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Key Ideas
Printmaking introduced
portrays lifelike human forms with correct proportions and realistic clothing and expressions
develops new techniques to give paintings a more three-dimensional, life-like quality, and commonly
studied human and animal anatomy in efforts to better understand the subjects
ARTISTIC INFLUENCES
Humanizing influence
Early Renaissance
Donatello
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Donatello's teacher
known for bronze relief sculpture for the doors of the baptistery of the cathedral in florence 923 y/o)
Masaccio
the first Renaissance artist to paint models in the nude, often using light and shadow to
define the shape of his models rather than clear lines
* in fresco
* influential for its realism, especially the simplicity and three-dimensionality of the figures, and for
the dramatic depiction of the plight of Adam and Eve.
Images
Florence Baptistery
Artists valued for individuality and imaginative powers and ability to depict idealized figures in
complex poses
Leonardo da Vinci- painter but as an architect, sculptor, engineer, scientist, musician, all-around
intellectual
ultimate "Renaissance man" for the breadth of his intellect, interest and talent and his expression of
humanist and classical values
best-known works
showcase his unparalleled ability to portray light and shadow, as well as the physical relationship
between figures–humans, animals and objects alike–and the landscape around them.
drew on the human body for inspiration and created works on a vast scale
Achieved greatness as a painter as well, notably with his giant fresco covering the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel, completed over four years (1508-12) and depicting various scenes from Genesis
Raphael Sanzio
His paintings–most notably "The School of Athens" (1508-11), painted in the Vatican at the same
time that Michelangelo was working on the Sistine Chapel
Images
Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
Sistine chapel (Creation of Adam), David, and Pieta *(flowing drapery, *soft flesh) by Michelangelo
"The School of Athens" and Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael (1508-11)
Late Renaissance
Giambologna(Giovanni Bologna); mannerist sculptor
*elongation of figures
*Intertwining figures
Images
KEY IDEAS
High Renaissance - apex of classical balance, harmony, and restraint (Michaelangelo, da Vinci,
Raphael); ca. 1500-25
notable for its intellectual sophistication as well as its artificial (as opposed to naturalistic) qualities
favors compositional tension and instability rather than the balance and clarity of earlier Renaissance
painting
Features elegantly elongated figures, decorative, unnatural colors, and difficult, twisting poses
baroque
In mid-motion
Mouths open
Images
David by Bernini
*in mid-action
*harp symbolizes being a psalmist
*meant to be seen from multiple views
Relies on movement
Facades undulate
Emphasis on the center
Images
Versailles
BAROQUE PAINTING
Early Baroque ca. 1600-25
features photorealism
Caravaggio
Employs realistic approach to the human figure, painted directly from life
Boucher
Landscape (Ruisdael)
Still Life
French artist Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin
Portraiture (Hals)
Other images
The storm on the sea of galilee, 1633. The painting is still missing after robbery from the isabella
stewart garden museumn 1990. (Rembrandt)
augmented by extravagant effects (e.g. strong curves, rich decoration, stark lighting
characterized by great drama, rich, deep colour, and intense light and dark shadows
characterized by soft colors and curvy lines, and depicts scenes of love, nature, amorous encounters,
light-hearted entertainment, and youth
the word “rococo” derives from rocaille, which is French for rubble or rock
Rocaille (decorative stonework) refers to the shell-work in garden grottoes and is used as a
descriptive word for the serpentine patterns seen in the Decorative Arts of the Rococo period.
ROCOCO SCULPTURE
made strong usage of creamy, pastel-like colors, asymmetrical designs, curves and gold
more playful
Rococo Painting
Slender figures
Pastel hues
Fete galante
Curvilinear
Images
Jean Antoine Watteau, La Surprise – A couple embracing while a figure dressed as Mezzetin tunes a
guitar