Week Four: Post #3 Comparative Analysis

I conduct comparative analysis between a work of art from the Early Renaissance period and one from the High Renaissance. For this analysis I have chosen The Virgin Of The Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci for my example from the High Renaissance. For the Early Renaissance I have chosen to study the Baptism Of Christ by Piero della Francesca. To start with at first glance these are very different paintings both are beautiful compositions and both have a sense of three dimensionality on a two dimensional surface. But The Virgin of the Rocks displays a more mature working of idealism, naturalism as well as a stronger composition.

The Baptism of Christ seems to me to be heavily weighted to the left with a conglomeration of figures in the foreground on the left side of the panel in addition to a number of trees. As opposed to the right side of the painting where these same pieces of the composition are dropped into the background amongst the hills. As far as dynamic unity is concerned in the Baptism of Christ piece I suppose it could be argued that it does exist. John the Baptist is leaning forward toward Christ and a man in the background is either putting on or taking off his shirt. Yet the book argues that the artist achieves “an air of beatific calm and peaceful stasis a stillness suggesting that nothing will ever change, no one will ever move in this frozen moment”. This to me seems to be a strong case against dynamic unity.

However in The Virgin of the Rocks the composition in my opinion is much more visually pleasing and balanced the image of young John the Baptist on the left opposing Jesus on the right with the rocks and background creating a pleasing type of room for the figures. Naturalism in The Virgin on the Rocks is much more apparent the body shapes and the skin tones in conjunction with the way the clothing is modeled is much better examples on naturalism. In the Baptism of Christ the figures are white almost like ghosts and there is seemingly very little effort to make the figures appear as they would in reality. Chiaroscuro and sfumato are both present in The Virgin of the Rocks while in the time that the Baptism of Christ was created these were not prevalent practices in creating paintings. The way that light is modeled in the Virgin peace shows an enlightened and better understanding of the way lightness and darkness can be addressed with paint. I must point out as well that The Baptism of Christ was painted with Tempera while The Virgin of the Rocks was painted in oil.

My favorite part of both paintings however is the use of foreshortening which is present in both pieces. In the Baptism it is used in the dove that is flying over Jesus head and in front of the tree, while in the Virgin on the Rocks it is the Virgin’s hand that is foreshortened. In the Baptism it seems to be used in more of a symbolic way while in the Virgin it used symbolically but also creates an illusion that is very beautiful to the eye and creates a great depth in the work. The Virgin of the Rocks is a great way of showing the progress of the southern renaissance in comparison to the Baptism of Christ because it shows the progress in thinking in skill that took place over time.

Week Three: Post #3 (Early Italian Renaissance Art)

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli painted in tempera and gold on canvas was painted from 1484-1486 and is the painting I have chose to analyze from the southern renaissance. The painting depicts a nude Venus standing in a scallop shell on the sea shore. She is covering herself with both her hands and hair. There is also on the left side a wind Zephyr and some type of other angelic figure as well. On the right side of the painting is a devotee offering the center figure the Venus a blanket. I find this to be a very dynamic composition that is in no way static in composition of line, color or texture.

In the composition the figures themselves create a sense of energy and dynamic movement.  The Venus herself at center is standing in a contrapposto pose and the line created with her body in the composition is that she is being actually moved by the wind. This is also depicted with her hair being blown off toward the devotee. The figure at right the devotee, appears to be leaning into this implied wind and consequently the blanket she is holding and her clothes are being blown to the right creating a beautiful diagonal line away from the Venus at center. The two figures at left are also angled away from the Venus but at a much more severe angle creating a dynamic visual composition that moves the eye from right to left. There are also plucked flowers that are surrounding the figures on the left side of the painting that offer some depth to the composition as well as help make the figure appear to be floating in mid air.

The color and texture applied to the image also add to the energy and dynamic aspect of the composition. The water in the image is blue and is shaded very dark at the bottom of the image giving a beautiful heavy weight to the bottom of the image. Over the top of the water is a beautiful white texture that implies the movement of the water. The texture is created with a large number of dynamic lines that vary in weight and texture adding to the sense of depth in the image. In conjunction with the texture of the water the figures in the image as well as the shell that the Venus is standing upon at center are all shaded and modeled in a way that gives the composition a better sense of depth and a feel that the figures and fabrics pictured are actually in motion.

The lines created by the feet of all the figures in the image are also strong examples of movement created in the image. The devotee figure at right appears to be twisting and moving toward the Venus at center. Her left foot is contorted in a way that makes her appear to be just on the verge of taking another step. In contrast the figures on the left side of the composition have their feet pointed in the same angle as their bodies as if to imply that they are in fact flying above the water. No weight is being carried by the feet of these figures. All of these things working together give the painting a very dynamic feel and a lot of energy.

 weight is being carried by the feet of these figures.ion have there feet poited in the same angle as there bodies as if to imp

s pictured are actually in motion. way that gives the composition a better sence of depth and a feel that the figures and fab

 

Week Two: Post #2 (Nothern Renaissance Documentary)

My understanding of the documentary Northern Renaissance: The Supreme Art is that art created during this time period was all about seeing. For example seeing things portrayed as they actually appear in reality. As well as the deeper religious connotation in which seeing is some sort of spiritual act of connection, as well as a literal act connecting the person to a spiritual realm that is unseen. My gut reaction upon hearing the narrator talk about the meanings of Jan van Eyck’s The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin led me to believe that he was reading too much into the painting, giving him too much credit. In the end of that segment however my mind was completely blown to fact that he really did portray himself showing a guild member the world he resides in with special inclusion to the vineyards that essentially pay his employer and in the end are the source of his own wealth. Not to mention the even more powerful and interesting aspect to me of the chancellor. Who is symbolically through the power of prayer, and then literally in the painting seeing the Virgin Mary and Jesus as a child. This for me is the most powerful image described in the video; the Northern Renaissance in my limited opinion is all about seeing.

It is clear that in this time period supreme wealth and social status is highly upheld as in any time period. This being an almost universal truth, I found it so interesting to learn that painting became during this time another type of jewel or valuable. This was something new to be treasured and acquired to measure a person’s wealth that was cheaper and more attainable. I love the fact that value was attributed to these works because of the recognized labor that was poured into these works

Thinking about values it is so interesting to me that the religious characters depicted in these works for the most part are depicted as human. In contrast to what has been alluded to in the video and lectures that in the south these same characters will be pictured in an almost surreal way with features that are exaggerated beyond what you see in reality. To me this poses more questions about religion. Obviously these were important figures worth depicting yet they seem to value the idea that they were human in the same way that the model they were painting from was human. In contrast to that, they are placing themselves inside the narrative. Seeing their prayers come to life. Is this an egocentric act? Placing themselves at equal importance to the biblical characters depicted. Or are they earnestly seeking to see these moments that they hold so highly, through what is basically an unprecedented ability to do so? I had no idea the depth of ideas and skill in the works of the Renaissance. To the uninformed eye it is so easy to look right past these works to the work of the Southern Renaissance. I would have never realized the depth and importance of the Northern Renaissance.

Week One: Post #1 (Introduction to Renaissance Art)

The first thing that comes to mind when I consider why Renaissance art is held in such high regard; is the almost unbelievable skill shown in the work we see representing this time period. I see a technical skill and control represented, that I do not as easily recognize in other periods of art. Most outstanding to me is the fact that they were created without modern tools like projectors or artificial light. It starts to really stress me out when I think about the skill level of the artist of the renaissance and how they were able to create these beautiful and amazing works without the use of our modern tools. Then again that is what is going to make this class so interesting. How did they get to this level?

There is an incredible sense of depth created in many of the works from this period. In my opinion a mix of many design elements lead to this sense of depth in these works. From the different perspectives used as well as the way color is manipulated to create foreground and background mood as well the modeling of figures and objects throughout the works.  I think people are definitely responding to technical skill portrayed in the paintings of the renaissance as previously stated.  When you see the work of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael it is so easy to yourself this is art. These are the people on the cover of books. Search art on google and these are the artists you will see. The work is so technically well executed that it is easy for people to use renaissance art as a measuring stick for all other art.  With the thinking; this is as good as it gets. Based on the early time in history that they were created the size and scope of the work, location we can say these are the precedent for beautiful and ascetically pleasing art.

Again I must refer to the depth created in the works from this time period. Looking through the book this is the one thing that stands out to me throughout almost every piece chosen to represent the renaissance. Whether it be through sculpture or two dimensional work the sense of depth created in these works are what really stand out to me.  The eye naturally moves throughout the work comfortably and seamlessly in a way that it does not in previous time periods. This is created from the perspective as well as the color harmony used throughout the time period. The sculpture pieces in the book such as Michael Pacher’s St. Wolfgang alterpeice and Nanni di Banco The Four Crowned Martyrs are great examples for me of the way renaissance artist learned to control the eye and create great depth in sculpture as well.

I personally enjoy the work of the renaissance for all of the reasons I presupposed that our culture does earlier in my blog post. I am very excited to be studying this time period and look forward to finding out if the things I have suggested in this post are valid or not.