Renaissance Artists: El Greco and Leonardo da VinciPresentation by Kate Keithley and Jane Bratcher

“The Annunciation” –Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1472)

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Despite being a renowned Renaissance polymath, da Vinci’s most famous talent is generally accepted to be his painting. Scientific aspects of anatomy, botany, geology, and perspective are evident in even his early works, making his artistic works clear evidence of his mental brilliance. His humanists concepts are evident in even his earliest singularly-completed work: “The Annunciation”, separating him from the prevailing trend of development of humanistic ideas for most Renaissance artists. Leonardo used tempura paint frequently so that he may better disguise his brushstrokes in his artwork, giving it a uniquely realistic appearance. He died at the house of his close friend, Count Francesco Melzi.

“St. John the Baptist”—Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1508)

“Dormition of the Virgin” –El Greco (c. 1565)

El Greco (1541-1614)Born in the city of Crete, this artist’s style is

known to develop in stages based upon the regions in which he resided; the first period being that of Crete, the second of Italy, and the third and final segment of Spain. Greco’s more notable attributes are his elongated, graceful yet gaunt fingers and necks, and the use of pale skin tones, effectively giving his subjects a hallowed, ethereal look. He is known to be the father of expressionism and cubism; the combination of Byzantine and Western artistic theory lends a great hand to his art’s unique qualities. El Greco died in 1614 during the completion of a commission.

“The Disrobing of Christ” –El Greco (c.1579)