Ginevra de Benci - Research Paper Example

? Research Paper, History and Political Science Art History Art History Paper about Ginevra de Benci This paper looks into detail on the Ginevra de Benci portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci. She was a lady who lived in Florentine as a noble woman. The portrait is made using oil on wood which was materials in use during this time. The analysis of the piece of work as well as its quality is done to the detail so as determine its importance in the art history. Through this analysis which involve through scrutiny of the work, it’s seen that this portrait is one of Leonardo’s masterpiece on the art history and it contributes immensely on the history of art hence its significance. Introduction Renaissance is a word that implies the new birth. This refers to the period from 15th century in Europe up to the 16th century. This era existed after the fall of ancient Roman Empire through the ideologies of the humanitarians. In Europe, the Italians renaissance was the most important period as well as great time in history of art. It was during this time in history that the famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci lived in Italy. Born in 1452 in Italy then known as the republic of Florence, he was skilled painter, sculptor as well as a prominent architect during the renaissance period. Among his famous work included the creative master piece of Mona Lisa, Ginevra de Benci as well as the last supper .my interest will be centered into the work on Ginevra de Benci1. Ginevra de Benci is one of the most beautiful portraits which depict a young woman created in the year 1474. She was a Florentine woman who was married at the tender age of sixteen to Luigi Niccolini in year 1474. The Portrait seems to have been on a wedding photo and on its backside it bore the inscriptions written in the Latin which translates to “beauty Adorns Virtue”. Looking at the photo background, the appearance of trees and skies is evident which leads to a dreamlike atmosphere which is also evident in other of his works. The young woman in the portrait is seen as looking past which gives her image of being sulky and unforgiving. The Ginevra series was made up of fifty two oil paintings which produced this great work piece. Looking at Leonardo piece of work, Ginevra de Benci which is a Florentine portrait, a lot about art is portrayed2 . Analysis of the portrait The portrait can be used to tell a lot about the painter, the sitter as well as the way in which people lived during the time. The oil on wood paintings was one of Leonardo’s first works in his career. At this time, there was no other painter who could match Leonardo’s work of art due to his exceptional skills. Through a keen look on the portrait, the simplistic details can be captured; one of these is the place in which the portrait was created. At this period, women were displayed with their husbands in the portraits but here the lady is seen alone. The portraits of women were mostly done during their betrothal as well as during their wedding .In the portrait the lady seem to face the right side which would imply that it symbolized her engagement this is due to fact that the right side was where the husband was supposed to stand during the wedding portraits but she seems to be staring at it. This would also imply that the work was done in the Italy where Leonardo resided as preparations for the lady’s wedding. Traditions of the time concerning marriage are portrayed by just looking at the portrait and its history. Looking also at another minor detail, the portrait was done on wood and painted with oil. This would imply that the era was developing and the traditional means of painting were being replaced by better methods. The aesthetic perfection can be seen but more to it, there seems to be a lot which can be partially deciphered from the portrait. Through scrutiny, a lot about the lady in the portrait can be deciphered. Her expression on her face seems to tell more about what is in her mind especially her thought about her future. From the fact that she was preparing for marriage, it seems she was not happy with her engagement which later became ill fated. Later after marriage, Ginevra de Benci went into self-exile due to illness as well as broken relationship. The original portrait was cut a few centimeters along the bottom maybe due to damage. This removed the ladies hand which were later was seen from another of his drawings which must have been a preparation to final portrait. The hands held a flower which was used during this period to imply the devotion. Chastity is another of her character also portrayed through the use of the Juniper leaves on her head which have turned from green to brown due to aging of the portrait3 . The portraits appear to have fingerprints in the surface; this shows that the artist used his hand to paint together with the brush so as to create the soft delicate edges. The implication is that the artist was concerned about quality of his work. The appearance of the lady from her complexion indicates that she was smoothened using the painters own hands for the perfection. From her head, its seen ringlets of hair which appear undulating as well as her forehead which display pride 4. The background of the portrait was veiled with mist referred to as (sfumato). This effect resulted from the use of oil glazes being overlaid against each other. The sitter is seen as fully impermeable to the artist, the artist potrays the absolute perfection of the form as seen in the thin veil and delicate flush of throat. From the look of the portrait, it’s possible to see what the portrait concealed about the subject. The portrait shows a depth which was needed to be decoded from it by the observer. Conclusion Through analysis of the portrait, one becomes aware of the role that art played during this period. The history of art is seen as it developed from the renaissance period where it served as important tool of communication and could relay message on what the artist saw on the sitter. Ginevra portrait is a classic example of art which shows the whole importance of perfection which Leonardo exhibited in his work. He had used his hand as well as brush to achieve this magnificent work. The use of oil painting tells more about the art of painting during this period. Oil on wood was the form of painting used in this era and Leonardo had a mastery of it. It’s through Ginevra portraits that one is able to relate the art of the time with its significance. Every detail that is used in the work has its meaning which tells more about the great work of art that existed during this time. From the research, it leaves no doubt that this is one of the greatest work of art ever done which signifies more of the art evolution since the renaissance period. References Brown, David Alan .,National Gallery of Art.Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo's Ginevra de' Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women (Princeton University Press January 6, 2003), 226. Beck, James. ,Italian Renaissance Painting. Koln: Konemann( 1999). Brown, David Alan., Leonardo da Vinci: Origins of a Genius( New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1998). Parchin, Stan. ,Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinc Art Museum Journal, 24(3)2010 45-87. Read More