Download Aim: How did the Renaissance change European intellectual life?

Homework
• R-5 due tomorrow
• Current events article due Monday.
Aim #7: What were the characteristics of
Renaissance Art?
April 12, 2016
I. Medieval Art
A. Characteristics:
- Emphasis on religious images
- Flat (lacked depth, background)
- Dull Colors
- Unrealistic settings
- Disproportionate (religious figures depicted
the largest because they were considered
the most important)
- Rigid, with no appearance of movement
I. Medieval Art
1. How does this
painting
demonstrate the
characteristics of
Medieval Art?
Giotto: Madonna and Child (ca 1300): This painting
portrays the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne,
holding baby Jesus. They are surrounded by
saints and angels on both sides.
2. Why do you think
Medieval artists
were not interested
in brining more
color, movement or
realistic
proportions into
their work? What
was this main
priority?
II. Renaissance Art
A.
Characteristics:
- Religious and Classical Themes → Religious figures are still important,
but are portrayed more realistically with greater attention to their
everyday experiences and emotions (this is very humanist). Also,
artists are now also willing to portray subjects from Greek and
Roman history and mythology because Greek and Roman culture
were so admired during the Renaissance (this shows both classicism
and secularism).
- Use of perspective → Illusion of depth, three dimensions
- Very Realistic → Attention to shadows, light sources, accurate human
anatomy
- Celebration of the human body (very humanist, because humanism is
about praising the beauty and achievements of human beings)
- Elaborate backgrounds
- Vibrant colors and vivid details
- Objects are in proportion
- Appearance of movement
III. Famous Renaissance Artists
A. Leonardo Da Vinci (14521519)
– True Renaissance Man
– Scientist, inventor,
engineer and artist
– Dissected corpses in
order to study the
human body and make
his paintings more
realistic. He also
developed early airplane
models
– Famous paintings: Mona
Lisa, Madonna with a
Flower, The Last Supper
Da Vinci: Madonna with a Flower (1478)
Giotto: Madonna and Child (ca 1300)
3. What makes Da Vinci a Renaissance man?
4. How is Da Vinci’s portrayal of Jesus and Mary different from Giotto’s?
5. How does Da Vinci’s painting show the characteristics of Renaissance art?
6. Would you describe Da Vinci’s painting as a humanist work? Why or why not? Think
about the way Da Vinci portrays Jesus and Mary in answering this question.
Da Vinci: The Last Supper (1495-1498): This late 15th century mural painting portrays the last
supper that Jesus had with his disciples before he was arrested by the Romans and killed. In
the moment we see above, Jesus has just informed his disciples that one of them will betray
him to the Romans, and his disciples respond with shock, fear and sadness. The man who
will actually do this is Judas Iscariot, who is the black haired, bearded figure to Jesus’ left
who is seated at the table holding a bag of gold (his reward from the Romans for the
betrayal).
7. How does the painting show the characteristics of Renaissance art?
8. How does this painting show the values of humanism? Think about how Jesus and his
disciples are portrayed by Da Vinci.
III. Famous Renaissance Artists
B. Michelangelo
(1475-1564)
– Famous
Painting:
Ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo: Creation of Adam (Sistine Chapel): In this
painting, Michelangelo portrays the moment from the
Biblical book of Genesis where God first breathes life into
Adam, the first man he created.
9. What makes this painting a humanist work of art (think
about the portrayal of Adam, his relationship with
God, etc.)?
– Famous
Sculptures:
David, Pieta
– Incredible
energy and
endurance
10. Describe
David’s body,
facial expression,
posture and any
other notable
characteristics in
this sculpture.
11. How is this
sculpture a
humanist work of
art?
Michelangelo: David (1501-1504):
This sculpture is of the biblical
hero David right before he went
off the fight the Philistine giant
Goliath. David was the underdog
in this fight, but he went on to
win with only his slingshot.
III. Famous Renaissance Artists
12. How does this
painting reflect the
following
philosophies of
the Renaissance:
• Humanism
• Classicism
• Secularism
Raphael: The School of Athens (1509-1511): In this painting, Raphael portrays all the great
philosophers, scientists and mathematicians of Greece in one place. The two figures in
the center of the painting are Plato and Aristotle.
Concluding Question
• Of the artists you looked at today (Leonardo,
Michelangelo, Raphael), which one do you
think best reflects the values and goals of the
Renaissance? Why?