Rediscovering the

Classical Tradition

Through ArtT.C.I. 7.5.1.3

Classical Period, 500 BC-500 AD

• Sculpture, pottery, murals, mosaics• Show importance of people and gods• Do real tasks of daily living• Calm without emotion• Looks idealized and perfect• Body looks active, in motion• Body often nude• Little sense of background

Identify qualities of the

Classical Period listed in

the previous slide.

Discobolus by Myron created about 450 BC

Classical Art Example

Characteristics of Classical Art

• Figures look idealized, perfect

• Bodies look active, move convincingly

• Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in togas

• Faces are bland and calm, without emotion

• Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing real tasks of daily life

• Little background or sense of perspective

Narthex Tympanum, Medieval Sculpture, 1120 AD

• Jesus is center figure• Sends apostles (around Him) out to the

world to preach• Tiny figures on bottom and arching around

are those waiting for apostle preachers• Most important (Jesus) is center and

largest• Bodies not important or realistic. Artist

wanted to create religious meaning

Narthex Tympanum, Medieval Sculpture, 1120 AD

Medieval Sculpture Example

Characteristics of Medieval Art

• Subjects are mostly religious

• Figures look flat and stiff with little real movement

• Important figures are large

• Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff-looking clothes

• Faces are solemn, with little emotion

• Paintings use vibrant colors

• Flat, two-dimensional painted figures

• Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no interest in creating realistic space

School of Athens, Renaissance Art by Raphael, 1510 AD

• Great thinkers of ancient Greece gather to discuss important ideas

• Each figure gestures and actively moves• Figures interacting with other figures• Emotions show how important their ideas

are to them• Arches frame the 2 most important,

Aristotle and Plato• Perspective used to show great space

School of Athens, Renaissance Art by Raphael, 1510 AD

Renaissance Art Example

Characteristics of Renaissance Art• Both religious and nonreligious scenes

• Figures look idealized, perfect

• Bodies may look active, moving

• Bodies may be nude or clothed

• Real people doing real tasks of daily life

• Faces express what people are thinking

• Colors respond to the light that falls on them

• Interest in nature, lots of natural detail

• Full, deep backgrounds with perspective

• Paintings are symmetrical

Madonna and Child with Two Angels by Filippo Lippi

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Madonna and Child with Two Angels by Filippo Lippi, 1406 AD

• Renaissance• Angel’s emotion: proud• Baby fat, round, like a real baby; reaches toward

mother• Hands draw attention toward Mary’s face• Landscape behind open window• Triangular shape formed by figures

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Bathing Venus, Artist unknown

Bathing VenusArtist Roman, unknown, 300 BC

• Classical• Venus, goddess of love and beauty• Young, beautiful, nude• Graceful and modestly posing• All move inward, emphasizing modesty• Symbolize serenity and balance of

classics

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Venus and Adonis by

Titan

Venus and Adonis by Titan, 1550 AD

• Renaissance• Titan is a Venetian artist who painted this for the

king of Spain• Goddess Venus tries to protect Adonis from the

hunt that will end his life• God of war looks down from the sky• Figures, even dogs all move convincingly • Faces indicate emotion• Deep landscape showing background with light

and air

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Madonna and Child in Majesty

By Cimabue

Madonna and Child in Majesty by Cimabue, 1280 AD

• Medieval• Large (12 ft ) of Virgin Mary and Jesus• Jesus has the look of an older child rather

than infant• Flat characters, edged in gold leaf, looking

heavenly, but not rounded or real• Prophet background smaller than

Madonna, trying to give feel of perspective

Grave Stele of Hegeso

Artist unknown

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Grave Stele of HegesoArtist unknown, 400 BC

• Classical Art• Stele is a grave stone, marker• Wealthy woman is scene of daily life• No suggestion of background, carving not

deep• Figures realistic• Figures balanced and harmonious• Faces calm and smooth

Bayeux Tapestry

Renaissance, Medieval, or Classical Art

Bayeux Tapestryembroidered in 1082

• Medieval• Bayeux Tapestry is majestic, over 70 meter long• Shows William the Conqueror who defeats

Harold of England• Knights swear loyalty• Church supports the king• Bodies stiff and flat• Faces with simple lines, expressionless

Pieta

Renaissance, Medieval,

or Classical Art

Pieta by Michelangelo, 1475 AD

• Renaissance• Mary and Jesus both beautiful and young• Limp figure, emotional grief• Deep folds carved into marble• Triangular, pyramid shape

Art

• Summarize the differences between Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Art. In what ways are they similar?