Module 7 16th Century Italian Art

Description: Madonna of the Rocks, late 15c, High Renaissance.Title: Madonna of the RocksArtist: Leonardo da VinciCulture: High RenaissanceDate: begun 1483
Material: Oil on panelArtist: Leonardo da VinciInfo:

• One of da Vinci's first paintings, it is characterized by harmony, order and proportion.
• The figures are secondary to the treatment of nature, emphasized with his use of sfumato, which glowingly blends the figures with their natural surroundings.

Description: Last supper, late 15c, High Renaissance.Title: Last supperArtist: Leonardo da VinciCulture: High RenaissanceDate: 1495-1498
Material: Tempera and oil on plasterArtist: Leonardo da VinciInfo:

• da Vinci was commission to paint this for a refectory of an abbey of friars.
• The use of linear perspective and orthogonals of ceiling and floor all point to Jesus, who is suspended in the intense moment that he states, "one of you will betray me".
• The trinity is alluded to by placing Jesus alone and before a group of three windows.

Description: Michelangelo-David front, early 16c, High Renaissance.Title: DavidArtist: MichelangeloCulture: High RenaissanceDate: 1501-1504
Material: MarbleArtist: MichelangeloInfo:

• A representation of Florence as a powerful and threatening state, David anticipates the action of challenging Goliath which is reflected by his facial expression.
• The first colossal nude since the ancient world, this project was taken over by Michelangelo after another artist abondoned the block of marble.

Description: Embryo in the womb, early 16c, High Renaissance.Title: The Fetus and Lining of the UtreusArtist: Leonardo da VinciCulture: High RenaissanceDate: 1511-1513
Material: pen and ink, red and black chalk on paperArtist: Leonardo da VinciInfo:

• Representative of da Vinci's interest in scientific exploration and what led him to be considered the father of scienfic illustration.
• da Vinci originated the methos of cutaway views.

Description: Madonna of the Meadows, early 16c, High Renaissance.Title: Madonna of the MeadowsArtist: RaphaelCulture: High RenaissanceDate: 1505-1506
Material: Oil on boardArtist: RaphaelInfo:

• Noted for the evident influence of da Vinci, seen in the pyramidal figural composition, twisting poses and subtle chiaroscuro.
• Raphael's work is maturing as seen in the figures, which are bright and defined within their landscape. The ease of the composition and lack of intensity in the figures were the mark of his departure from influence and what would characterize his works.

Description: School of Athens, early 16c, High Renaissance.Title: School of AthensArtist: RaphaelCulture: High RenaissanceDate: 1509-1511
Material: FrescoArtist: RaphaelInfo:

• The center features Plato and Aristotle, with Bramante in the lower right, Raphael placed himself in the corner at the extreme right and Michelangelo resting on the stone block writing a poem. The composition reflects Raphael's influence from da Vinci's Last Supper.
• Typifies the High Renaissance with the open, clear light that is uniform throughout the composition.

Description: The Assumption of the Virgin, early 16c, Mannerism.Title: Assumption of the VirginArtist: CorreggioCulture: MannerismDate: 1522-1530
Material: FrescoArtist: CorreggioInfo:

• The teacher of Parmigianino, he was noted for connecting many stylistic trends and developed the illusionistic ceiling perspectives.
• Correggio showed worshipers a view of the sky, ushered in with centric rings of clouds and hundreds of soaring figures.
• Correggio was later considered a kindred spirit among the Baroque painters.