Works of Art from Three Artists during the High Renaissance - Research Paper Example

Art history 102 Comparison of Works of Art from Three Artists during the High Renaissance Introduction During the high Renaissances, numerous works of art have been studied in academic schools, based on their developmental history and stylistic context, which is centered on forms, genre, formats and appearances of the art. In fact, art during the high Renaissances was in different types of architecture, painting, sculptures and other decorative objects (Burke, 1). There are numerous dimensions through, which history of art is approached by various studies such as segregation of the art into multiple coexisting disciplines. However, these fractions of art are not restricted from critique based on academic approaches. Therefore, this paper will identify three artists from high Renaissances, compare and contrast two works from each of them. The term Renaissance was derived from French, whereby it was a word referring to "rebirth" (Burke, 1). This period marked a transition for the classical styles, which had been obtained from the Greek and Roman artist. In high Renaissances, Raphael Raffaello Sanzio, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci were considered geniuses due their astounding talent; in fact, there were other hundreds of artists during this period, since "Renaissance" reigned in entire Europe (Burke, 2). On the other hand, "Renaissance" was a process that existed for a long period; in fact, it occurred over centuries. However, numerous artists during the high Renaissance created their masterpieces under the influence of their religion, and their value was based on techniques and accuracy (Burke, 2). Raphael Raffaello Sanzio Works of Art Artist name: Raphael Raffaello Sanzio Title: The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple Year: 1511 Medium: Handmade Oil Painting Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Raphael Raffaello Sanzio: The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/raphael/4stanze/2eliodor/1expuls.html> The painting depicts a scene in Jewish temple, where Heliodorus, who is a thief, sent by the king to steel treasure from this temple was caught and he is lying on the right side. On the other hand, high priest Onias at the background of this painting is playing for God to prevent escalation of this problem (Kleinbub, 23). The composition of this painting is enhanced through breaking of symmetry and colorful effects depicted through the Stanza della Segnatura (Kren and Marx, 1). Furthermore, the focal point of this scene is shifted at the right side of the painting, where Heliodorus is lying beside the stolen treasures. Pope Julius is dominating the left side of this painting as a bystander, who reappears subsequently in the scene (Kren and Marx, 1). Nevertheless, in this painting there is an illumination of caused by a reflection of glow in the vault at the center, and a section of blue sky appearing via coffered ceiling. Artist name: Raphael Raffaello Sanzio Title: The Vision of Ezekiel Year: 1518 Medium: Oil on panel Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Raphael Raffaello Sanzio: The Vision of Ezekiel” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. Ideas in this painting were derived from the Bible, whereby Raphael took this chance to describe four Cherubim, which was inspired by iconography from Babylon (Kren and Marx, 1). Therefore, this painting offers a portrayal of conventional divinity incorporated with conventional symbols of Evangelists. There is a turbulent sky visible in the painting; some trees are dominating low wide background, while the divine group hovering in the midst of the clouds, while they are encircled by bright illumination. Some of Evangelists symbols in this painting include the angle, eagle, lion, ox and cherubs (Kren and Marx, 1). Ezekiel has been insignificantly depicted through this painting at the background; in fact, he is hardly noticeable due domination of balanced composition of colors (Kren and Marx, 1). Furthermore, this painting offers an obscure illusion of clouds and sharp details of rays that are very impressive, thereby making this art of work to be true masterpiece. Michelangelo Buonarroti Works of Art Artist name: Michelangelo Buonarroti Title: Madonna of the Stairs Year: 1490 Medium: Marble Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Michelangelo Buonarroti: Madonna of the Stairs.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. Madonna of the Stairs was created in 1490 by Michelangelo, while he was a teenager; thus, it one of the oldest works (Chapman and Buonarroti, 11). Obstructions between the objects and the background are delicately disbanded through a dimension and depth. This engraving draws its root from fifth-century, when Greek designs were attributed to classical Roman temperament of Mary’s profile. In addition, it is a reminiscent of Desiderio, which has a waxy surface and a translucent slab resembling an alabaster. On the other hand, this work of art is viewed as a representation of quattrocento techniques applied by Michelangelo. It also depicts its influence by the Greek "stelai" as Madonna face shows aspects of classical profile, while sitting on a square block. The child who is held by Madonna is placed in an odd position and his face is not observable; thus, this is an indication of protection. There are other four people at the background of the picture handling a long cloth, which can be identified as the one used for lowering Christ from the cross. Artist name: Michelangelo Buonarroti Title: St. Petronius Year: 1494 Medium: Marble Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Michelangelo Buonarroti: St. Petronius.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/html_m/m/michelan/1sculptu/1/2petroni.html> This sculpture was curved by Michelangelo in 1494, when he was working on the shrine of St. Dominic; in fact, it is a reflection of Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia (Kren and Marx, 1). He created this statue as a satisfaction for his studies related to Masaccio and Donatello. The statue depicts a patron saint of Bologna, whose hands are holding a simple model of a town (Kren and Marx, 1). This sculpture has deep eye sockets and a creation of locks on the beards; his eyebrows are arched, thereby forming a shadow. The garments of this sculpture are clearly also forming a shadow, while the clarity of standing decorations has an effect that depicts the saint as if he is sliding off. Nevertheless, this sculpture resembled any of the saints in churches, though it appears restless. In addition, this sculpture is a depiction of Michelangelo mind and his decision to do things in his own way. Leonardo da Vinci Works of Art Artist name: Leonardo da Vinci Title: Annunciation Year: 1472 Medium: Oil on wood Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Leonardo da Vinci: Annunciation.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/l/leonardo/01/2annunc.html> The painting depicts the archangel Gabriel, who is kneeling as a noble profile figure, thereby elevating his hand as a sign of greeting to Mary; in fact, his is an indication of divinity of her pregnancy. On the other hand, Mary is responding to the Annunciation, whereby she stops to read and expresses high respect through a gesture on her left hand (Heaton, 167). However, through a keen analysis of the painting, one can notice a conspicuous mistake, whereby Mary’s right arm seems be proportionally long in order to depict an impressive stature, while the other hand is over the prie-dieu (Kren and Marx, 1). However, this mistake is due to perspective caused by her sitting position. Mary was depicted in three-quarter personality, which are in form of spatial coordinated by height, width and depth. Therefore, Leonardo was able to integrate all these dimensions in order to create a sense of depth, thereby emphasizing significance of Mary in this painting. Leonardo offers a magnificent distinction among Mary’s head, body and the dark wall behind her. In this case, the cornerstones seem to be certainly framing Mary’s body through parallel lines that are converging on her. Artist name: Leonardo da Vinci Title: St. Jerome in the Wilderness Year: 1495 Medium: Tempera and oil on walnut panel Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Leonardo da Vinci: St Jerome in the Wilderness.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. In this painting, St. Jerome is depicted as a repentant person, who is kneeling to seek forgiveness, while holding the Bible on his right hand. His eyes are looking upwards past a crucifix, which is wedged into the tree trunk in front of him. St. Jerome is wearing a blue gown, he has a red mantle and a hat that is worn by cardinals. A lion and rock formation that seems dramatic are lying at the background. The painting depicts a spectacular evening sky, red star-like illumination and a golden streak beneath it. In fact, there are arguments raised by different scholars seeking to describe the cause of this phenomenon, whereby some argue that it was an eclipse or meteor. Others argue that it was certainly a comet (Kren and Marx, 1). Conclusion In conclusion, the paper has identified three artists from high Renaissances, compared and contrasted two works from each of them. In this case, Raphael Raffaello Sanzio, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci have been selected being the most famous artists during the high Renaissances. From Raphael Raffaello Sanzio, some of his magnificent works that has been selected include The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple and The Vision of Ezekiel, thereby describing these works in order to form a basis of comparing with other works from both Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci. The paper was explored both Madonna of the Stairs and St. Petronius, which are among the famous art of work created by Michelangelo Buonarroti, and lastly, the paper offered a description of Annunciation and St. Jerome in the Wilderness painting done by Leonardo da Vinci. Works Cited Burke, Jill. Rethinking the High Renaissance: The Culture of the Visual Arts in Early Sixteenth-Century Rome. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate Publishing. 2012. Print Chapman Hugo and Buonarroti Michelangelo. Michelangelo. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006. Print Kleinbub Christian .Vision and the visionary in Raphael. Pennsylvania: Penn State Press. 2011. Print. Heaton Charles. Leonardo Da Vinci and His Works. Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2004. Print Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Raphael Raffaello Sanzio: The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/raphael/4stanze/2eliodor/1expuls.html> Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Raphael Raffaello Sanzio: The Vision of Ezekiel” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Michelangelo Buonarroti: Madonna of the Stairs.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 11 April 2013. Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Michelangelo Buonarroti: St. Petronius.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/html_m/m/michelan/1sculptu/1/2petroni.html> Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Leonardo da Vinci: Annunciation.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. < http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/l/leonardo/01/2annunc.html> Kren Emil and Marx Daniel. “Leonardo da Vinci: St Jerome in the Wilderness.” Web Gallery of Art. 1996. Web. 12 April 2013. Read More