Renaissance

1400 - 1600

Facts• Renaissance is the French word for rebirth

• It was a rebirth of interest in classical learning

• Painters studied works of Greece and Rome

• Printing press was invented

• Explorers brought Europeans in contact with other parts of the world

• Trade and commerce created large wealthy middle class

• The Renaissance style of painting began with Italy then spread to other parts of Europe.

• The Catholic Church was the most concept important patron

• Religion was the most important subject of the time

• Oil painting was invented

• Canvas allowed painters to roll and transport works, so the buying and selling of art grew.

• Italian architect and sculptor developed the mathematical rules of linear or scientific perspective

• Grand subject matter, bright, pure colors, and formal composition

MasaccioThe Madonna of Humility

Artist: • Considered to be the founder of Renaissance painting• 26 or 27 when he died• 1st painter to use techniques of linear perspective• Many works were frescoes on church walls.• It is said, people ran out in fear when they saw his painting, “The Holy

Trinity”, because they believed they were really seeing Jesus on the Cross. They weren’t used to such realism.

• Used a single light source.

Painting:• Light shines from top and front• Tempera on wood panel•Symbols= Blue is purity and holiness.Gold-Gods presenceRed- high status.Haloes- holiness (even on dove)Dove-the holy spirit.Rays of light from dove- holySpirit flowing down on Madonna

Master of the Saint Lucy Legend

Mary, Queen of HeavenArtist:• We don’t know the artist’s name so it given title of " Master

of” one of the works he is known for.• Created 30 works about the life of Saint Lucy.• Paintings include oval faces with reserved expressions,

intense color, elaborate detail of texture.

Paintings: • Decorated church altar, 6’x5’= large• Crowded with figures and activity• Color moves us through the paintings• Red of gown draws attention to Mary.• Vertical line of gown draws our attention upwards to God

and Jesus.• Contrast of greens set Mary apart.• White gowns keep our eyes moving.• Formal composition helps emphasize to the main subject,

Mary.• Musical instruments are accurate representations of

instruments during the artist time.• Sheet music in detail so you can read notes.• A dove above Mary’s crown.

Filippino LippiSaint Jerome in his StudyArtist• Filippino means little Filippo• Son of a famous artist• One of his first commissions was to finish works that Masaccio

didn’t finish before his death, and you couldn’t tell which was which.

Paintings• St. Jerome known for translating the Bible into Latin• Smooth painting on wood panel. Can’t see brush strokes• Lines on the table are actually cut in into the wood.• Horizontal and vertical lines organize the composition and

separates the viewer from the subject, keeping us apart from this holy and important man.

• Straight lines contrast with the curves in the robe• Contrast of lines and texture adds interest• Red and neutral tones

Albrecht Durer

Portrait of a ClergymanArtist:•Son and grandson of goldsmiths•German•Scholar, poet, and one of the best woodcut engravers of all time.• Converted to Protestant religion ,but still had Catholic patrons.• First artist to do a series of self portraits. Earliest work was a self portrait at the age of 13.• Gives great attention to detail and realism.• Portraits famed for accuracy, a sense of character, and personality• Liked to experiment with materials. Worked on linen and silk sometimes.•First to use watercolor seriously.

Painting:•On parchment (animal skin) which adds to the smoothness and richness of color.• Position an expression shows the man is more concerned with thoughts and religious goals than anything else.•Dark, plain clothing adds to the seriousness.•Great detail…can even see the reflection of window panes in the sitter’s eyes.

Sebastiano del Piombo

Anton Francesco degli AlbizziArtist:• Italian• Considered most gifted portrait painter in Rome.• Del Piombo refers to his appointment for the Catholic

Pope as the keeper of the Papal seals. The seals are made of lead which is “piombo” in Italian.

• After his appointment to this well paying position, he became less active as a painter.

Painting:• 3xs the size of Durer’s portrait and also different because

of clothing, pose, and texture.• Albizzi, a wealthy Florentine nobleman, commissioned this

work as a record of his social status and power as well as his appearance.

• ¾ length portriat• Vertical lines of the fur trim suggests strength and power.• Elaborate robe and rich fabric indicates wealth.• Pose suggests he feels more important than other people.

Paolo Veronese

The AnnunciationArtist:• Called Veronese because his is from the city of Verona.

Real name is Paolo Caliari.• Considered to be one of the greatest Venetion painters of

the 16th century.• Venice painters emphasized light and color• Questioned by the Inquisition because the felt he added too

many unsuitable details and improper figures ina painting of the last supper, so they renamed it to a less Important feast.

Painting:• An altarpiece half as large a Mary, Queen of Heaven.

Probably meant for a private chapel.• Shows Mary hearing from the angel, Gabriel, about bearing

Jesus.• The architecture is from the artist’s time, but the clothing is

from theirs.• Flickering effects of light, shadow, and muted shimmering

colors are typical of the Veronese style.• Curving lines of clothing separate Mary and Gabriel from

their surroundings giving them our attention.• Solid forms and architecture suggests permanence and

order.

El Greco

Saint Martin and the BeggarArtist:• Spanish, but born on the island of Crete.• El Greco means “the Greek”• Most subjects were religious• Used dark outlining to define figures and add drama• Famous during lifetime, but fell out of fashion. Took over 300 years before

his art was recognized again.• Figures are elongated and stretched.

Painting:

• St Martin was a Calvary officer serving under Constantine the Great. He came upon a beggar in the cold and gave him half of his cloak. Christ appeared to him in a dream and told him. “What you have done for him, you have done for me.”

• 6’ x 3’• Point of View is like we are looking up at them making them larger• Used deliberate distortion to create a spiritual or “other worldly” impression• Used variety of brush strokes from detailed to loose