Class Discussion - Essay Example

Class Discussion

For this particular class discussion, I have chosen to present the revolutionary painting technique of Michelangelo Caravaggio. He was an Italian artist who came to dominate the Renaissance era from 1593 to 1610. Having trained in Milan under Simone Peteranzo, Caravaggio contributed heavily to the Baroque style that resulted in an evolution of the Mannerism style of artistry and is said to have clearly defined the meaning of “chiaroscuro” in paintings. Chiaroscuro, although already in existence prior to the coming of Caravaggio, became more noticeable during his era for revolutionizing the painting style with his style that was definitive, darkening the shadows and transfixing the subject in a blinding shaft of light.

Caravaggio pioneered the method of acute observation of physical and psychological reality in his subjects as the foundation of all the paintings he was commissioned to do. He proved that it was possible to work speedily on a painting. He finished painting the Sistine Chapel, his most notable work still in existence, in a matter of 7 years. He was an expert at working with live models and was frowned upon by his peers because he preferred to paint directly on the canvass rather than drawing sketches on paper and working from those models for the final product. This was a unique skill of Caravaggio that at the time was considered to be detrimental to an artist's masterpiece or commissioned work. However, Caravaggio proved his detractors wrong, creating his masterpieces exactly how he saw them, directly on the canvass.      

Student 1:

Your description of a typical Renaissance painting is highly accurate and was obviously well-researched. I am in agreement with you regarding the influence of Florentine painters over this particular era of the arts. However, you failed to fully or even partially discuss the actual influences in the painting style of Giotto di Bondone. Although his style was later classified as Renaissance, there is no information as to which particular aspects of the art form can directly be attributed to him. My research actually shows that there were other artists from the same era who pioneered the same style so it may be likely that Bondone should not be ascribed to as the Father of Renaissance Art. Overall, you presented a very interesting discussion.

Student 2: