Recording-2025-03-06T18_25_14.240Z

Commissioned Art in the Renaissance

• Artworks from this period were often created on commission, where a patron would order a piece from an artist.

• Contracts included deadlines and payment, often substantial amounts, for the artists.

• Many artworks were designed for public spaces, aimed at showcasing the patron’s status as well as the artist’s talent.

The Altarpiece: A Common Art Form

• Definition and Context: The altarpiece was a standard work of art found in fifteenth-century Italy, typically located at main altars in churches and private chapels.

• Fra Angelico’s San Marco Altarpiece:

  • Features the Madonna with baby Jesus on a throne, surrounded by saints.

  • Displays one-point linear perspective, creating a three-dimensional illusion.

  • This composition exemplifies the common structure of Renaissance altarpieces.

• Madonna of the Egg by Piero della Francesca:

  • Represents a refined example of altarpiece artistry with mathematical precision.

  • Madonna and Jesus are framed by architecture inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, exemplifying linear perspective.

  • The placement of an ostrich egg symbolizes new life and divine perfection.

Frescoes: Immersion in Narrative

• Technique: Frescoes are wall paintings applied to wet plaster, creating durable art as pigments bond with plaster when it dries.

• Tornaboni Chapel in Santa Maria Novella, Florence:

  • Walls entirely covered in frescoes, making it an immersive experience for viewers.

  • Created by Ghirlandaio, blending biblical narratives with contemporary life.

  • Characters in frescoes are recognizable Florentine citizens, illustrating the fusion of sacred and secular themes.

• Political and Personal Statements:

  • The fresco cycle served as a display of wealth and power for the Torna Buoni family, integrating personal likenesses into holy narratives.

  • Ghirlandaio’s attention to detail enhances the realism of the work and its connection to Renaissance Florence.

Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

• Overview: The Primavera, meaning 'Spring', is a prominent painting based on Greek and Roman mythology.

• Composition and Figures:

  • Central figure: Venus, goddess of love, with Cupid above, and three Graces to her left.

  • Mercury and Zephyrus are also featured, with the narrative depicting transformation through love.

• Political Context: Commissioned as a wedding gift, its elements reflect the continuation of the Medici dynasty, underlining fertility and marital ideals.

  • Venus symbolizes harmony, essential for the Medici family dynamics and stability.

• Symbolism and Interpretation:

  • The peaceful right side of the painting contrasts with the chaotic left side, mirroring Florence's political climate under Medici rule.

  • The arrangement of figures provides multiple interpretations, showcasing Botticelli’s sophisticated narrative.

  • The interplay of chaos and order reflects the delicate balance maintained by the Medici family, portraying them as savvy rulers rather than typical monarchs.

Conclusion

• The art of fifteenth-century Italy showcases rich layers of meaning, transcending mere aesthetics to encompass social, political, and personal narratives.

• The upcoming lecture will explore the distinct yet similarly sophisticated artistic traditions in Northern Europe.