Introduction to Visual Analysis and Renaissance Art - Essay Example

Introduction to Visual Analysis and Renaissance Art The Renaissance art was dominant in the late thirteenth century as well as the early fourteenth century. Among the renowned artists in the Renaissance period were Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo whose masterpieces will be analyzed in this case. The specific pieces selected for analysis by the mentioned artists incorporate Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and Ceiling from the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. These paintings were chosen due to their uniqueness in approach and the representation of the human body. Both Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci have expressed the historical rebirth of humanism in European history in dissimilar ways. The Renaissance involved a traditional organization that insightfully influenced European rational lifestyle in the early modern times. Starting in Italy, and thinning out to the rest of Europe throughout and before the 16th century, its effect was realized in a number of fields such as science, art, music, politics, philosophy, religion, literature, and other facets of intellectual inquisition. Renaissance intellectuals applied the humanist technique in study, and explored for realism as well as human emotion in art through their work. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa painting had a significance influence on the appreciators in different perspectives due to impressions it depicted as well as its physical outlook. The portrait influenced a different view on the paintings and emphasis on the mood. The portrait conveys a smiling woman with a backdrop background. Through the painting, the viewers could determine the mood and appreciate the beauty (Sassoon, 2006). This painting mainly depicts a theme of romance. The background reveals nature and wilderness that shows a sense of loneliness and desire for companion. The colors used on the portrait are very distinct and outlines all the boarders of the clothing and the white body of the woman. The nature of brush strokes on the portrait ensures an exclusive fineness and outstanding dexterity. This ensures that the face is fine and the color appealing to the viewers especially the lover. A woman’s image has also been used to depict desire for feelings and the smile inviting attraction. The shadow and light technique is applied by the artist on the image. There is a shadow between the neck and the long hair of the woman. There is also a shadow on the lower part of her sleeves. Conversely, other parts of the body such as the face and bosom are well lit. This is the reality as it is perceived on objects and people seen. There is a distinct use of color to show real appearance of a fine-skin woman in black clothing (Sassoon, 2006). Proportionality is well maintained with the image of the woman occupying a significant portion in the portrait. Parts of the body such as mouth, nose and eyes depict real sizes and are on their rightful positions. The subject in the portrait is a woman facing the observers directly. The subject has been exposed distinctly through use of different colors in the painting. The subject holds her hands together with the right hand over the left and leaning on one side. The subject has her face fully displayed with the bosom portrayed and the cloth is just above the breasts. The dark hair conceals the head and the back part of the neck. All these are perceived to be enough to reveal the artist’s intent and the message to the viewers (Sassoon, 2006). Michelangelo’s Ceiling from the Sistine Chapel Ceiling from the Sistine Chapel is a complex painting that depicts several attributes of the human feelings and thought on creation of mankind. The paintings are on the walls and ceilings of the chapel at the Vatican. The paintings by Michelangelo show his capability to express human in different dimensions and perspectives (Ames-Lewis & Joannides, 2003). The painting shows human in both nude and clothed instances. The Ceiling from the Sistine Chapel influenced the later paintings significantly through design and meaning. This work enhanced the incorporation of several designs, colors and dimensions in a single work. Since the painting involved explanation of different sections of the bible as well as the judgments, it never lacks social and spiritual conflicts. The 1527 sacking of Rome eventually led to a premature decline of renaissance arts (Ames-Lewis & Joannides, 2003). The theme is complex and the artist intends to depict the contents of the bible and specifically starting from the book of genesis. The hands of God and Adam are outlined closer to one another but in several dimensions. The portrait shows Adam nude and lonely on one part while God is lying clothed with several other children and angels. This attracts several analyses contexts and diverse arguments on different points of view. Primarily, Adam is nude and out of heaven to show that he has been distinguished from others (Ames-Lewis & Joannides, 2003). The techniques used in this work involve the use of light and shadows. There are shadows on the minor spaces between objects and the characters in the painting. There is a shadow behind “God” and the people behind them in the perceived cave. This depicts clues that the viewers’ brain can employ in creating depth. There is the application of fine detail especially where there ands of the two main subject. Finer brush strokes are used to enhance the details and the color difference to outline distinction. Michelangelo has also utilized enhanced proportions and size to depict the main subjects who merit critical intentions on the portrait (Ames-Lewis & Joannides, 2003). The subjects in this portrait are basically three. There is the perceived God, Adam and the characters behind God. Adam is nude and lying outside with stretched left hand. God is also lying having his right hand stretched and pointing a finger at Adam. The other people are covered with a maroon clothe and lying nude behind God (Ames-Lewis & Joannides, 2003). References Ames-Lewis, F., & Joannides, P. (2003). Reactions to the master: Michelangelo's effect on art and artists in the sixteenth century. Burlington, Vt: Ashgate Sassoon, D. (2006). Leonardo and the Mona Lisa story: The history of a painting told in pictures. London [u.a.: Overlook Duckworth [u.a.. Read More