Art Characteristics

through the Ages

Characteristics of Classical Art Mythological Themes/Heroes

ancient Greek & Romans viewed as religious Idealized portrayal of subject:

Larger than life Emphasized fitness and strength Nude Contrapposto = Italian “for set against.”

• Position of body with weight on one leg while the other is at rest- suggests movement.

Uses balance and perspective (technique used to give depth to a painting using lines and angles), symmetry and simplicity.

What is Contrapposto?• Michelangelo’s David is a

great example.

• The right leg is the weight-bearing leg. The left leg is relaxed and suggests movement.

» It is a relaxed natural posture. Compare to ancient Egyptian statues.

Differences between Ancient Egyptian and

Greek Sculpture

Differences between Ancient

Egyptian and Greek Sculpture

Nike of Samothrace

Artist: Unknown

190 BC

Athena

Unknown

Hellenistic Period

Socrates

Unknown

Hellenistic Period

Three Graces

Unknown

100 BC

Characteristics of Medieval Art

Religious Themes

New Testament

Lives of saints

Lack of emotion/stiff flat (almost cartoonish looking)

Stylized portrayal of subject:

Gold background

Faces all look the same

Christus Patiens

Marcovoldo

1260 AD

Christus Patiens

Coppo di Marcovaldo

1261 AD

Joan of Arc

Unknown

Early Middle Ages

Madonna and Child

Duccio di Buoninsegna

Late Middle Ages (1300?)

Enthroned Madonna and Child with Angels and

Prophets (Maesta)

Cimabue

1280 AD

Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Saints (Maesta)

Duccio

1311 AD

Medieval ClassroomArtist: UnknownLate Middle Ages

Characteristics of Renaissance Art

Science of Looking: Perspective : gives depth by using lines and angles. Light and shadow. Knowledge of anatomy and nature (looks realistic)

Classicism- reference to ancient Greece and Rome: Mythological subject. Architecture. Style: larger than life, nude, contrapposto.

Humanism: emphasis on the individual and emotions. Self-portrait/ordinary people. Emphasis on emotions/gestures.

Perspective

Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!

Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!

First use First use of linear of linear

perspective!perspective!

Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!Perspective!

The The TrinityTrinity

MasaccioMasaccio

14271427

What you What you are, I once are, I once was; what I was; what I am, you will am, you will

become.become.

Light & Shadowing/Softening

Edges

ChiaroscuroChiaroscuro

SfumatoSfumato

Emphasis on Individualism Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre:

The Duke & Dutchess of UrbinoThe Duke & Dutchess of Urbino

Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.

David

Donatello1440

* First Free Standing Nude Bronze Statue Since Classical Times

Find spot: David’s hat= FlorentineShephard’s hat. This is a statue forFlorence (patron saint). Civic pride = Humanism.

The Penitent Magdalen

Donatello 1450

`

The Annunciation Fra Angelico

1445

Trinity with Mary, John the Evangelist and Two Donors

Massacio

1428

Tour de force: artistdisplays master of atechnique.

(tiled arch in background)

St. Jerome in His Studyda Messina 1455

Trompe L’oeile: anOptical illusion.

(it looks like you can step into the entrance way into the picture)

Adoration of the Magi Botticelli 1470

The Birth of Venus Botticelli

1486

PrimaveraBotticelli

1482

The Last Supper- Jesus’ last meal with apostles- was another common subject like the christus patiens and Maestas

The Last Supper

Dieric Bouts

(1464-67)

The Last Supper Ghirlandaio(late 1400s)

The Last SupperAndrea del Castagno

1447

Madonna of the Goldfinch

Raphael

1506

Madonna and Child with St. Anne

Leonardo da Vinci

1513