Renaissance Review

Subject Matter

• Annunciation: The announcement by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive the Son of God, Jesus

• Visitation: The visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, during which Elizabeth's unborn child, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb in recognition of the presence of Jesus.

• Nativity: The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, celebrated as a pivotal event in Christianity, often depicted in art with Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.

• Last Supper: The final meal shared by Jesus and his apostles before his crucifixion, during which he instituted the Eucharist and foretold his betrayal.

• The Passion: The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a central theme in Christian theology, symbolizing redemption and sacrifice for humanity's sins.

• Last Judgement: The final judgment of souls by Jesus Christ at the end of time, depicted in art as a moment of divine justice where the righteous are rewarded and the wicked are condemned.

• Lamentation: A scene depicting the mourning of Christ after his crucifixion, often portrayed with the Virgin Mary and other figures expressing profound sorrow, highlighting the emotional impact of Christ's sacrifice.

Questions

• Who made Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry: Created by the Limbourg Brothers

• What is Très Riches Heures: A richly illuminated manuscript that serves as a Book of Hours, showcasing the daily prayers and devotions of the owner, known for its exquisite miniatures and detailed depictions of seasonal activities.

• How can you tell a painting is from the north?: Northern Beauties (Pale skin, belly pudge, wide forehead) disguised symbolizing, intricate drapery

• What started the renaissance?: Door competition for the Florence Cathedral, prompted artists to be creative with their designs and techniques within architecture. Alberti is coined as the pioneer of the Renaissance period, he was mad about his loss to Ghiberti during the Florence Cathedral competition and innovated his art continuously which led innovations in Italy.

• What do wealthy Florentine homes usually have?: Three stories with dressing of the stone

• When an art piece has multiple scenes of a story on a single canvas: Continuous narrative

• How to tell if an art piece is Italian?: Momento Mori and classical architecture inclusions

• What family is famous for their use of terracotta?: Della-Robbia

• Why did the Della-Robia family use terrecotta?: Cheaper and more accessible

• How to recognize David and the Goliath Piece?: Sword and Goliath’s head

• Who made the Birth of Venus?: Botticelli

• What was Botticelli’s Birth of Venus known for?: Use of curvilinear lines and weightless forms

• What perspective was popular?: Linear Perspective

• Art Capitals of Renaissance?: Italy and Northern Europe (Belgium and Netherlands)

Art Works

Claus Sluter: Well of Moses

• 

  Moses, David, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Daniel, and Isaiah

• Prophets holding scrolls

• Life-sized

• 15 century Northern Europe

Limbourg Brothers: Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry

• Characteristic activities of each month

• 15th century Northern Europe

• Prayer book/manuscript

• Colors & Ink on Vellum

• Integration of secular and non-secular art

• Limbourgs are from the Netherlands

• Lunettes above each month showcasing the zodiac signs and chariot

• Shows the Duke being cultured and his relationship with his people

• February

  • 1413-1416

  • frigid cold winter

  • peasants doing things

• May

  • celebrating May Day

  • Men and Women dressed best and on horses

  • Northern Beauty presented in the middle (Possibly Joan II, pale skin, big forehead, pudge)

• October

  • Cast shadows

  • naturalism

  • rendered carefully

  • focuses on daily peasantry

Robert Campin: Annunciation Triptych (The Merode Altarpiece)

• small altarpiece for private patrons

• husband and wife in gothic tracery, they are kneeling in prayer on the left

• combining religious and secular ideals

• disguised symbolism within piece, the household items represent religious things

• Purity represented in the book, single candle, lily,