Rennaisance

• The Renaissance period (1400-1600) derived its name from

  the French word that means "rebirth." The artworks during

  this period were inspired by the Greek artistic tradition,

  although they became more worldly.
• The works of Renaissance portrayed

  individuality and the value of the human being was its

  motivating factor. The artists were interested in showing the

  human character, the capabilities of the mind and body,

  social relationships, economic condition, and the people's

  place in political life.
• During this time, artists began to use linear perspective as an important tool to create depth on their paintings
• Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is one of the most famous examples of the use of linear perspective in painting
• The Renaissance period enabled

  human beings to achieve their highest potentials by applying

  perfection of beauty, and by practicing intellectual exchanges,

  exploration, and experimentation. Which is why this period was named "The age of humanism"
• Renaissance art

  and culture travelled around the globe through trade and

  conquest.
• Materialism and individualism drove the people to acquire more wealth.
• Italy

  became the center of cultural activities. As a result, the wealthy patrons surrounded

  themselves with art.
• Renaissance artists were challenged by the patrons to show humanism in their art.
• To emphasize form, they showed lines that were clearly defined. They also explored

  the use of linear perspective to show depth. Inspired by new discoveries in science

  and exploration, the artists employed the rules of perspective and foreshortening

  with mathematical exactness. This is evident in Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last

  Supper.
• • Form encompasses the elements of art and the principles of organization that guide the artists in art-making.
  • The elements of art include the qualities that we experience through our senses line,

  shape, form, texture, color, space, and movement.

  • The principles of organization show how sensory properties are organized to achieve a sense of unity and harmony, variety, rhythm, proportion, balance, and perspective.
  • Style is the manner in which the artist expresses himself or herself, which is influenced by the characteristics of an art historical period.
• Boticelli's The Birth of Venus shows Venus born from the foam of

  the sea and carried to shore on a seashell.
• Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, (see page 84) is painted on the wall of the refectory of the Church of Santa Maria delle Gracie in Milan, Italy. Using fresco, da Vinci depicted a psychological study of Jesus' words, "One of you will betray me." To this statement, we see the apostles individually reacting. Perspective is used to suggest that

  the Last Supper took place in a wide and spacious room.
• They utilized lines to produce a smooth-flowing motion. They introduced the effective use of linear perspective and foreshortening to create illusion of space.
• Renaissance was a time of great changes, integration, new discoveries, inventions, and human experiences all of which contributed to the spirit of humanism.
• The three great painters of the Renaissance period are Leonardo da Vinci,

  Michelangelo Buonarroti; and Raphael Sanzio.
• Leonardo da Vinci


  Painter who is also recognized for his development of accurate theories in physics, chemistry, biology, architecture, engineering, and had great knowledge of anatomy
• Leonardo da Vinci lived


  1452-1519
• Leonardo da Vinci


  • Sketches of a flying machine
  • Notes on thousands of ideas, questions, and theories kept in secret journals
  • As a child-artist, he sculpted heads of smiling women using clay
• Mona Lisa


  Painting by Leonardo da Vinci (1507) of the portrait of La Gioconda, the wife of an Italian merchant, Francisco del Gioconda
• The Mona Lisa is one of the paintings in which a woman is allowed to look directly into the eyes of the viewer
• Mona Lisa


  • Her hint of smile
  • Calm gaze
  • Stillness emphasized by her beautiful hands
  • Enigmatic expression
• The Mona Lisa is painted in oil on wood, and is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris
• The Mona Lisa has mesmerized art lovers for centuries
• The Mona Lisa gained universal fame
• Michelangelo Buonarroti


  Painter, sculptor, and architect (1475-1564)
• Pope Julius II commissioned the sculptor to do the paintings for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
• The task


  • Great challenge to the sculptor
  • Worked with a material that had a color of its own
  • Free-standing and three-dimensional
  • Had to mix colors and work on a two-dimensional surface to create an illusion of the roundness of the human figure and other objects
  • Had to learn how to use fresco and paint on it, not on a wall, which was usually the case, but on the ceiling
  • Required him to climb the scaffolding and stretch his neck to paint
  • Went on for almost four years until he developed thyroid enlargement known as goiter
  • Had to study the story of creation and other Bible stories to depict them accurately
• In his Creation, he showed Adam resting upon the earth while his outstretched hand receives the hand of God
• The anatomy of both figures reflects the genius of the sculptor
• St. Peter’s Basilica is the best example of Renaissance architecture. Located within the Vatican City, the construction of the Basilica started in 1506 and was completed in 1626. made by architects Donato Bramante, Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Giacomo della Porta, and Carlo Maderno.
• Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi, called Donatello, created the sculpture, David, a life-sized youthful figure in bronze. Goliath’s head rests beneath the left foot of the triumphant David.
• Marbles are used for sculpture in Renaissance Sculpture
• Remember that:

  • The theme of Renaissance art is individuality and humanism of man.
  • Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rafael Sanzio are the three great artists of the Renaissance Period.
  • the Renaissance Period. Most of the architecture during the Renaissance were devoted to religious worship. Pieces of sculpture adorned architecture