Renaissance Art Giotto di Bondone b 1267 d

Renaissance Art

Giotto di Bondone (b. 1267 - d. 1337) l Giotto is mentioned by name in Dante’s inferno (Dante feared history would forget Giotto. Not so! Modern artists often seek inspiration from Giotto) l In common with other artists of his day, Giotto lacked the technical knowledge of anatomy and perspective that later painters learned. l But, he possessed a grasp of human emotion and what was significant in human life l He created compelling pictures of people under stress, of people caught up in crises and soul searching decisions.

Giotto (1267 -1337) Crucifix * Christ is depicted as a real man and in a more natural pose. * Use of chiaroscuro (technique of using light and shad)

Donatello (b. 1386 - d. 1466) l Master of sculpture in bronze and marble l Patrons often found him hard to deal with because he demanded a measure of artistic freedom in a day when artists’ working conditions were regulated by guild rules l He was a connoisseur of ancient art

Donatello David and Goliath (1440 s) * 62. 5 inches tall * The first unsupported standing work in bronze cast since classical times * This statue originally belonged to Cosimo de Medici * Created a sensation due to its portrayal of a nude young male * The effeminately depicted David has a mysterious smile on his face.

Sandro Botticelli (1445 -1510) * Early Renaissance painter * Worked for the great families of Florence, especially the de Medicis * Tried to reconcile classical and Christian views in his works * With the expulsion of the de Medicis from Florence in the 1490 s by the fanatic monk Savonarola, his works reflected an intense religious devotion.

Botticelli: Adoration of the Magi l Contains the likenesses of the Medici family (though not commissioned by the Medicis) l The scene is a ruined classical temple building l It was considered to be the symbol of the destruction of the heathen world by Christ’s arrival

Botticelli: Birth of Venus l Venus was the Roman Goddess of Love l Based on the myth that Venus was born of the waves of the sea l Pagan in nature, at a time when most artworks depicted Roman Catholic themes l Surprising that this painting escaped the flames of Savonarola’s bonfires – when other works of Botticelli perished.

Botticelli: Birth of Venus

Botticelli: Madonna of the Pomegranate Note the similarity between the face of the Virgin in this painting, and the face of Venus in Birth of Venus. l Meaning of Pomegranate: the wealth of seeds convey the fullness of Christ’s suffering l The beginning of the prayer of the rosary – a prayer created in the 15 th c. – is embroidered on the angel’s sleeve. Ave Grazia Plena (Hail Mary, full of grace) l

Botticelli: Madonna of the Pomegranate

Raphael l Master painter and architect of the Italian High Renaissance l Best known for his Madonnas and his large figure compositions in the Vatican

Raphael (14831520) Madonna di Foligno

Raphael: School of Athens * A depiction of philosophy * Figures represent each subject that must be mastered in order to hold a true philosophic debate (astronomy, geometry, arithmetic) * Plato and Aristotle are at the top steps * Man leaning on the block is Michelangelo (who Raphael added later after viewing the Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel) * Raphael painted himself into the artwork * A fresco

Massico (c. 1401 -1427) l First great painter of the Italian Renaissance l His innovations in the use of scientific perspective inaugurated the modern era in painting. l Was influenced by Giotto, but more strongly influenced by Brunelleschi and Donatello, two of his contemporaries.

Massacio: The Holy Trinity * A fresco * Executed in perfect perspective

Leonard da Vinci (b. 1452 – d. 1519) l Considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time l Has been described as the archetype of the “Renaissance man” l He was an artist, engineer, anatomist, physiologist, and more l He conceived of ideas vastly ahead of his own time

Leonardo da Vinci Lady with an Ermine * Uses geometric proportions * Ermine is a symbol of chastity * Ironic that the subject was a mistress to the Duke of Milan

Leonardo da Vinci: Last Supper

Da Vinci: Mona Lisa

Michelangelo Buonarroti (b. 1475 – d. 1564) l Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. l Like da Vinci, his rival and fellow Florentine, he is a contender for the title of archetypal Renaissance man. l Sculpted David as a model of heroic courage in the hope that Florentines would be alert and mobilize to confront outside threats

Michelangelo (1475 -1564) David * Marble * 14. 24 ft tall

Michelangelo: Sistine Chapel * He was reluctant to do it because his passion was sculpting and he did not consider himself a painter

Michelangelo: Sistine Chapel Creation of Adam

Hieronymus Bosch (1450 -1516) The Garden of Earthly Delights * A Dutch painter * Many of his works depict sin and human moral failings * His works contain complex, highly original, imaginative, and dense use of symbolic figures and iconography. * He is said to have been an inspiration to the surrealist movement of the 20 th century

Bosch: Ship of Fools * Bosch is imagining that we are all fools traveling the seas of time on a ship

El Greco (b. 1541 – d. 1614) l From Crete (El Greco means “The Greek”) l Painter, sculptor and architect who settled in Spain and is regarded as the first great genius of the Spanish School.

El Greco Adoration of the Shepherds * Places great emphasis on the expression of emotions and gestures * Makes remarkable use of light

Jan Van Eyck (b. 1385 – d. 1441) l Flemish (Belgian) painter l Achieved new and remarkable effects in oil painting l Van Eyck, like most painters, signed and dated his paintings on the frames – as the two were painted at the same time. l An exception to the above rule is his celebrated Arnolfini Portrait – one of his masterpieces.

Jan Van Eyck Arnolfino Wedding * He signed his name above the mirror in this portrait – “Jan Van Eyck was here” * Small dog is a symbol of fertility * Mirror reflects the witnesses * Lighting

Van Eyck: The Madonna of Chancellor Rolin

Holbein the Younger (b. 1497 – d. 1543) l German painter, draftsman and designer renowned for the precise rendering of his drawings and the compelling realism of his portraits – particularly those recording the court of King Henry VIII of England. l His The Ambassadors was presented as a “picture with a secret” – in line with a custom that was to become common, especially in Germany.