High Renaissance Research Paper

Bryan Adkins Art History II Dr. Futral 8 February, 2015 Brunelleschi’s Dome of Florence During the early Renaissance period there were many iconic artists some of which specialized in different aspects of art, such as, painters, sculptors, architects, and etc. These iconic artists played a special role in the Renaissance period of Europe. Renaissance meaning the cultural rebirth of Europe.

From the fifteenth century to the seventeenth centuries society experienced a shift from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. During this time Europe underwent many significant changes that were often expressed through the historical art. Passionate and experienced artists used their skills to create masterpieces that would highlighted these changes and led to the success of their careers. During this shift Medieval point of views began to fade away and a new Era full of new perspectives began to form. The Renaissance was known by many as the rebirth of the humanist culture.

During the time of the Renaissance, artists, and painters had begun to

Enriquez’s choice of using oil on copper may have been chosen for multiple reasons. Firstly, oil on copper paintings do not require art conservation efforts because of the chemical properties of copper. This leaves artworks in pristine condition with luminous colors and no cracks. Enriquez’s choice may allude to the fact that he wants his painting to imitate the timelessness and well-kept image of the original arheiropoeita as something made from the divine would never deteriorate. The inscription on the bottom of the painting also suggests Enriquez wants his painting to be revered akin to the original as it states: “Tocada à su Maravilloso Original, el día dos de Julio de 1789” meaning that his painting was sanctified by the original painting in 1789 (The Metropolitan Museum of Art).

The Renaissance was a period in time where everything started to change after the middle ages. During this historical period humans stared evolving by becoming smarter and inventing useful recourses that have changed the world. The renaissance was a life changing period which brought more joy to the world after conquering the dark ages. The Renaissance changed man’s view on the world by using Art, Science and Literature to make humans brighter and because of the rapid information they were gaining. Art during the Renaissance grew rapidly because of Leonardo Da Vici, and Michelangelo who changed the way people painted and drew by creating strategies which made art more interesting.

In other words, he appears to have combined his own reflection on the meaning of the Immaculate Conception. “The Adoration of Magi is an early painting by Leonardo Da Vinci, that was left unfinished.” The virgin Mary and Child are depicted on the ground and form a triangular shape with the Magi kneeling in adoration . This picture is remarkable for its example of concentration and power. “Leonardo Da Vinci’s last supper is a renaissance masterpiece….”

Throughout the ages there have been many different styles of artwork, from paintings to architecture. There are quite a few distinct pieces of art from time periods like the Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo. Some pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures and architecture, during these periods also incorporated scientific knowledge from which the time they were in. There are some great contributions to the art world during the Renaissance period, like Galileo at Pisa. There had been a promotion of the study of anatomy and mathematics that made it's way into artistic perspectives.

Prior to the Renaissance, art was centered around religion and biblical figures, but as patrons began to become more common, the norm for art began to shift. “Madonna Enthroned Between Two Angels,” by Duccio di Buoninsegna, as shown in Document A, depicts Mary holding a baby Jesus. The unproportionate and dull colors of the painting

An ideal example of a Renaissance man, Raphael Sanzio, revolutionized the time period know as the “High Renaissance” through his ability to convey the techniques and achievements of other artists and make them into his own. (Source 2) Raphael Sanzio was

As expressed in Document A, from Theodore Rabb’s Basic Books, The Last Days of the Renaissance & The March to Modernity, “The clearest evidence of the break with medieval culture comes from the visual arts”. The Middle Ages had an emphasis on religious figures and symbolism. The two images contained Document A included: Madonna Enthroned Between two Angels by Duccio di Buonisegna from the late 13th century as well as Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, from the early 16th century; upon further observation the conclusion can be made that not only was the art from the Middle Ages focused mostly on religious subject, but it also had two-dimensional lifeless figures and drab colors, as expressed in the painting. This great contrast is clear because the Renaissance painting is the complete opposite, possessing realistic figures which were true to form and three dimensional, vibrant landscapes, with a focus on the individual. As Rabb put it, “the new artistic styles would echo broader movements and interests of the new age.”

DA VINCI’S WORKS Leonardo da Vinci has got to be the one of the most celebrated painter in the world from the Italian Renaissance. He is

Leonardo is more interested with science and nature than religion that tends to create conventional artwork and expected themes. This mindset is reflected in some of his other works, like his Battle of Anghiari

Also, Thomas who is on Jesus’ left side, is pointing his finger into the air. This is believe to show that within the next couple days Jesus will rise again. It is noticeable that everything is painted to what seems to be a centerpiece of this picture. The center of this picture is Jesus and everything, including the walls was painted off of him using a hammer and a nail. Leonardo even went as far to paint the fish as eel to show the faith in Jesus by his people.

Leonardo believed that, the integration of the musical harmonies would bring symbiosis to the optical space of the painting and to the one viewing the painting. Leonardo clearly understood how single point perspective could control how the viewer perceived his painting. He employed this technique to draw our attention to Christ’s face which is at the center of the composition. Likewise Christ’s gaze is directed to his left hand whereby he is reaching for the ‘bread’.

Leonardo Da vinci was an Italian polymath who’s area’s interest in invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music. He is known for his two famous masterpieces which are “The Last Supper” & “The Mona Lisa. In the movie “The Da vinci Code” it shows both paintings, but one stuck out more “The Last Supper”. In the movie it mentions Mary of Magdalene who was sitting to the right side of Jesus in the position of power in the painting whom was assume to be the new leader of the church after Jesus’s death.