's structured planning.

Cascina

A historical battle depicted by Michelangelo, representing significant military and artistic themes during the Renaissance.

Commission

An agreement where an artist is paid to create a work of art, often reflecting the desires and preferences of patrons.

Leonardo da Vinci, Ginevra de’ Benci, 1474-78

Leonardo da Vinci, Study of Hands, 1478

Verrochio, Woman Holding Flowers, 1475-80

Ghirlandaio, Giovanna de Tornabuoni, 1488

Leonardo da Vinci, Reverse of Ginevra de’ Benci, 1478-80 Beauty adorns virtue

Leonardo da Vinci, Adoration of the Magi, 1481-82

Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, 1481

Leonardo da Vinci, Adoration of the Magi preparatory sketch

Botticelli, Adoration of the Magi, 1475

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495-97/98

Castagno, The Last Supper, ca. 1450 

Leonardo da Vinci, Battle of Anghiari, copy by Rubens, 1600-08

Michelangelo, Battle of Cascina, copy by Sangallo, 1542

Leonardo da Vinci, Virgin and St. Anne with the christ child and the Young John the Baptist, 1500-01

Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, 1490

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1503-06

Antonello da Messina, Portrait of a Man, ca. 1475

Piero della Francesca, Federico da Montefeltro and battiste sforza, ca 1472

Anonymous, Copy of Mona Lisa, ca. 1510

Michelangelo, Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs, 1492

Michelangelo, Madonna of the Stairs, 1489-92

Michelangelo, Bacchus, 1496

Jacopo Sansovino, Bacchus, 1496-97

Michelangelo, Pieta, 1497-1500

Verrochio, Doubting Thomas, 1466-67

Michelangelo, David, 1501-04

Donatello, Marzocco, ca. 1419

Michelangelo, study for battle of cascina, 1504

Michelangelo, Doni tondo, ca. 1506

Bramante, Belvedere Courtyard, 1504

Bramante, New St. Peters, medal and plan 1506

Botticelli, Punishment of Corah, 1481-82

Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel Ceiling, 1508-12

Michelangelo, Last Judgement, 1536-41

Michelangelo, Compositional Drawing for the Last Judgement, ca. 1534

Raphael, Self Potrait with a friend, ca. 1518

Raphael, The Small Cowper Madonna, 1505

Raphael, Alba Madonna, 1511

Leonardo da Vinci, Virgin and Child with St. Anne, 1503-1517

Raphael, Agnolo Doni, and Maddalena Strozzi Doni, ca. 1506

Raphael, Entombment, 1507