The Renaissance #2

The High Renaissance

  • The High Renaissance is defined as a period spanning from 1495 to the deaths of Leonardo da Vinci in 1519 and Raphael in 1520.

  • Key characteristics of the Cinquecento Renaissance (15th century):

    • Technical quality

    • Aesthetic quality

    • Renewed interest in classical culture, which includes the study and representation of:

    • Perspective

    • Proportion

    • Human anatomy

  • A new style named Mannerism emerged during the second half of the 15th century, challenging Renaissance naturalism.

  • Notable geographical focus: Rome.

The “Renaissance Man”

  • Definition: A “Renaissance man” refers to an individual who possesses talents and knowledge across various fields.

  • Example: Artists during this period often engaged in multiple disciplines, thus earning the title.

  • An instance of self-promotion is exemplified by the self-advertising letter that artists like Leonardo would have sent to future employers such as Sforza.

Techniques in Art

Chiaroscuro

  • Defined as the technique of modeling with light and shadow, significant in Masaccio’s work and perfected by Leonardo.

  • Purpose: To create the illusion of volume and roundness on a two-dimensional surface.

Notable Works

Madonna of the Rock

  • Artist: Leonardo da Vinci

  • Date begun: 1483

  • Medium: Oil on wood (transferred to canvas)

  • Dimensions: 6’6” x 4’

  • Location: Musee du Louvre, Paris.

  • Innovations shown in this work:

    • Expressing emotional states.

    • Use of pyramidal grouping.

    • Incorporation of atmospheric perspective.

    • The work is described as an emotionally and visually unified image representing the “man’s soul.”

Cartoon for Madonna and Child with Saint Anne and the Infant Saint John

  • Date: ca. 1505-07

  • Medium: Charcoal heightened with white on brown paper

  • Dimensions: 4’6” x 3’3”

  • Location: London

  • Characteristics:

    • Preliminary drawing that illustrates the development of Leonardo's techniques.

    • Presents an intellectual pictorial logic, hinting at visual impressions conveyed through numerical values.

Fresco Painting

  • The technique of fresco secco painting is highlighted, which involves painting on dry plaster.

  • Notable Work: ### Last Supper

    • Date: ca. 1495-98

    • Medium: Oil and tempera on plaster

    • Dimensions: 13’9” x 29’10”

    • Location: Refectory, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.

  • Key aspects:

    • A symmetric composition focusing on the perspective and its symbolic meaning.

    • The arrangement of the disciples into four groups, with each figure expressing distinct emotions.

    • Detailed psychological profiles of the disciples, showcasing Leonardo’s interest in emotional expression.

Restoration Results

  • Importance of restoration efforts for artworks like Last Supper, evidenced by comparison of results.

Non-Traditional Portraits

Mona Lisa

  • Date: ca. 1503-05

  • Medium: Oil on wood

  • Dimensions: 2’6” x 1’9”

  • Location: Musee du Louvre, Paris.

  • Notable Characteristics:

    • A landscape serves as the background, differing from typical portraiture of the time, influenced by Fra Filippo Lippi’s work.

    • Chiaroscuro used effectively to create modeling effects.

    • Utilization of atmospheric perspective.

Sfumato

  • Definition: Sfumato means “smoky” in Italian, denoting a technique that creates a hazy softness around outlines, enhancing the realism of the artwork.

  • Leonardo was recognized as a master in executing meticulous details.