Renaissance |
Introduction |
| When: |
1400-1520 |
| Where: |
Began in Florence, Italy and spread to the rest
of Europe. |
| Who: |
Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Raphael. |
| What: |
'Rebirth' of culture after the Middle
Ages. |
| |
1. Rediscovery of the art and literature of Greece
and Rome, |
| |
2. Scientific study of the body and the natural
world |
|
- Study of God shifted to the study of Man. |
| |
- America discovered by Columbus in 1492 - Earth
not flat! |
| |
- Copernicus placed the sun in the center of the
visible universe. |
| |
3. The intent to reproduce the forms of nature
realistically. |
| Top 4 Breakthroughs of Renaissance: |
|
1. Oil Painting
Previously, paintings were made using tempera (egg white with
pigment) on wood panels and fresco on plaster walls. During
the Renaissance, oil painting was improved and became popular.
More colours can be made and tone gradations can be achieved
more easily.
Eg: Leonardo da Vinci "Mona Lisa" 1500-2 oil on
wood 30.3x20.9in |
|
2. Perspective (Linear/Aerial)
Creating illusion of depth on a flat surface. Lines appear to
converge at a point called the vanishing point. Size
of objects are reduced or blurred as the objects got farther
away.
Eg: Leonardo da Vinci "The Last Supper" 1495-7 |
|
3. The Use of Light and Shadow (Chiaroscuro)
Means "light/dark" in Italian. Refers to the rendering
of forms in painting by which lighter parts seemed to emerge
from darker areas, producing the illusion of rounded, sculptural
relief on a flat surface.
Eg. Michelangelo "The Creation of Adam" (Sistine
Chapel) 1508-12 |
|
4. Pyramid Configuration
A symmetrical composition that builds to a climax at the center.
Eg. Raphael "The School of Athens" 1510-1 |
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Mannerism |
Introduction |
| When: |
c1520-c1600 (Late Renaissance) |
| What: |
After Raphael, art reached a 'peak' of perfection
and harmony. So what now? |
| How: |
Replace harmony with dissonance, reason with emotion,
reality with imagination.
- Figures twist and turn in unnecessary contrapposto.
- Bodies distorted, elongated and muscular. |
| |
El Greco
"The Burial of Count Orgasz" 1586
|
El Greco
"View of Toledo" 1597 |
Tintoretto
"The Last Supper" 1594
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Baroque |
Introduction |
| When: |
c1600-c1750 |
| What: |
Linking the techniques and grand scale of the
Renaissance and the emotion and drama of Mannerism. |
| How: |
Use of light and darkness to achieve maximum emotional
impact.
Theatrical, out to ‘impress’. |
| |
The paintings almost look like a set from a theatrical
production. |
| |
The subjects for painting was no longer restricted
to religious subjects. Scenes of both historical and contemporary
events are depicted. |
| Who: |
Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens,
Rembrandt and Vermeer. |
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Rococo |
Introduction |
| When: |
1720-1780 |
| What: |
Primarily a form of interior decoration with organic
motifs, emphasing on the curves. |
| How: |
Decorative, energetic and ‘playful’. |
| Who: |
Watteau & Fragonard. |
| |
Watteau
"Pilgrimage to Cythera" 1717 |
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