a.a 2

• Ancient Rome


  500 B.C. to 1453 A.D.
• Roman art


  • Developed largely because of the Roman empire, during the time of Romulus to Emperor Constantine
  • The Greeks were a great influence in Roman sculpture
• Roman arts


  • The Aqueduct of Segovia, Spain
  • Iconic dome of the Florence Cathedral
  • Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome
  • The Colloseum in Rome, Italy
• Medieval Art


  c. 450 C.E to 1400 C.E.
• Medieval art


  • All work of art are commissioned by religious authorities for churches/monasteries
  • Prominent use of valuable materials such as gold, for objects in churches, jewelry, mosaic backgrounds
• Early medieval architecture


  • Predominantly related to building sacred buildings, such as churches, which was the primary structure signifying Christian faith
  • Castles and walls are the most notable examples of non-religious medieval architecture
• Romanesque Architectural style


  • Flourished across the western part of Europe with France as the center of production and innovation
  • Characterized by semi-circular arches, thick stone walls, sturdy pillars, barrel vaults,large towers, decorative arcading, and durable construction
• Pre-Romanesque or Carolingian


  • The north European style of the Renaissance in the late 8th and 9th century during the reign of Charlemagne
• Ottonian architecture


  • The later period of Romanesque, developed under the reign of Emperor Otto the Great (936-975)
• Sculpture


  • Prevalent during this time, where stone was used to present biblical subject matter and church doctrines
  • Other significant media are stained glass and the tradition of continued illuminated manuscripts
• Gothic Art


  • Originated in the 12th century with the rebuilding of the Abbey Church in Saint Denis, France
  • Offered revolutionary structural advancements such as ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and decorative pinnacles all contributing to taller and lighter building design
  • Light, graceful and mostly spacious in nature. Heavy piers were replaced by slender ones while window dimensions became larger as vaults and spires increased in height
  • Borrowed motifs from the architecture of the period since it was primarily used to decorate exteriors of cathedrals and other religious buildings
• Characteristics of Medieval Art


  • Rich colors
  • Heavily outlined
  • Flat and stiff figures showing no depth
  • Religious icons
  • Architecture is influenced by Greek and Roman- Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic styles emerged from this period
  • Mosaics replaced carved decorations
  • Large domes central to the church
• Romanesque structures


  • Featured pointed arches and heavy thick walls,small windows like the Roman style. A lot of sculptural decorations
• Gothic structures

  • Featured pointed arches and have slender feel as if they soar upward, large stained glass windows filtered in light and color
• Byzantine structures


  • Featured large domes that cover soaring spaces, arches and lavish decorations
• Types of Medieval Art


  • Illuminated Manuscripts
  • Metalwork
  • Paintings
  • Embroidery
  • Ceramic Art
  • Mosaics
  • Sculpture
  • Stained Glass
  • Heraldry
• Famous Medieval Artists


  • Donatello
  • Feast of Herod
  • Leon Battista Alberti
  • Santa Maria Novelle
• Renaissance (Rebirth)


  14th to 17th century
• Renaissance


  • The period in European history, from the 14th to 17th century, was considered the link the middle ages and the modern history
  • The revival in classical learning characterized by a sharp increase in secular values and increased interest in learning the classics
  • Reflected in humanism, which focused on developing the full potential of man including virtues such as judgement, prudence and eloquence
  • The most important development was the scientific method, promoted by influential figures like Copernicus and Galileo
• Early Renaissance


  • By 1500, the art of painting was radically changed due to the rediscovery of the classical world
  • The Renaissance revived ancient forms and content, and the spiritual content of painting changed with subjects from Roman history and mythology borrowed
  • Active artistic regions were Flanders and Italy
  • Almost all early Renaissance art were produced between 1420 and 1550
• Early Renaissance art


  • Dome of Florence Cathedral by Filippo Brunelleschi
  • Expulsion from the Garden of Eden by Masaccio
  • Jacob and Esau relief, Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti
  • The Adoration of the Kings by Hugo van der Goes
  • The Birth of Venus by Sandro boticelli
  • The Nativity in the Lower Church by Giotto di Bondone
• High Renaissance (c. 1490- 1530)


  • Classical ideals of humanism were fully implemented in both painting and sculpture
  • The preceding Early Renaissance had been centered on Florence and paid for by the Medici family while the High Renaissance was centered on Rome and paid for by the Pontiff
  • High Renaissance artists wanted beauty and harmony more than realism, they looked for ultimate truths in the study of the classical world of Greek and Roman culture
• Best well-known masterpieces of High Renaissance

  • Genesis, Sistine Chapel Frescoes by Michelangelo
  • Last Supper
  • Mona lisa
  • Transfiguration
  • Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci
• Late Renaissance or Mannerism


  • Mannerism exaggerates qualities, often resulting in compositions that are asymmetrical or unnaturally elegant
  • Favored compositional tension and instability rather than the balance and clarity of earlier Renaissance painting
  • Mostly, the mannerist painting was more artificial than natural
  • The end of the Renaissance was caused largely by the beginning of the protestant Reformation that set off violent conflicts throughout Europe and eliminated much of the funding for art
• Mannerist Painters


  • MICHELANGELO, Sistine Chapel Frescoes
  • CORREGGIO, First to portray light radiating from the child Christ
  • AGNOLO BRONZINO, An Allegory with Venus and Cupid
• Characteristics of Renaissance Art


  • Emotions was depicted in faces
  • Humans are natural and lifelike-very realistic
  • Nudity
  • Realism and Expression
  • Perspective: Adjustment in size, Depth, Making 3D world on 2D surface
  • Classicism: Influence of ancient Greeks and Romans, Secularism, Symmetry and balance
  • Individualism: Emphasizes on the individual singular subject, Free-standing figures (statues), Human beauty
  • Light and Shadow: Use of light and shadow to create depth, Chiaroscuro- contrast between light and dark colors
  • Complex Arrangements: Complicated arrangement of objects, Lots of complex interactions, Can be very busy