Bonaventura Berlinghieri, Altarpiece of St Francis - Essay Example

Review question Review Questions Q1. Late Gothic Bonaventura Berlinghieri, Altarpiece of St Francis, c.1235 Late Gothic style expressed symbolism. In most instances, they reflected religious beliefs of the Old and New Testament. The highlighted Bonaventura of St Francis fits the category because it demonstrates a religious significance of prayers. The main drawing shows a picture of St.Francis is holding a Rosary. Other smaller images surround him reflecting the congregations. In this image, St. Francis is probably interceding for the world. The medieval is a late gothic style because it encompasses an elongated human object above the other components. As characteristics of late medieval, the art is static and flattened. In this regards, it serves the symbolic function of the importance of prayers. In addition, the above picture demonstrates a facial appearance of a dynamic object. The background images and scenes are small and freely placed in a pictorial pattern. Thus, it qualifies to become a late gothic design (Introduction to Late Gothic art, 2013). Early Renaissance Sculptor of Lorenzo Ghiberti (c. 1378-1455) and frescoes of the Trinity in the Church of Santa Maria Novella (c. 1426) portray early renaissance. I categorize the arts in this category because they are products of individual artists who demonstrate an artistic trend of depth. The highlighted paintings reflect human nature with the right dimensions, terminologies, and clothing. In comparison with the Gothic styles, the exquisite pieces provide three-dimensional quality reflections. In addition, they share similarities of an early renaissance by offering pictures of animal and human anatomy to progress the subject knowledge. Both artifacts demonstrate the knowledge of nature and infuse the ideas in the contemporary society. Thus, they offer realistic facial expressions and dimensions familiar with the early Renaissance (Bourdua & Dunlop, 2007). International style Book paintings Book pictures fit the international style because they depict architectural formations. Unlike the Gothic and Renaissance, they reflect the aesthetics instead of the societal trait. In other instances, the book paintings mainly buildings have plane surfaces and lack ornamentation aspects. The above picture is rectilinear and entails modern materials to make it perfect. Q2. GIOTTO, Lamentation The image shows the mourning of Christ by followers. It portrays a somber mood five people surrounding and gently holding the dead body. In this, the artist provided a perfect example of early Renaissance using soft textures and pictorial plane. The painting is bright and offers an innovative aspect of three-dimensional appearance. Thereby, it enhances the quality and intended purpose of the symbolism. DUCCIO, Betrayal of Jesus The artist perfectly infuses naturalism and religious agenda. The picture has a soft background that encompasses nature. The innovative incorporation provides a sense social, environmental and religious connectivity. Realistic clothing including robes and the facial expressions demonstrates fear among the fleeing apostles. GENTILE DA FABRIANO, Adoration of the Magi The painting shows the respect for Magi. It depicts a combination of human beings and animals. The incorporation shows that all living creatures give thanks to Magi. The painter achieved an innovative idea by incorporating gothic and renaissance styles. The three dimensions give the painting depth and reality. ANDREA MANTEGNA, Foreshortened Christ The painting symbolizes the death and mourning of Christ. The muted colors signify the main objectives of somberness. The painter enhanced the quality through static and realistic patterns. The static lines show picture movement thus appealing to the audience. DONATELLO, David The statue symbolizes victory and a conqueror. The gray background matches the bronze material giving an artistic appeal. Also, it shows an innovative sculptural idea. MASACCIO, Holy Trinity The painter intended to portray a paintings ability of illusion of space. The pyramidal pattern is an innovative idea that demonstrates a sense of space. SANDRO BOTTICELLI, Birth of Venus Birth of Venus portrays an artistic concept that demonstrates antiquity and depth. The innovative skill in this piece of art includes allegorical references. Q3. Renaissance is the era of 14th and 17th century. It comprised civilization of European nations, discovery of continents and advancements in art and literature. Three general changes during this period are the development of commerce, inventions like mariners compass, printing, and Ptolemaic astronomy. Michelangelo paintings and sculptors had distinctive biblical scenes that offered physical practicality, intensity, and psychosomatic insight. The Neo-Platonism nature distinguishes the works from other paintings. Leonardo works depict an advanced art style. The panel painting and infusion of different colors to explain a theme makes his work adorable. Furthermore, static style makes the paintings recognizable. Raphael demonstrated a soft art style characterized by the gentle landscape. The paintings are unique because they have a pictorial space and maintain a balance of objects. Q2. Classical humanism RAPHAEL, Madonna in the Meadow Raphael’s piece of art is a classical humanism object. The oil on panel work depicts Virgin Mary, Christ, and John in a pyramidal arrangement. He also applies subtle chiaroscuro to enhance beauty, clarity, and landscape. Thus, it is a classical humanism because it incorporates religion, beauty, and science. Q.3. High Renaissance and Early Renaissance works Early Renaissance followed defined universal rules in regards to linear and numerical ratios. The artists painted in frescoes, provided pigment, and used light decorations to offer space. High Renaissance had little rational arrangement and visual attractions. In addition, the works were presented in both sculpture and paintings and involved shading. Q.1. Catholic Counterreformation is revival driven by the Council of Trent and encompassed political magnitudes, spiritual orders and movements, and ecclesiastical reconfiguration. It started in 1560 to 1648 to counter the Protestant rectification. Q.2. Council of Trent is a group of cardinals with the responsibility of implementing institutional reforms and investigating financial embezzlement in the church and corrupt spiritual leaders (Wright, 2005). The council would not have liked ‘Paolo Veroneses Last Supper (The Feast in the House of Levi) because it signified an end. Instead, they could have liked Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647-52) By Giovanni Bernini. Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria Della Vittoria because it had depth and symbolized continuation of prophecy. Q.3. Characteristics of the Mannerist style ‘PARMIGIANINO, Madonna with the Long Neck’ is a mannerist style because it is intricate and depicts an intellectual painting. The work is less naturalistic, has strained poses and garish colors. In addition, the art has elongated human objects, incorporation of scale and balanced lighting. Q.1. High Renaissance in Italy considered scientific details including anatomy, and proportion of the paintings. They used tempera or oil materials while the Northern emphasized on the final appearance and color of the objects and had a longer grip. They also used panel and oil. Examples include Raphael’s “School of Athens” (list 12) to Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights” (list 14) respectively. Q.2. The painting explained misfortune of Icarus when he decided to fly closer to the sun. He fell into the sea after the heat from the sun melted the wax holding his wings. The presentation is classical and differs from the classical humanism based on the space and picture motion. Q.1. Baroque trends in Catholic Church explained Catholic doctrines and themes. They were designed to appeal to emotions while elaborating Catholic art and beliefs about Jesus, saints and the Old Testament. They countered Protestant reforms by communicating dominance (Wright, 2005). Q.2. JAN VERMEER, ‘Allegory of the Art of Painting’ is a technical output that presents psychological positioning of the objects. The artist incorporates an innovative skill of illuminating the scenes with precise shadings to enhance viewing and motion. References Bourdua, L., & Dunlop, A. (2007). Art and the Augustinian order in early Renaissance Italy. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. Introduction to Late Gothic art. (2013). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from KHANACADEMY: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/late-gothic-italy/beginners-guide-late-gothic/a/introduction-to-late-gothic-art Wright, A. D. (2005). The counter-reformation: Catholic Europe and the non-Christian world. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. Read More