The Renaissance Movement: People

* Lesson Intro

* Painting by Giulio Romano, entitled The Fall of The Giants; 1530-1532. 

* Shows high intensity, dramatic theatrical expression

* Reminscent of many ceiling frescoes done during this time

Correggio

* Known for creating dramatic and theatrical effects

* His most famous work is 'Assumption of the Virgin on the Parma Cathedral dome, which was painted on a fresco.

Assumption of the Virgin

* Fresco

* Created from 1526-1530

* Little is known about Correggio. But his works were important

* Painting became Hallmark of ceiling decoration in Italy during the next century and beyond

* Done towards the end of the Renaissance--High Renaissance

* In Catholic Church, Mary was assumed into heavy bodily (whole body went up), this piece demonstrates this. Not an ordinary journey

* High level of dynamism and energy. There is a spiraling vortex, emphasizing a rush into the heavens. Mary is accompanied in this spiral stairwell created by the soft, blue-colored clouds, by angels and saints depicted in warm, sensous flesh tones. 

* The subject matter is very sprititual, which is why it is interesting that they are sensuously painted. The figures have high volume, and the curvatures of the bodies are expressed quite boldly. 

* Inspired by works of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Leonardo's hand is evident in the use of lights and darks, which develop a sum of volume in the subject matter making them 3d. In addition, there is a hazy appearance to the whole composition, named Sfumato and similar to Leonardo da Vinci's works.

* Sense of Raphael's idealism--idealism of human form and religious themes, too. 

* Architecture dissolves into spiraling vortex into heaven

* Viewer's impression is of a strong, powerful movement inspired by the "hand of God" himself. 

* Hallmark of domed ceiling masterpieces

Giorgione

* Not much known. He has four paintings. He died very early and was a victim of the plague.

* Career was very short due to the plague, which was a detrimental epidemic where cities like Florence lost 80% of its population. Did not affect pastoral, more rural areas of Europe, but caused problems for urban environments.

* He introduced pastoral themes, known as poesie (painted poems)

* Scholars attribute four or five paintings to him

* traditionally it was human form that was subject of painting, but Giorgione began to dissolve human form into landscape. Human became part of landscape, less of the emphasis than the overall landscape.

The Tempest

* Done by Giorgione in the year 1506

* Introduces enigmatic, pastoral theme called poesie. Poesie was painted poem, so an illustration of a poem. Came during time of contemporary revival of poetry and mythology from antiquity, classical times.

* Transitioning from historical nature and intellectual nature of paintings, moving into something more imaginative 

* Three figures: Nude woman breastfeeding baby, and a soldier (perhaps a mercenary--paid soldier)

* He is shifting is gaze from the woman to the audience

* Emphasis of this piece of work is not on figures, they dissolve and become part of the landscape. 

* Woman is nude, but focus is not nudity, rather maternal themes.

* Giorgione gives landscape prominence in world of art. Nature is just as important as the human, maybe social commentary on evolution of nature, where no longer is nature submissive to the dominance of man but rather man himself is part of this overall structure of the world

* da Vinci influence in Sfumato techniques--hazy appearance

* Lines and colors began to fade in background--atmospheric perspective, creating sense of depth and 3d.

Titian

* Titian was greatly influenced by the style of Giorgione, whom he worked with.

* He was well known outside Venice and received many professional commissions.

Venus of Urbino

* Commissions for Duke of Urbino, in 1538.

* In contrast with previous nude figure, where nudity was modest. 

* Very prominent nude figure of Venus, or some beautiful woman. She is glowing, the light reflects off of her figure.

* She sits and lays in her bed in a sensuous, erotic pose

* In contrast with symbolic fidelity of the little Cocker Spaniel, Titian influenced by the style of Girogione but not so much as on the emphasis of the natural landscape. The human figure is clearly the subject here.

* Particular style became popular with male patrons of the arts, who "appreciated" these nude depictions of Venus under the cloud of respectable, classical mythology.

* Titian was effective at exposing and highlighting the sensuousness of the human form and making reference to classical beauty.

Final Example, also done by Titian.

* Illustrates his mastery of color, form, technical capabilities as an artist

* Represents style prominent in the 16th century art world

Definitions:

• Correggio - an Italian painter who lived from 1494-1534, whose real name was Antonio Allegri, called Correggio for his birthplace

• Giorgione -an Italian painter who introduced poesie, pastoral themed paintings

• Poesie - a name given to some artists' works, the paintings are usually pastoral scenes with many soft textures and layers

• Titian - a famous Venetian Renaissance painter who lived from 1490 - 1576, he is most well-known for his vibrant use of color