Early Renaissance Art and Architecture Medieval Art vs

Early Renaissance Art and Architecture

Medieval Art vs. Renaissance Art • During the Middle Ages – Find God – Prove pre-conceived ideas (in other words, not try to challenge the “status quo” what they had always believed. • During the Renaissance – Find man – Promote learning

Fun fact about art during the Middle Ages… • During the Middle Ages, saints in paintings wore halos around their heads. They also had these figures larger in scale than ordinary or less important figures.

Humanism • Pursuit of individualism – Recognition that humans are creative – Appreciation of art as a product of man • Basic culture needed for all • Life could be enjoyable • People wanted to learn and embraced growth as a human

Renaissance Man (embodies Humanism) • Broad knowledge about many things in different fields • Deep knowledge of skill in one area • Able to link areas and create new knowledge

So let’s talk Renaissance Art • Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo (da Vinci), and Raphael • Okay, so not those guys, but don’t those names sound familiar?

Donatello Saint George David Mary Magdalene

Leonardo da Vinci • Mona Lisa • Last Supper

Raphael • Madonnas

Michelangelo • David Statue • Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Early Renaissance Architecture

Filippo Brunelleschi • Pazzi Palace Chapel • Compare to Gothic

Filippo Brunelleschi • Il Duomo Cathedral’s dome (Florence)

Dome Comparison Il Duomo (Florence) St. Peter’s (Rome) St. Paul’s (London) US capital

Early Renaissance Art • What was different in the Renaissance: – Realism – Perspective – Classical (pagan) themes – Geometrical arrangement of figures – Light and shadowing – Softening of edges – Backgrounds – Artist able to live from commissions (able to make a living doing this)

The Art of Two Eras • Middle Ages (Medieval Art) • Religions subjects since the church was the main art patron (customer; YAY vocab word!) • Figures long and stiff • Figures grouped in unnatural geometric patterns • Faces show littler or no emotion • Scenes appear flat • Scenes have no clear light source • Gothic architecture (especially churches) • Tall and thin buildings • Homes usually simple squares • • • Renaissance Art Religious or other subjects based on patrons’ wishes Figures rounded and realistic Figures grouped in natural, realistic poses Faces showed expression (YAY another vocab word!)…joy, pain, etc Natural backgrounds Use of perspective to show depth Use of light and shadow for realism Buildings “hugged the earth” and had columns, arches, and domes Circular or square churches common Homes built around courtyards

Masaccio • Realism and expression – The Expulsion from Paradise

Masaccio • Perspective – Tribute Money – Size of people diminishes with distance – Use of light, shadow and drama

Perspective

Art Gallery • Directions: • 1. You and your group will have 1 -2 minutes at each picture to determine if the image is Middle Ages (Medieval Art) or Renaissance Art. • 2. You will also have to provide an explanation on your papers as to WHY you are making that selection.