World History Flashcards

Renaissance – Lecture Notes

Slide: Rinascimento

·       Renaissance – “rebirth”

·       Vitruvian Man - Artist: Leonardo da Vinci, 1490

Key Concepts:

• harmony of human proportion

• Vitruvius, a 1st-century BCE Roman architect

• Symbolism of shapes:

  • Circle: Represents the cosmos or divinity

  • Square: Represents the earth or material reality

Themes:

• Explores the relationship between humanity, the universe, and mathematics

• Demonstrates perfect mathematical human proportions (which we will examine this week.)

Slide: Botticelli’s Primavera (c. 1482)

Classical Influence:

• mythological figures - Venus, Mercury, and the Three Graces

Humanism:

• human beauty, emotion, and intellect

• Venus - love and harmony

Naturalism:

• plants and lifelike figures

Artistic Techniques:

• Employs perspective, balance, and harmony

• Figures have graceful and natural poses

Slide: Florence

• 1453 - Ottoman conquest of Constantinople ends of the Byzantine Empire.

• Greek scholars fled westward, particularly to Italy.

• Strategic Location: Mediterranean.

• Medici Bank

Slide: Petrarch

Humanism Emerges:

• "Father of Humanism” ca 1300’s

• promoted the study of classical texts

• balancing religious faith with a deep appreciation for human reason and worldly experience

Slide: Giotto – The Lamentation (1305–1306)

Artistic Innovations:

• revolutionized art with a focus on realism and human-centered storytelling.

• In The Lamentation, figures display grief and sorrow with lifelike gestures and faces.

• Spatial Depth: Early use of perspective and overlapping figures created a sense of three-dimensional space.

Slide: Dante

·       Revived Classical Thought: Dante's Inferno blended classical themes with Christian theology, inspiring Renaissance humanism.

·       Vernacular Pioneer: Writing in Italian, Dante elevated it as a literary language, influencing future writers.

·       Moral Exploration: Inferno explored sin and redemption, shaping Renaissance views on human nature.

Slide: Classical Antiquity

Slide: "The Grandeur that was Greece"

The School of Athens by Raphael (1509–1511)

Key Figures:

1. Plato – Center left, red and purple robe, pointing upward (symbolizing the world of ideals).

2. Aristotle – Center right, blue and brown robe, gesturing outward (symbolizing the tangible world).

3. Socrates – Left side, green robe, engaged in debate with others.

4. Pythagoras – Bottom left, white and green robe, writing in a book.

5. Euclid – Bottom right, blue and orange robe, teaching geometry.

6. Heraclitus – Foreground center, dark purple robe, leaning on a block.

7. Diogenes – Center on the stairs, blue-green robe, reclining casually.

8. Zoroaster – Far right, gold robe, holding a celestial globe.

9. Ptolemy – Far right, yellow robe, holding an earthly globe.

10. Raphael – Far right, wearing a black hat and robe, looking directly at the viewer.

Slide: "The Glory that was Rome"

• Built between 70–80 AD under the emperors Vespasian and Titus of the Flavian dynasty.

Influence on the Renaissance:

• Renaissance architects studied Roman ruins:

  • Arches and columns

  • Advanced engineering techniques

  • Proportion, balance, and the use of durable materials like concrete

Slide: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (1296–1436)

Construction Timeline:

• Begun in 1296 by architect Arnolfo di Cambio

• Completed in 1436, with the iconic dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi

Key Features:

• Dome: Brunelleschi’s innovative design used a double-shell structure and herringbone brick pattern, inspired by ancient Roman engineering techniques.

Significance:

• The cathedral, also known as “Il Duomo,” became a centerpiece of Florentine identity and a testament to Renaissance innovation in engineering and design.

Slide: Santa Maria Novella (Completed in 1470)

Construction and Design:

• Built by the Dominican Order in 1279, with the façade completed in 1470 by Leon Battista Alberti.

Façade:

• Combines Classical and Gothic elements.

• Features geometric patterns in white and green marble, inspired by Roman architecture.

• Alberti's use of proportion and symmetry Interior:

• Houses significant works of art, including Masaccio’s Trinity (1427), which we will see later.

Slide: Edgar Allen Poe

Slide: Patronage – Lorenzo de' Medici and His Circle Giorgio Vasari in c. 1545.

Slide: Patronage – The House of Medici

• The Medici family was a powerful and wealthy dynasty in Florence that rose to prominence through banking and commerce during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Key Figures:

• Lorenzo de' Medici ("Lorenzo the Magnificent") – A major patron

• Cosimo de' Medici

• Artistic Patronage:

  • Brunelleschi’s Dome

  • Botticelli’s Primavera.

Slide: The Roman Catholic Church as a Patron

Artistic Commissions:

• This painting of Saint Peter, created by Pietro Perugino, exemplifies the Church's support for religious art. Saint Peter is shown holding the keys of heaven, symbolizing the Church's authority.

• The Church funded many monumental works, including:

  • Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508–1512)

  • Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican, including The School of Athens

  • St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

Purpose of Patronage:

• Art served to glorify both God and the Church’s authority, with lavish depictions of saints, martyrs, and religious scenes.

Impact:

• The Church's extensive patronage allowed artists like Perugino, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini to create masterpieces that became central to Western art history.

Lecture Notes: The Delivery of the Keys by Perugino (1481–1482)

• Scene: Jesus gives Saint Peter the keys of heaven, symbolizing the authority of the Church and the papacy.

Key Features:

• Linear Perspective:

  • Horizon Line: Divides the sky and ground.

  • Vanishing Point: Located at the central doorway of the temple.

• Composition: Symmetrical, with figures arranged around the central temple.

Symbolism:

• The temple signifies the Church as the gateway to heaven.

Lecture Notes: The Holy Trinity by Masaccio (c. 1427)

• Scene: Depicts the Holy Trinity—God the Father, Christ on the cross, and the Holy Spirit.

Key Features:

• Linear Perspective:

  • Vanishing point at the base of the cross.

  • Receding architecture creates depth.

• Composition: Symmetrical with Mary, St. John, and patrons flanking Christ.

Symbolism:

• Represents the Trinity and themes of salvation and divine harmony.

• Combines Classical architectural elements with spiritual meaning.

Slide: Elements of Form in Artwork

1.      Line

2.      Shape

3.      Form (3D Shape)

• shading, chiaroscuro, and perspective to give the illusion of depth.

• Color

• Properties:

  • Hue: The name of the color (e.g., red, blue).

  • Value: Lightness or darkness of a color.

  • Saturation: Intensity or purity of the color.

5. Texture

•  (e.g., smooth, rough).

• Types:

  •  (e.g., impasto painting).

6. Space

• Types:

  • Positive Space: The areas occupied by objects.

  • Negative Space: The empty areas around objects.

  • Perspective: Linear and atmospheric techniques create depth.

7. Value

• Definition: The lightness or darkness of a color or tone.

• Caravaggio's use of tenebrism

8. Composition

• Definition: The arrangement of elements in the artwork.

• Techniques: Use of balance, rule of thirds, and focal points to organize visual elements effectively.

Slide: The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli (c. 1484-1486)

1.      Idealized:

1. Venus is portrayed with soft, elongated features and harmonious proportions, embodying classical ideals of beauty and grace.

2. The curving posture of Venus (contrapposto stance)

2.      Linear and Flowing Forms:

2. flowing lines, particularly in Venus' hair

3. figures and landscape maintain a gentle, rhythmic flow

3.      Flatness vs. Dimensionality:

3. Botticelli's use of form emphasizes decorative surface detail rather than deep spatial realism.

4.      Nature as a Frame for Form:

4. The sea, shell, and surrounding figures serve as a framing device for Venus

Slide Form in Art: The Libyan Sibyl Study by Michelangelo (c. 1510-1511)

1.      Dynamic and Tensioned Form:

1. twisting pose - complex movement, tension in the torso and limbs, strength and fluidity.

2.      Detailed Anatomy:

2. precise depiction of muscle groups and skeletal structure reflects his deep anatomical studies,

3. shadow and contour - lifelike

Slide: Message – Content

1. Subject Matter

• Definition: The objects, figures, or events depicted in the artwork.

• Types:

  • Representational: recognizable subjects

  • Abstract: convey themes or ideas.

  • Non-representational: form, color, and composition.

2. Themes or Concepts

• Definition: The broader ideas or issues the artwork explores.

  • Religion, spirituality, love, power, authority, mortality nature and the environment

3. Symbolism

• Religious: Saints, halos, or crosses

• Cultural: Colors, animals, or gestures

• Personal: Symbols unique to the artist’s experiences or worldview.

4. Emotional Expression

• Color: calmness or melancholy.

• Composition: chaos, harmony.

• Facial Expressions and Body Language: drama and emotion,

5. Context and Meaning

• Historical Events

• Religious or Mythological Contexts

• Artist's Intent:

6. Narrative

• Characters

• Action

Slide – Content: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1495-1498)

1.      Secular?

1. Depicts Jesus announcing his betrayal during his final meal with the disciples.

2. Each disciple reacts with distinct emotions: shock, denial, anger, and confusion.

Slide – Content: The Peasant Wedding by Pieter Brueghel the Elder (c. 1567)

1.      Message:

1. Highlights everyday rural life, celebrating the simplicity, joy, and community of peasant culture.

2. Suggests themes of social unity and human connection through communal activities and shared experiences.

3. the dignity and value of ordinary people,

Slide: Progenitor

Slide: Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets (Maestà) (c. 1280)

1.      Iconography:

1. Religious and hierarchical focus, emphasizing divine, sacred authority and spiritual reverence.

2.      Form and Technique:

2. Flat Perspective: Minimal depth; figures appear stacked rather than positioned in realistic space.

3. Stylized Figures: Elongated proportions, stiff poses, and limited individuality.

4. Gold Background: Symbolic of the heavenly realm, enhancing the spiritual tone.

Slide – The Masters

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564)

1.      Renaissance Contributions:

1. His art emphasized naturalism, anatomical precision, emotional expression, the fusion of classical and Christian themes.

Slide - The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508–1512)

1. It integrates classical ideals with Christian themes, focusing on creation, sin, and redemption.

2. Depicts over 300 figures, including the iconic Creation of Adam.

3.      Impact: Revolutionized ceiling painting with its scale, complexity, and emotional depth, naturalism and spiritual grandeur.

Slide - La Pietà by Michelangelo (1498–1499)

1.      Idealized Beauty: Both figures are portrayed with calm, flawless perfection, reflecting Renaissance ideals.

2.      Pyramidal structure provides stability and balance.

3.      Lifelike Detail: Masterful carving of drapery and anatomy enhances realism.

Slide – The Atlas by Michelangelo (1525–1530)

·       Also called "Atlas Slave"

·       One of six Prigioni (or Slaves) sculptures

o   The Awakening Slave

o   The Young Slave

o   The Bearded Slave

o   The Dying Slave

o     The Rebellious Slave

·       Struggle of the human spirit; often interpreted as a metaphor for the soul trapped in the body

·       The "weight of the world" on his back, with arms raised as if burdened

·       Technique: Non-finito (unfinished style), showcasing the rough and incomplete form emerging from raw marble

o   Deliberately unfinished?

Slide - Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

1. A “Renaissance Man” - polymath, excelling in art, science, anatomy, and engineering.

2. Studied anatomy, mechanics, and flight; sketched early designs for inventions like flying machines.

Slide - Mona Lisa:

·       She was the wife of a wealthy Florentine silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo.

·       Famous for sfumato and lifelike expression.

o   a painting technique that creates soft, gradual transitions between colors and tones, often producing a smoky, blurred effect.

Slide – Golden Ratio

·       The Golden Ratio (Φ ≈ 1.618) is a mathematical proportion found in nature, art, and architecture.

·       It creates balance and harmony in design.

·       Fibonacci Sequence: A series of numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...

·       Each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers.

·       As the sequence progresses, the ratio between consecutive numbers approaches 1.618 (Golden Ratio).

·       Examples include spirals in nautilus shells, flower petals, and the arrangement of galaxies.

Slide: The Aerial Screw by Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1485)

• Designed with a spiral screw made of reed, linen, and wire to generate lift by compressing air.

  • Impractical

• Inspired by the Archimedean screw, applying fluid dynamics to air.

• Reflects Renaissance humanism, blending art, science, and technology.

• Influenced modern concepts of vertical flight and helicopter mechanics.

Slide: Donatello (c. 1386–1466)

• Introduced shallow relief (schiacciato), creating depth with subtle carving techniques.

• Influenced the development of perspective and spatial depth in sculpture.

• His works shaped the artistic foundation for later Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Slide - David by Donatello (c. 1440s)

·       Medium: Bronze, approximately 5 feet tall.

·       Description: Depicts David as a young, nude figure, standing over Goliath's severed head, holding the giant's sword. He wears a shepherd's hat and boots.

·       Artistic Innovations:

• First life-sized nude since antiquity, reviving classical traditions.

• Features contrapposto stance, enhancing naturalism and balance.

• Calm and introspective after his victory.

Slide: Lo Zuccone by Donatello (c. 1423–1425)

·       Medium: Marble sculpture, created for the Campanile (bell tower) of Florence Cathedral.

·       Description: Depicts the prophet Habakkuk, nicknamed "Lo Zuccone" ("The Bald One") due to his bald head. The figure has a gaunt, serious expression and draped clothing.

·       Artistic Innovations:

• Breaks from idealized forms, emphasizing raw human vulnerability and spiritual gravity.

• Features lifelike posture and detailed facial expressions, conveying deep introspection.

Slide: Raphael (1483–1520)

• Perfected perspective and spatial composition, known for idealized human figures and elegant poses..

• Revolutionized portraiture with a blend of psychological depth and physical beauty.

• His art became the model for Renaissance ideals of beauty and humanism, inspiring later generations.

• Died in 1520 at age 37.

Slide: The Wedding of the Virgin by Raphael (1504)

·       Marriage of the Virgin Mary and Joseph in front of a classical temple, with witnesses on both sides.

·       Artistic Innovations:

• Masterful use of linear perspective, with the temple as a focal point, creating depth and spatial harmony.

• Balanced composition, each with natural poses and emotional expression.

·       Symbolism:

• The central temple represents divine order and unity, symbolizing the sacred nature of the marriage.

• Demonstrates Raphael's growing mastery of perspective, composition, and humanist ideals.

Slide: The Disputation of the Sacrament by Raphael (1509–1510)

·       Medium: Fresco, in the Vatican.

·       Description: Depicts a theological scene with the Holy Trinity above and Church theologians, saints, and philosophers below, engaged in debate about the Eucharist.

·       Artistic Features:

• Symmetrical- two levels: heavenly and earthly realms.

• Linear perspective guides the eye toward the Eucharist at the center, emphasizing its significance.

• dialogue and inquiry.

·       Symbolism:

·       Legacy:

Slide: Baroque (c. 1600–1750)

• Definition: drama, movement, and emotional intensity.

• Key Features:

  • Use of contrast (light and shadow), known as chiaroscuro.

  • Dynamic compositions with a sense of motion and grandeur.

  • Strong focus on emotional impact and theatricality.

• Major Artists: Bernini, Rubens, Velázquez and Rembrandt.

• Purpose: Often used to evoke awe and inspire devotion, especially in religious and royal settings, aligning with the goals of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

Slide - Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) (1571–1610)

·       Artistic Style and Contributions:

• Pioneered Baroque realism with dramatic use of chiaroscuro “bright-dark”.

• gritty, lifelike, raw.

• immediacy to his works.

·       Controversies:

• Caravaggio led a turbulent life, often involved in violence and legal disputes. He fled Rome after committing manslaughter in 1606.

• Died under mysterious circumstances in 1610, but his impact on art history remains profound.

Slide - Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio (c. 1599)

·       Jewish heroine, beheads the Assyrian general Holofernes to save her people.

·       In Book of Judith, a commander serving King Nebuchadnezzar, who led military campaign to subdue rebellious nations,

·       He besieged Bethulia, a strategic Jewish city, he aimed to starve the population into submission.

·       His arrogance and sense of invincibility ultimately led to his downfall when he trusted Judith, allowing her access to his tent, where she killed him.

·       Symbolism: divine justice, faith and courage over oppression.

·       psychological tension and theatrical intensity.

Slide - The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio (c. 1602)

·       Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Judas betrays him with a kiss, and soldiers seize Christ.

• The dramatic scene captures the moment of tension, with Christ’s calm acceptance contrasted with the violent chaos around him.

·       Symbolism:

• The contrast between light and shadow symbolizes the divine and the human, with Christ bathed in light, representing purity and sacrifice, while the soldiers and Judas are cast in shadow, representing betrayal and sin.

• The painting explores themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and human weakness.