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An Overview of Art History HU300 Unit 6 All Visual Art is Imitation • Aristotle’s word for imitation is “mimesis”; what the actor sought to do; to reveal the truth of human beings. • Art as Imitation does this in two essential ways: – Art as Likeness: • Rembrandt Van Rijn (top right) – “The Jewish Bride,” 1667 – Art as Alteration: • Wassily Kandinsky (bottom right) – “Composition VIII,” 1923 • Within each essential form there are any number of styles. • Some seek to paint what is there to be painted, while others seek to paint what is in the artist’s mind (and heart). Classical Art: Art as Likeness Temple of Artemis in Ephesus Roman tile portrait Grecian Urn Sarcophagus of woman and dog; Late Roman Classical Art -- quick facts: • Classical art is noted for its strong sense of form, proportion and balance. • Much of the art and architecture served the needs of the state. • Classical art at first sought to idealize the human form; reaching for perfection (as the gods/goddesses were perfect). Much of the art of the Greek period was attributed to Phidias, a painter, sculptor and architect greatly admired in the 5th cy B.C.E. • In the late 4th cy B.C.E., the emphasis shifted towards realism; with less depictions of idealized forms replaced by more life-like human qualities. Note the sculpture on p. 149 in TABH. • Roman Art often depicted less serene, more dynamic forms that appealed to human passions. Euclid’s “Golden Section” • This is a mathematical calculation of balance that states the most pleasing relationship between two connecting parts is such that the smaller is to the larger as the larger is to the sum of the two. • It is expressed mathematically as a ratio of 1:1.68. • The golden section finds its way into architecture and painting in the classical and subsequent art periods. • Leonardo da Vinci was so impressed by this principle that he called it the “Divine Proportion.” The Parthenon, Acropolis, Greece Euclid’s Golden Section in Architecture A B C The Golden Section: the smaller is to the larger as the larger is to the sum of the two -- BC is to AB as AB is to AC. Slide reference from http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~jbritton/goldslide/jbgoldslide.htm Leonardo’s “Annunciation of the Virgin” • • • • Divide this painting into a square on the left and another on the right. (If it is a root-5 rectangle, these lines mark out two golden-section rectangles as the parts remaining after a square has been removed). Also mark in the lines across the picture which are 0·618 of the way up and 0·618 of the way down it. Also mark in the vertical lines which are 0·618 of the way along from both ends. You will see that these lines mark out significant parts of the picture or go through important objects. You can then try marking lines that divide these parts into their golden sections too. Reference from -http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibInArt.html#daVinci Byzantine Art Icon of Madonna and Child Bust of Emperor Constantine Byzantine and Medieval Art • For nearly a 1000 years, the art world came under the influence of the Christian church. (5th cy C.E. to 15th cy C.E.). • Beginning with Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, the church began a strong cultural mandate in Western culture. • The goal of art was to remind people of Jesus Christ, the saints and apostles and the story contained in Holy Scriptures. • Depictions of Christ showed his wisdom and depth (a more adult-like face even when showing him as a child.) • The Pagan world of classical art was frowned upon. Medieval Art Detail of stained glass; St. Peter with Keys Cathedral Carving Poitiers, France From the cathedral at Chartres, France Medieval Art Gargoyle; York Minster Cathedral The Nave of York Minster The Renaissance “Mona Lisa” ( aka, La Gioconda) wood panel Leonardo da Vinci; 1503-1506 “Renaissance” means “rebirth.” This period was known for its flowering in the arts, music and literature. Increasing emphasis was placed on essential human qualities and on freedom and individuality. The three great art figures of this period are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Art and Patronage • Italians were willing to spend a lot of money on art. – Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values. – Italian banking & international trade interests had the money. • Public art in Florence was organized and supported by guilds. Therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status! 1. Realism & Expression Expulsion from the Garden Masaccio 1427 First nudes since classical times. 2. Perspective The Trinity Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Perspective! Masaccio 1427 Perspective! First use of linear perspective! What you are, I once was; what I am, you will become. Perspective 3. Classicism Greco-Roman influence. Secularism. Humanism. Individualism free standing figures. Symmetry/Balance The “Classical Pose” Medici “Venus” (1c) 4. Emphasis on Individualism Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: The Duke & Dutchess of Urbino Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466. Isabella d’Este – da Vinci, 1499 1474-1539 “First Lady of the Italian Renaissance.” Great patroness of the arts. Known during her time as “First Lady of the World!” 5. Geometrical Arrangement of Figures The Dreyfus Madonna with the Pomegranate Leonardo da Vinci 1469 The figure as architecture! 6. Light & Shadowing/Softening Edges Sfumato Chiaroscuro 7. Artists as Personalities/Celebrities Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects Giorgio Vasari 1550 Florence Under the Medici Medici Chapel The Medici Palace Filippo Brunelleschi • Commissioned to build the cathedral dome. – Used unique architectural concepts. • He studied the ancient Pantheon in Rome. • Used ribs for support. Brunelleschi’s Dome Comparing Domes Other Famous Domes Il Duomo (Florence) St. Peter’s (Rome) St. Paul’s (London) US capital (Washington) The Ideal City Piero della Francesca, 1470 Ghiberti – Gates of Paradise Baptistry Door, Florence – 1425 - 1452 The Winner! The Liberation of Sculpture David by Donatello 1430 First free-form bronze since Roman times! David Verrocchio 1473 - 1475 The Baptism of Christ Verrocchio, 1472 - 1475 Leonardo da Vinci Vitruvian Man Leonardo da Vinci 1492 The L’uomo universale The Renaissance “Man” Broad knowledge about many things in different fields. Deep knowledge/skill in one area. Able to link information from different areas/disciplines and create new knowledge. The Greek ideal of the “well-rounded man” was at the heart of Renaissance education. 1. Self-Portrait -- da Vinci, 1512 Artist Sculptor Architect Scientist Engineer Inventor 1452 - 1519 Leonardo, the Artist The Virgin of the Rocks Leonardo da Vinci 1483-1486 Leonardo, the Artist: From hisNotebooks of over 5000 pages (1508-1519) Mona Lisa – da Vinci, 1503-4 ParodyThe Best Form of Flattery? A Macaroni Mona A Picasso Mona An Andy Warhol Mona A “Mona”ca Lewinsky Mona Lisa OR da Vinci??