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Lecture 16: European Renaissance Art – The Weird and The Beautiful

Key Terms and Concepts

  • Northern Renaissance: Naturalistic and expressive art movement.

  • Southern Renaissance: Focused on ancient monuments and the pursuit of ideal beauty.

  • Renaissance: French for "rebirth"; refers to the revival of classical antiquity and changes in art.

  • Humanism: Philosophy emphasizing the potential for human growth and moral conduct through education, rooted in ancient Greek ideas.

  • Contrapposto: An Italian term meaning "counterpoise," referring to a pose where most of the weight is on one foot, creating an asymmetrical balance in the figure's posture.

  • Tempera: A fast-drying paint made from egg yolk and powdered pigment.

  • Fresco: Painting with earth pigments on wet plaster, e.g., The Last Supper.

  • Oil Painting: Became the main medium, replacing tempera and fresco during the Italian Renaissance.

  • Sfumato: A shading technique used by Leonardo da Vinci; creates a smoky, soft appearance in portraits, e.g., Mona Lisa.

  • Characteristics of Renaissance Portraits: Side profile, emotionless expressions, larger foreheads, rich fabrics indicating wealth, half-closed eyes, indoor settings, blonde hair for status, harmonious colors, lack of individuality.

  • Michelangelo's Sculptural Painting Technique: Strong contours and a sense of three-dimensionality.

Human Expression in Art

  • Leonardo's Study:

    • Early explorations of expressionism, notably in The Last Supper; intended to depict emotion and drama.

    • His works reflect systematic study used for educational purposes.

  • Symmetry and Aesthetic Harmony: Key elements of Renaissance art emphasizing beauty and balance.

Key People

  • Leonardo Da Vinci:

    • Born in 1452, Florence; painter and musician.

    • Worked for the Medici family; believed art should express deep emotions.

    • Died in 1519.

  • Michelangelo Buonarroti:

    • Born in 1475; a renowned sculptor and painter obsessed with ancient Greece.

    • Died in 1564.

Key Artworks (Memorization)

  • Leonardo Da VinciThe Last Supperc. 1495, Fresco and tempera; Milan, convent of Sta Maria delle Grazie

  • Leonardo Da VinciMona Lisac. 1503-19, Oil on wood panel; 77 x 53 cm; Paris, Musée du Louvre

  • MichelangeloThe Creation of Adamc. 1511, Fresco; Vatican City, Sistine Chapel

  • MichelangeloThe Last Judgment1534-1541, Fresco; Vatican City, Sistine Chapel

Lecture 17: Pondering the Soul: Vermeer, Rembrandt, 17th-century Art of the Dutch Republic

Key Artists and Places

  • Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675):

    • Notable for genre paintings, often focusing on women and light.

    • Lived in Delft; aided by family and lacked fame until posthumously.

  • Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669):

    • Renowned for intimate portraits, often reflecting personal journeys and humanistic themes.

  • Dutch Republic (1581-1795):

    • Economically thriving through foreign trade; culturally diverse and tolerant.

Key Concepts

  • Systems of Representation: Different ways of depicting individuals, often shaped by beauty and identity standards.

  • Portraiture: The study of identity through individual representation; influenced by personal and public perceptions.

Key Artworks (Memorization)

  • Johannes VermeerWoman Holding a Balancec. 1664, Oil on canvas; 40 x 35 cm; Washington D.C., National Gallery of Art.

  • Johannes VermeerGirl with a Pearl Earring1665, Oil on canvas; 44 x 39 cm; Mauritshuis, The Hague.

  • RembrandtSelf-Portrait1659, Oil on canvas; 123 x 104 cm; Washington D.C., National Gallery of Art.

Lecture 18: Art of Early Modern Korea and Japan

Key Concepts and Vocabulary

  • Woodblock: Method for inexpensive, multi-colored prints; involves carving images onto wood.

  • Porcelain: High-temperature-fired ceramics, highly valued in royal contexts.

  • Chaekgeori: Korean folding screens painted with book and object motifs, popular in the 18th century.

  • Trompe l’oeil: Visual illusion technique that creates depth.

  • Ukiyo and Ukiyo-e: “Floating world” prints depicting Edo landscapes; highlights leisure and transience.

Key Artworks (Memorization)

  • Glazed White Porcelain "Moon" Jar: Joseon dynasty, 18th century, British Museum, London.

  • Yi Taek-gyunBooks and Scholars’ AccoutermentsLate 1800s, Ink and color on silk; Cleveland Museum of Art.

  • Katsushika HokusaiUnder the Wave off KanagawaEdo period, c. 1830–32, Polychrome woodblock print; Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lecture 11: You Paid How Much? Art as Value

Key Concepts

  • Inherent Value: The underlying significance of an artwork shaped by context (aesthetic, historical, cultural, etc.).

  • Monetary or Market Value: Price determined by galleries and auction houses, influenced by various factors.

Determining Factors

  • For Inherent Value: Context, aesthetics, symbolism, societal impact.

  • For Market Value: Size, medium, provenance, and contemporary relevance.

  • Curator: Professionals who select and interpret artworks for exhibitions.

  • Art World: Encompasses all actors in art creation, distribution, and critique.

Key Figures

  • Damien Hirst: Contemporary artist with a direct-to-museum sales approach.

  • Maurizio Cattelan: Known for provocative artworks such as the banana duct-taped to a wall.

  • Beeple: NFT artist renowned for digital artworks, selling pieces for millions.

Key Concepts for DES121

Definitions

  • Palimpsest: Reused material that retains traces of its former state.

  • Obsolescence: Becoming outdated due to technological or cultural shifts.

  • Preservation: Protecting and maintaining the longevity of artifacts.

  • Restoration: Returning items to their original condition.