Light Effect in History of Art - Assignment Example

Part I Term/ Phrase Sandro Botticelli was an outstanding Italian painter of mid renaissance period. He worked for Medici, the patron of art and culture. His paintings are renowned for sinuous lines and ethereal landscape. The birth of Venus, the beautiful painting of Goddess of Love is one of his most famous paintings (history of art). Petrarch was the Italian poet who believed that the society needs to be developed into more humane manner. His belief that the thousand years preceding his time, belonged to the dark ages where barbarism prevailed and social values had no relevance. He set forth to improve the society through development of art and culture which were considered to be the essential modules of classical learning. Thus he started the renaissance of European society (history of art). Gates of Paradise is magnificent work of Lorenzo Ghiberti, an early renaissance artist. He had successfully used scientific study of the perspective and space while creating ten narrative bronze panels for the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence. The perfect amalgamation of scientific knowledge and artistry in the doors give him an edge that other artists found difficult to copy (Paolucci, 1996). Linear perspective is the unique style used by Ghiberti in the Gates of Paradise to give a great sense of space through one point linear perspective. The technique gives the surreal touch and gives a sense of reality where the viewer can almost enter the artwork (ibid). Masaccio – Tommaso Masaccio can be called the father of renaissance paintings. His paintings are endowed with myriad human emotions and sense of movements that bring to life the paintings. His painting, Expulsion from Eden, showcase his talents and the narrative frescos about the life of Saint Peter (Santa Carmine) are consummate examples of his talent (history of art). Montaigne was a great French philosopher and writer of renaissance period who was disillusioned with the poverty of ideals in the society and through his work like Cannibals, tried to reflect the deteriorating values and provoke people to reform. Leonardo da Vinci was the versatile painter, scientist, sculptor and architect of Florence. He was one of the most talented artists of the renaissance period. His painting Monalisa is one of the greatest artwork of the era. His mural The last Supper in Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan has been much restored (history of art). More sfumato is special technique of painting where colors are blurred into one another to avoid hard contours and give a smoky effect that has no borders or defined lines. Leonardo da Vinci had pioneered the technique to give subtle treatment to light effect (history of art). Madrigal is a type of secular music composition of renaissance period. The music gives expression to the sentiments of the texts of the line and normally consists of three t six lines. It exhibits polyphonic style in its tenor and promotes resurgence of interest in vernacular Italian poetry (history of art). Mannerism is the style of painting and sculptures that was develop by Michelangelo, another great renaissance artists of Florence. The fresco painting on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel in Rome in 1508, the ‘creation of Adam’ on the ceiling is one of his most favorite pieces of art. The vibrantly colored depiction of angles gives muscular certainty and flexibility in the contortions of the figures that was later developed into his unique style called mannerism (history of art). Jan van Eyck was an established artist in the court of John III of Netherland in the 16th century. His paintings of choir groups and Mass using polyphony technique are exemplary example of his work. Initially he worked as illuminator which he later adopted into his artwork that are reflected in his paintings (history of art). Palestrina was the most important composer of church music in Italy in 16th century. His music is best known for its simplicity, purity and sensuousness that enamors the listeners (history of art). Polyphony was the new style of music first practiced by Roman Catholic Church in the 9th century where traditional chants incorporated more lines and music within its melody to make it richer and more complex. The number of melodic lines were increased from one to three and sometimes even four to give more depth and thereby introducing dramatic changes which would be carried for centuries (history of art). More Machiavelli is term used when excessive self interest becomes pivotal in human relationship. Named after Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), who wrote ‘The Prince’ during the renaissance period when the whole of Europe was undergoing a period of turmoil with wars fought for military supremacy and for expansion of sovereignty by the rulers. The book proscribes to a political philosophy that later became known as ‘Machiavelli’s advice’ because of its wide ranging political ideology of political gain and survival at the cost of all that is good. Louise Labé was a French poetess born in Lyons, France. She wrote twenty four sonnets. All her work is based on passionate love and anguish and tenderness. Some of her sonnets answer the unspoken charges of adultery by the Lyon society. Humanism is actually the art work where human factor is reflected in its varying forms. Petrarch’s humanistic ideals that sought improvement of human society through revival of classical learning, laid the foundation of humanism in art world. The various artists of renaissance period have depicted human form in various styles and imagery to reflect the creativity of the artists visualization of society (history of art). Quotations a. The quotation is taken from the Cannibals written by Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, the French philosopher and writer of renaissance period. The author is aghast at the more vicious side of human character which revels in the despotic acts that an ambitious and avaricious ruler adapts to remain in power. The author remarks at the lack of values and character within the society. b. The lines are taken from the 13 sonnet of Louise Labé, the French poetess of Lyons in the 15th century. The poetess is celebrating her love for her amour and says that her desire and passion for him can overcome any anguish and melancholy. She says that she would even welcome death if she is in the arms of her lover. c. The lines are taken from Hamlets soliloquy written by Shakespeare, the famous English playwright. The protagonist, Hamlet is highly disturbed when the ghosts reveal the nefarious intentions of his murderous uncle. He starts contemplating suicide and wonders what would happen in the next world. Nothing is clear (there’s the rub) and the words reflect his confused state of mind. d. These are part of Shakeseare’ Sonnet 130. Shakespeare affirms in his work that external beauty has nothing to do with love. It is the inner beauty of the person who hold the lover together for the lifetime. Hence, the protagonist loves his mistress despite her not being beautiful. Part II Renaissance period (1450-1650) had sprung from Italy and can be broadly defined as rebirth of antiquity or learning. It has been characterized by resurgence of art and culture that was hugely patronized by the political powers of that time. Some of the greatest painters, artists, scholars and scientists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticeli, Raphael, Copernicus Galileo etc had graced this era with their landmark work in the specified area. Europe’s political scenario also underwent tremendous transformation during the period with revolutionary ideas that prompted the power to separate from the Roman Catholic Church which was the single uniting factor of the time. The individual fame and development of trade and commerce became the main force that changed the political thinking and consequently the political history of Europe. The revival of art and culture brought forth the two major forms of antiquity: humanism and evangelism. The classical learning emphasized these two forms in the revival of art and culture which is reflected in the works of the various renaissance artists. Hence renaissance came to be known as an age of enlightenment because of the rebirth of cultural and literary supremacy of the Europe. The period saw dramatic changes in the political, social and cultural environment of Europe that was based on scientific and cultural interpretation rather than religious orthodoxy. (1369) Reference Paolucci A. 1996. The Origins of Renaissance Art: The Baptistery Doors, Florence. New York: George Braziller. 171 p. Renaissance. Available from: < http://www.historyworld.net/> [Accessed 8 March, 2010]. Read More