Part 1 of Chapter 22 High Renaissance-Italy
The term ‘High Renaissance’ is reserved for a very short period of time from 1495 to around 1527.
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian are usually the four artists who are said to contribute to this period’s art of the genius. Their art has been used to teach, theirs' are masterful works representing the culmination of observation, perspective, chiaroscuro, space and depth as well as building design and interior design and rise to the highest level. The gains made by these artists in prestige are felt even by modern artists of today.
Although we look primarily to the paintings of Leonardo, we know him to be an extremely versatile man with abilities in many areas.
v List some areas in which he was also well versed.
v The chiaroscuro Leonardo uses in Virgin of the Rocks is probably due to the study of _______________________________________________________________________________________ although this is a technique developed over generations.
v The images to be painted on the walls were often drawn in charcoal or conte crayon on white or brown paper. The image became known as a ________________________.
v Where and when was the Last Supper painted. What was Leonardo's technique and what condition is the fresco today?
v Describe compositional innovations in this painting and in the Mona Lisa.
v What Leonardo drawings did scientists admire and respect?
v Pope Julius II is known for his “endowment” of the arts. Briefly describe his goal for the papacy and the arts he encouraged.
The architect with whom Leonardo worked and may have influenced while in Milan was Donato d’Angelo Bramante. Bramante developed the High Renaissance form of the central plan church. Influenced by ______________________________ and _______________________________ he designs a perfect prototype for a classical, domed temple called _____________________________________.
His design of this small cylindrical building meant to mark the location where St. Peter’s crucifixion took place, Bramante employed a composition of volumes, masses, solids, and voids.
v Employing the rhythmical use of the classical tholos ideals, how has Bramante transformed design in ancient building to be a contemporary and beautiful work of art?truly
Michelangelo
“Whatever can be said greatly through sculpture and painting must be said through the human figure.” -- Michelangelo
v Compare the ‘heroic’ qualities of David with Hellenistic Greek sculpture (5-65, 5-80 & 5-81). Have we seen work like Michelangelo’s David? Since the Hellenistic Greek period?
Creating the designs and paintings for the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling took Michelangelo only 4 years. In all of the work, he has used strongly dramatic poses and focal points.
v Using the work, Creation of Adam (22-14) describe how he composes this image.
Raphael
During his stay in Florence he was able to see first hand how painting had taken a turn from what he’d learned being Perugino’s apprentice.
v The space within The School of Athens (22-17) is important because…
His work on Madonnas changed after seeing Leonardo’s Virgin of the Rocks and the cartoon for The Virgin and Child with St. Anne and the Infant St. John.
v What influences from Leonardo’s style did Raphael employ and which ones did he shun?
The work, Galatea (22-20) painted by Raphael for the wealthy banker Agostino Chigi in 1513 represents a revival of the bright world of gods and heroes. This becomes a new beginning for classical art. Raphael was also an accomplished portrait artist. In painting Baldessare Castiglione, Raphael captures the personality of this learned man who wrote about beauty and love.
v What style characteristics does Raphael employ?
Michelangelo
v Gardner states “…contortion is a staple of Michelangelo’s art.” Explain what this statement means.
v What was Michelangelo’s philosophy regarding architecture? Give a few examples.
The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius was moved from its original location to that of the Campidogli by the order of Pope Paul III. In order to connect the statue to the surrounding buildings, Michelangelo used an oval pavement design.
v Why is this significant?
v Michelangelo’s breadth of work carries one from the end of the 15th century, through the short period of the high renaissance then paves the path to what two styles?
1.
2.