Post #8 - Lecture - Renaissance - Realism

Renaissance was a focused period in Europe, and mostly Italy from the 1300's through the 1500's. It led to the relapsed interest of classical antiquity, humanist philosophy, human worth, etc. New technologies were born like the printing press. Humanism was a huge part of the Renaissance as the art was more life-like compared to the Byzantine art style. Byzantine art often emphasized religion whereas Renaissance focuses on the human body and the realism of it. Often Byzantine art looks flat and Renaissance art looks more real. Fresco was a common style of painting at this time - it is where they would wet plaster and paint with watercolor over it which is how it is so well preserved. Other Painting styles at this time are tempera and oils. Tempera was for small religious panels and oils was favored by most of the late Renaissance artists. Filippo Brunelleschi was one of the first celebrities from this period - in 1418 he was a part of the competition to design the dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Two-dimensional was founded which used one vanishing point and where all lines looked to have converged. Renaissance artists believed that people should be painted of realistic size. Masaccio incorporated a degree of naturalism in his work. Alberti was the "Ultimate Renaissance Man" and he focused on the art of building (Basilica of Santa Maria Novella). Medici Family were a big patron of the arts. They often commissioned the art from this time as was done by the wealthy. In the Renaissance, artists didn't pick what they wanted to paint, instead they were told by the commissioners. Renaissance art hit big under Pope Leo X. Mythological life was introduced but still in a way to look real (like in the Birth of Venus). Leonardo da Vinci was also a key member during this time, he was an artist and an inventor. He made his money by being commissioned for art, but inventing was his passion. He is famous for the Mona Lisa and it is famous because the mastery of the Human anatomy and natural realism. Four modes of Renaissance painting: sfumato, cangiante, chiaroscuro, unione, and tenebrism. Michelangelo was one of the most brilliant, he was left handed despite being against societal norms. He pained the Sistine Chapel ceiling and often used shapes from human organs. Michelangelo sculpted David and started at age 26. Raphael started a new concept of erudite and scholar. He was a master printer and architect. His work was crucial for modern conception. Jan van Eyck waited with oil paints and created Arnolfini Portrait. Surrealism in this time was founded by Bosch - the "first surrealist". Camera Obscura because a breakthrough of this time - it was a natural optical phenomenon that allowed the image of a scene to be projected through a small hole. da Vinci published the first clear description of it. The Grid helped reproduce an image and was used to enlarge drawings. in Vitruvian Man, Leonardo depicts proper measurements of a person as god created. The printing press helped recreate letters and writing. Mannerist artists turned away the harmony and ideal proportions of the Renaissance. Mannerism is a painting style or sculpture or architecture that bridged idealized style of Renaissance and dramtic theatricality of Baroque.  Baroque art was characterized by movement - it creates drama. Rococo style welcomes freedom to enjoy life without control of religion. Romantic Art focused on emotions.