Proto Renaissance1. Pulpit of Piazonon: Annunciation Nativity by Giovanni Pisani and Nicola Pisano- the
switch between gothic and classic. Even though this art work was done by a father son
group, we can see two popularized styles acceptable as art for wealthy churches and
patrons of the day in the scene; annunciation of Christ. Giovani worked in a more
Gothic style. Some easily seen examples are the holy figures on jambs and the thick
overloaded drapery. His characters are more densely packed and in dramatic, more
tenuous poses. Nicola leaned towards the Classic style. There is a visible town
background and some hints of perspective as Mary in the front is the largest followed by
smaller shepherds and angels. The poses of people are more naturalistic than dramatic,
such as Mary holding herself up with her elbow. At the time gothic was usually of
higher esteem, but the final verdict was who ever held the money.
2. Cimabue- Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets- Greek manner is the mix
between Byzantine, gothic, and classical styles. Historically we know this because of the
Arab invasion of Constanopile which brought a forced migration of Byzantine artist to
Italy or further Eastern Europe. Other Arab and Greek art influences were brought in
from the crusades. Both of these events most effected Italy rather than other European
countries because of its geographical location between the major powers in Europe and
Jerusalem the main focus for more points and Eastern Europe and Byzantine culture.
And finally Classical influence of revival of Roman ideas and art. Simply the subject
matter shows Byzatine influence, the iconagraphyof Mary. Behind her is the flat golden
background. She has a nimbus around her head, and the overall mood is formal and
divinely unhuman. Another convention seen is the prophets siting from below at Mary.
Illusionism is hinted with golden creases in Mary’s dress.
3. Madonna Enthroned – Giotto di Bondoe- This art piece shows the revival of humanism
and the importance of the viewer. Mary sits in a domed throne, which is cleverly drawn
in perspective using light and shadow. Giotto stages everyone to look at Mary creating a
more dramatically staged mood. Finally Giotto creates a space for the viewer by the
steps of her alter as if one could really walk up and sit before this holy figure. This new
type of illusionism helped the viewer become inspired in prayer and the art was meant
for the viewer not he divine.
4. Orvieto Cathedral- Lorenzo Maitani- In historical context the proto-Renaiisance lived in
the Gothic era, meaning gothic architecture was the new ideal style, but Romanesque
styles were also popular. In his church we see examples of both, a byzantine façade with
Gothic pointed towers, rose windows and pointed triyglyphs. The narratives themselves
on the church show Italian interest in illusionism though. This giant mixture of art styles
was common in this era as normally under church power there was only one style
considered art for hundreds of years before.
5. Peace full City and Country- Ambrgio Lorrenzetti- This is the rare but popularizing style
patron-ed by the government. The reason why this is a new concept is because the Pope
and Roman Catholic Church had power over almost all of Europe. In Italy religion starts
to become segregated from state. This is because Italy is filled with many city-states and
therefore it was harder to control the whole of Italy in its growing economy. As many
secular leaders such as the Medici family line come into power; wedding art,
portraiture, and propaganda art for state all popularize. This particular art work depicts
a peaceful city which is suggested to be produced by a peaceful and ideal government.
Early Renaissance1. Orsanmichele- Donatello- was an art piece to show off Donatello’s guild and there
specific expertise, clothing. It brings back many Greek ideals as it is an almost complete
freestanding sculpture, unlike the traditional but popular Gothic niche characters
formally stuck to walls. The idea of creating a piece just to advertise your guild begins in
the Renaissance. The linen guild is very well accentuated even though he wears thick
drapery. This is because of observant Donatello who has the drapery effectively fall onto
the body because of gravity phenomenon; instead of lavish clothing it wraps around and
displays the body. Although in this time we still see many aspects of the international
Gothic style, including the elaborate orgival arch that Mathew the apostle is in. He also
instead of showing a true Greek Contra Posta has a Gothic sway. Donatello tries to
portray wisdom through the items he is holding, the book. Not traditional of Mathew
instead of a beefy shepherd he also shows age and intelligence through his age.
2. Dome of the Florence Cathedral- Filippo Brunelleshi-This architecture shows the positive
mental attitude of the people of Italy, and Florence. In fact the pope left the hole in the
cathedral in Florence for twenty years. As Brunelleschi approach this tremendous
project inviting new tools, techniques, and rebirthing in Roman style. It follows rational
patterns and Gothic styles like the orgival arches. It is and 8 faced dome with twentyfour internal support ribs. Brunelleschi was actually inspired by a lot of Roman
architecture. One example was the way they laid out bricks in a spiraling format of two
vertical one horizontal. Not only was this stylistically new to Gothic churches, but it also
shifted weight to support the marble arches. To the Italians though, the true innovative
element was the total mood of the church. Instead of cramped elaborate churches with
an unhuman quality, the Greco-Roman influence on churches felt simple and open to a
human.
3. Battle of ten nudes- Pollaiullo- This is an art piece that emphasizes artist being thinkers.
Trying to master a believable de-lineation of character. His mistake was instead of
observing internal structure of bones he depicts the surface. The artist tries to stretch
his expertise capturing the nudes in the utmost, strenuous positions. He further tries to
test and master illusionism when he reflects the 5 nudes in the opposite side, showing
his ability to capture a full human body. (If you look closely each character has an
opposite reflection he is in combat with.) Through this experimentation it can be seen
Pollaiullo also thought of himself as a thinker, not the patron-ed artist.
4. Battle of San Romaro- Paulo Uccello. In this organized mess of war we see the victory of
Niculo da Tolentinovos and Florence, defeating Mulan. It is a very contemporary piece
and the figures are of the Gothic style. We all see the experimentation of perspective in
the, at first, believable hill like environment. Through all the chaos of war we see neatly
placed figure in perspective such as he fallen man to the left of Nicculo. This art was
originally put in the private home of the Medici and has the famous Medici symbol,
oranges.
5. Christ delivering the keys of the kingdom to St. Peter- Perugino- This is the harmonious
scene for the Catholics. This is done by the rational way it was painted. It shows a
mastery of perspective as the main scene is placed on an almost separate stage that is in
front of a larger world. The perspective is easily mapped out with the tiled ground going
to the center vanish point. The architecture behind is very simple and rational. The
Greco-Roman paintings are very much replicas of famous buildings including thee
Florence baptistery and Constanopile’s triumphal arch.
6. Birth of Venus- Botticelli- This art piece is completely secular. Pieces, of the such were
usually given as wedding gifts and were therefore on erotic themes. Usually very
symbolic like the Birth of Venus popular themes were inspired from ancient Greek tales.
Art is more focused for pure anesthetic pleasure for the patron. Art palates use lively
colors like for the ocean, the characters also are all in acts of movement. This erotic
pleasure feels all the more frantic as a cloth swooshes in to clothe the naked Venus. And
yet Venus is not naked, but nude. She gazes towards the viewer and brushes her skin to
further create a mood of erotic understanding of the woman’s gaze. (Neo-Platonism)
This understanding of woman’s sole purpose to please men, was common in Italy.
Besides creating family alliances woman were simply tools of bearing children.
High Renaiisance1. Madonna of the rocks- Leonardo- Has made the rules of the Renaissance. There is a
believable perspective as the rocks fade and turn to a bluish tone. The anatomy of the
figures is idealized and correct, and the sfumato is unnoticeable. He creates the
Classical bar for art- where you cannot see a brush stroke, a single line. In pyramidal
composition he characters all have different emotion portrayed because of the
popularized individualism. Through deep observationn Leonardo has made art into a
science.
2. Moses- Michelangelo- Capture the Hellenistic style of Greek days. Moses, who was
thought to have horns at the time as there was no vernacular Bible and many
mistranslations from Greek to Latin. He captures the idealized body in tenuous motion
even though he is sitting. It feels as though there is pent up emotion and oppression as
Moses stares off stage to somewhere we cannot see, because it does not exist. His
drapery, skin and beard are all made of marble and yet all feel as though they are he
textures of a frozen in stone man. He result is a master piece were we can feel
Hellenistic emotion from a sitting piece of stone.
3. Philosophy/ School of Athens- Raphael- The subject matter at hand is a gathering of
many greatest thinkers. In theology, poetry, law (the philosophies). Famous
mathematicians and scientist are gathered on the right side. This painting very well
reflects unlimited human potential in the subject matter, by showing an elite famous
group of thinkers mostly from Greek times. We also see Raphael himself on the right
side, this subtle detail on the side shows how the position of the artist is moving as he
compares himself to these famous thinkers. It also show that Raphael thought he was
very reasonable because he put him self on the math and sciences area of the picture.
There are many styles incorporated to express reason and human potential. One such way the
artist showed the area here was a rational environment was by putting the gathering in a
monumental Roman tholos shaped building. Behind the thinkers are Athena and Apollo
representing fine arts and wisdom. Raphael expresses his reasoning, scientific approach of art
with perfect perspective easily seen in the dissipating squares on the floor. He shows interest in
perspective seen in the faded blue sky compared to the resolution and clarity of closer
characters. He has consistent modeling see in the barrel vaults as the shadow always lies on the
right side. And also a consistent arithmetic perspective with symmetrical composition.
4. Saint Peter- Michelangelo- As a sculptor first, Michelangelo creates an organic felling for
a church. The base plans look like to overlapping cruciform bases to hold up a
magnificent, Roman Dome. There are many balanced turns and arithmetically
proportioned sides. This tholos temple shows the harmonious patterned architecture of
the Renaissance. It is of Roman monumentality and further expressed the Roman
Catholic’s almighty rule over Europe. AS a side note to find funding for Church projects
the church would force offering taxes, sell indulgences, and except bribes from rich
family lines for position in church or purity from banking and interest.
5. Madonna with long neck- Parmigianino- This painting was done I the Mannerist style.
The coloring is unbalanced with shinning blues to the bloody reds of the curtains. A
column in the background towers into the sky to support nothing. Mary is giant and her
neck is huge as she cradles the equally elongated Christ. Nude viewers burst from the
left and yet some body parts don’t seem to match. Through distortions of Renaissance
rules, Mannerist artist created a new genre art for aristocracy to break rules in erotic
and scandalous art.
6. Last Supper- Tintoretto- Another mannerist, Tintoretto uses Venetian colors with
tweaked Renaissance rules to create a new last supper. The viewer is at an angle as if he
has just walked into a pub, with no focus. There is a dramatic and warm chiaroscuro.
The figures of the last supper are undistinguishable unlike Leonardo’s Last Supper. The
movement creates a complex environment that is visually unbalanced. Light comes
from Jesus’s nimbus and he light overhead swelling with angels/spirits. The effect is the
Last Supper put into contemporary life in which there is no individualism, rules, or
divineness to the Last Supper event.
North Early Renaiisance
1. Saint Anthony tormented by devils- Martin Schoguer- This piece was meant to be
produced on the large scale printing press. Using a cross- hatching pattern Martin
created one of the first art pieces considered graphic art. As northern Europe is still
under heavy religious control in the Renaissance this piece shows a tormented Saint.
There is also Italian influence seen in his believable drapery and perspective using light
and shadow with various shades (concentrations) of grey. Art like this were made for
book covers, advertisement, and illustrations.
2. Merode Altar piece- Robert Campin- This is a private home alter in Peter Inge’s (the
patrons) Flemish house. The amount of detail seen is much greater than Italian artist
mostly because of the type of oil paint the used, coming from nuts. Inside the house is
Mary receiving the news from the angel Michael. To the left of the main panel are the
patrons themselves, an innovative style in itself. The idea that rich merchants of the
North could afford personal art is new, yet still highly religious, and humble. Light comes
from many angles including from the viewer towards the painting and from Mary’s
dress. Another popular theme was symbolism. Everything in Northern art is purposeful
or represents virtues of some sort. For example the empty kettle and lilies symbolize
Mar’s purity. The most scandalous part of this art piece for a viewer today is how the
artist put this Biblical scene in a contemporary Flemish home. This was incredibly
popular though simply because religion was integrated into all parts of life. The artist
chooses to capture this moment as if it just happens as the book pages flip as Michael
gentle comes in. Artist in Northern Renaissance look for Biblical relevance to normal life.
3. Melyn Diptych- Jean Forquet- This is another example of iconography for prayer and
inspiration. It was patron-ed by Charles the 7th. He as well as his patron saint Saint
Steven watches holy Mary. A popular theme of martyrs is represented with a stone in
which he was stoned with. A feeling of awe in the hyperrealism was felt back in the day
as a mix of the perspective illusionism and hyper detail are put together. Skin textures
are perfected and cloth is intricate and elaborate. Such as the yellow design pattern on
Saint Steven. On the other side of the diptych we see an- other worldly Mary and Jesus.
Although it is also very contemporary and rather scandalous as Mary seemed to be
inspired by King Charles the 7th’s wife.
4. Giovanni Arnolfini and Bride- Jan van Eych- This art also shows how art is separate from
the private and public world. The artist tries to show both humility and wealth. In this
marriage (or death) scene the couple is placed inside a wealthy house. There is also
various pieces of symbolism, to suggest sacredness and fertility. This can be seen in the
shoes taken off in the front-ground suggesting a sacred area. Fertility can also be seen
by the fruits and dog. In the background is a mirror with a reflection of Eych and other
viewers a popular fantisiztion of the day.(Reflections) Finally we can see the higher
status of artist both because Eych leaves his signature above the mirror saying “Eych
was here.” as well as including himself in the mirrors reflection.
5. Ghent Altarpiece- Jan van Eyck- This piece was a large alter piece in Saint Bavo
cathedral. On the front are the patron and there saints in marble, a decision probably
from Italian influence. Almost all of the architectural detail is actually pained onto the
altar piece. Above them is he Annunciation scene, in the window is a large Northern city,
and above them in tiny niches are contemporary prophets. Contemporary symbolisms
such as the empty kettle to show the empty vessel (Mary) are of course placed. On the
inside of the alter are popular powerful holy figures and God himself, modeled as a
pope, sitting throned together. Below is a holy assembly of popes and prophets around
the fountain of life. This great grouping of holy figures showed the massive society and
power of religion in Northern Europe. All of the details such as God’s jewels are precise
and hyper realistic. In fact the widow were the altar was first placed reflects how Eych
decided how to model the light and shadow in the scene. The reflection off the jewels
reflects the outside environment of the church. This sync between normal life and
religion shows why not historically dramatic events happened in the North, aside from
the centralization of England, Spain, and France.
North Late Renaissance
1. Isenheim Altarpiece-Mathias Grunewald- This alar was aimed to inspire the sick people
in the hospital next o Saint Anthony church. The mood is morbid and relatable to the
sick people. Unlike the Italian Renaissance the Northern artist make you feel. Christ’s
hands are outstresched and nailed down. Hid body is limp and his skin is deathly. (Just
like the patients of the hospital) The overall color is dark and the overall message is
Christ went thorugh your suffering ttoo. Christ is made relatable to the people. Other
2.
3.
4.
5.
formalities include Mary and peer in Christ’s death, patrons, and symbolic items such as
the Chalice and communion.
Four Apostles- Albercht Durel- This art work very subtly shows characteristics of
counter-reformation propaganda. In this point of history Erasmus and Thomas More and
spreading a belief to change (not segregate) the church. When the reformation is in high
tide few art works are commissioned for religious purpose with Protestant ideas. This
art work was made for the town hall of Numberg. He uses a dramatic Chiaoscuro, a
precursor to Caravagio, but it is used for a much different reason. In his art there are the
four evangelist (Mathew, Mark, Luke, And John) and below his work “Beware of
preaching of False Prohphets” is inscribed. Each apostle has a different personality but
most noticeable is John and Peter. Peter, the first pope of the Roman Catholic church
and the source of their divine power stands behind John almost completely shrouded by
the dark background. His bald head bends down to look at John’s bible. John is in front
of Peter showing him a verse from the Bible. The overall message he viewer receives is
that Peter is behind John and true power is received from the Bible no the pope. Durel’s
hyper realism is also amazing, like a photograph, he captures four men in conversation.
Netherlandish Proverbs- Pieter Brugel the Elder- Brugel’s art is most influenced by
Gothic painting, ignoring anesthetics and naturalism for deep messages. He captures a
chaotic scene in a modern rural northern area. There is faint awareness of perspective,
and balanced composition of color and focus. Instead this piece is filled heavily with
symbolism. As a viewer of the day looked at this piece they would have recognized that
these foolish actions were actually proverbs put into literal context. One example is the
man towards the bottom left biting on a pillar which represent hypocrisy. A modern
proverb more popular is the blind leading the blind. He tries to capture human nature in
deep symbolism. He elevates the stature of the viewer when he expects them to
understand the deeper meaning in the art outside of the literal chaos.
Gardens of Early delight- Hieronymus Bosch- Bosch made this piece for Henry the 3rd of
Spain, a deeply Catholic country. His art shows a surrealism aspect that is both intricate
and organic. Buildings are made of humans, and strange atrocity’s walk in hand with
human. The triptych is a representation of humanity going from the elegance of Adam
and Eve to a modern partying people to a hellish outcome. Strangely enough he chooses
to put his portrait in the hellish scene. This constant reminder to stay humble as times of
prosperity continues. His art is abstract similar in a way to mannerist artist. Abstract
with no composition, figures overlap with imagination to convey the warning of sin.
(Bosch was deeply Catholic.
Hunters in the Snow- Pieter Brugel the Elder- This piece broadens what subjects are
worth making into art. In his gothic style hunters walk up a hill and look down into a
valley. The area is empty and the landscape is beautiful. The subject is that of a lowly
town, and lowly people on a winter’s day. Perspective is seen as the landscape dulls and
colors also blur. Every item like trees naturally, and purposefully line up with lines of
perspective. This painting was not sponsored and probably had deep meaning to Brugel
or perhaps I was a work he used to experiment new styles. Never before had there been
an interest of lower class men in art. It was the noble man’s burden to become the
balanced leaders they could be.
Italian Baroque
1. Calling of Saint Mathew- Caravaggio- Art is propaganda, and Caravaggio has broken the rules of
the Renaissance to connect to the believer. As urbanization starts artist gather at these main
cities, and right now the place to be is Rome. Rome is going through the counter-reformation
and trying to keep their followers. To do this they make holy places and Churches binged on
lavish art. Caravaggio comes from a poor life in the cut-throat market of artist and refuses to
Idealize. So how does he capture the calling of Saint Mathew on San Luigi? He creates it in a
contemporary lower class pub. The men are not idealized, not even Jesus. In fact he covers Jesus
in a shadow, and the result is intrigue in the hidden figure. Whom points out to Mathew, who
points at himself in disbelief. The other people around the table don’t react to the event or the
arrival of Jesus. The result was a scene all to familiar to a lower middle class man for dinner, and
guilt. Guilt that they are the person who is not paying attention for miracles, and that miracles
can happen in the here and now. It reaffirms faith not by asking people to have faith but to see
the event in the here and now and believe; because seeing is believing. He further makes the
scene dramatic with his chiaroscuro hat shine on focused spot like a stage light and leaves the
rest of the stage in a mysterious blanket of darkness. The Roman Catholic Church also went
through many purifications, of corrupt people in power. Groups like the Jesuits were made to
preach and provide ministry; the Council of Trent was formed to interprate every letter of the
Bible. Between propaganda and purification Italy remained devoutly Catholic.
2. Quattro Fontae- Francesco Borromini- As the church deals out the big bucks for making
churches and art Borromini certainly creates a master piece of Baroque styled church. Although
all of the Renaissance ideals are in this architecture the church also feels dynamic and dramatic.
First of all, the church is very rational and arithmetic. Instead of a perfect proportion of squares
though, this church is oval based. It keeps balanced symmetry and composition and yet there
are so many convex and concave surfaces. The inside is so rounded it is hard to see every part of
the church at once and the undulated flow creates pulsates creating a dramatic mood. Also
although he has many Roman and Greek architectural elements there are two facades.
3. David- Bernini- Similarly the Classical o Hellenistic change in Greece, Baroque to becomes more
emotional and theatrical. Like Diskobolos of Greek time David innovatively is I negative space.
Also, unlike calm confident David’s of the past, like Michelanglos, this sculpture is in tenuous
movement. The piece of marble feels like if could suddenly burst in dynamic motion. David (a
portrait of Bernini) looks away from the viewer to the narrative reality he lives in. Bernini makes
the marble skin feel tight and the clothes are swooshing. The result is and art piece that draws
interest, and a sculpture you have to completely around and interpret to understand.
Flemish (A Catholic Region during the Counter Reformation)
4. Marie de’ Medici- Peter Paul Rubens- In this piece, a series of Marie’s life we see her returning
from Italy. Everything is idealized in a Rubenesque way; he bodies are voluptuous, fleshy, flashy,
and religious. Everything is dramatically depicted, this is the case for the surrounding nature in
dramatic movement it has an overall joyful mood. The people and boats are lavish and
expensive. The figures below are posed in intersecting cross patterns creating a rushing
movement. In the warm contrasting, hyper realism Rubens has created a beautiful piece that
makes you feel good.
Dutch Baroque
5. Archers of Saint Sernin- Frans Hals- The strict protestants of the day do not create religious art.
Instead the expanding corporation city has secular arts that show both humility and wealth. In
this art piece were everyone pitches in to pay, Frans also gives everyone a distinct physiology.
The effect, a picture of an event, not a painting. Like in a picture, there are different degrees of
interest in the camera that captures all the men in uniform with liveliness and a casual mood. He
also draws you very subtly to who is most important by his place in the front ground, and
isolation from the other soldiers. The final product is an effective portrayal of a professional
group, but with a touch of liveliness and humanism.
Neoclassicism
1. Louis David- Oath of the Horatii- This art piece, like many others, used an old Greek or Republic
Roman story. The viewer could then relate the allegory to modern day events. This particular
story was a story of the Roman Republic where they are fighting with another city. Instead of all
out warfare each city elects three soldiers to go into combat as tribute and he three Horatii sons
are pledging their allegiance. To many people this invoked sacrifice and patriotism during the
French Revolution. Even though the scene is dramatic it is also rigidly angular. The poses are
statuesque with force and clarity. So while the rigid brothers represent ideals of loyalty and
courage, the distraught wives of the opposing brothers show love and sorrow.
2. Louis David- Coronation of Napoleon- After the revolution, Napoleon employed because of the
ruling clarity of Classic art. This piece is a historical narrative of Napoleon’s coronation, were he
is crowning his wife. The statement was clear as the Pope only sits in approval but is not
crowning the Napoleon himself. Napoleon is over the church and perhaps God. The theatrical
setting is in Roman architecture and is on a grand scale. Again he re-emphasizes he separation
of church and state as the imperial court sits to the left and the clergy to the right. So although
Napoleon is head of both, state and religion do not intersect.
3. Saying Grace- Chardin- Another subject matter of Classicism was a didactic piece of art with less
grandeur. There is a more hushed lighting and a feeling of quiet attention. There is a sense of
naturalism, a pre-cursor to realism, because of the dignified naturalism felt in the art. The
middle class mother and child sit and say grace and the emotional simplicity is oddly familiar.
Romanticism
1. Fuseli- The Nightmare- Fuseli tries to capture deep emotion and dream like unconsciousness in
this art piece. Drawing from Gothic art, a holy movement turned to horror in the mind of
Romantics. We see Incubus lying on a Mannerist like painted woman, symbolizing a Gothic myth
of rape. The woman as well as being elongated is also laying in a very sensuous manner. The
scene feels irrational and a large eyed horse necks pokes through the curtain, a phallic symbol.
The overall mood of the art piece is dreary and there is recognition of unconsciousness, and not
being able to control exotic dreams.
2. Delacroix- Death of Sardanpalus- Another famous subject of reference was the Middle East.
When the Assyrian is destroying all of his items, in defeat including his horses, furniture, and
concubines. The scene is crowded and colored like Ruben’s (Baroque era) rich hues. The
concubines lay in torturous and yet also sensuous poses. Sardanapalus lays over the destruction
with the pose of an evil genius. As testing hallugenic drugs, the preferred drug was opium,
fantasizing these twisted scenes is an art form becoming more and more popular. The fleshy
characters remind one of Ruben’s fleshy art forms, and Caravaggio’s drastic chiaroscuro
blackens the back ground.
3. Delacroix- Liberty leading the People- This art piece was a heroic perspective of a modern event.
As Liberty leads the Parisians. Mixing the story with truth the recognizable Notre Dame lies
below in the smoky city, a real landmark. The characters are heroically marching though dead
enemies and allies in a patriotic surge of power. She is accompanied by bold men and wears the
Phrygian cap, which symbolizes a free trade, and therefore symbolizes the urgency of there
march.
4. Turner- The Slave ShipThis art piece explores the power and beauty of nature. The untamable see is filled with
gruesome and a particularly massive fish. A storm hangs over from the left causing more
turbulent waves and the sun is presented like a comet. Looking closer, one can see slaves in the
water. This picture acclaims to the Zhong ship were in a pure barbaric manner the owner threw
the slaves to drown, to receive an insurance settlement. His strokes are frenzied, just like the
ship owners were to throw the slaves overboard. In all this cruelty Turner creates a convincing
and turning abolitionist art piece. He paints in an unfinished manner were rough brushstrokes
lead to chaos, the result being the confronting and irrational nature of the painting. The
macabre blood and bodies of slaves is frenetic and moving.
Goya
1. Goya- Third of May
Goya, deeply conflicted by Napoleon’s harsh capture and rule over his homeland, depicts a
scene of resistance being unmercifully crushed by the soul-less French army. Very much life
Rembrandt the art is unfinished, which further creates the mood that the event is savage and
barbaric. Innovatively he uses light to show evil and not good, as the artificial lamp points
towards a civilian. His face invokes sympathy, and his hands are stretched wide. Further
inspection shows that there are holes in his hand, as if to represent Jesus’ holy sacrifice in the
Christian religion. Unlike the sympathy invoking faces of the murdered civilians, the French gun
wall stands uniform and faceless. The result is a deeply moving piece, with many innovative
elements, to bring humanity to the Spanish and make the French look like a giant absolutionist
empire.
Rococo
2. Fragonard- The Swing- The playful baroque like painting is luxurious and the elite art of the
French, pre-revolution. This art was born through the death of Louis XIV and the migration of
aristocracy to town-houses of Paris. The painting is playful and unfinished. It uses beautiful and
sensuous colors of blue and pink. The art focuses on aristocracy life and is highly idealized and
more than a little scandalous. The elegant and youthful madam kicks her shoe towards the
Cupid statue. Symbolizing love the specific pose happens to show a rather open pose in her
flowing dress to an admirer/lover lying in the bushes. They are in an overgrown park swinging.
Realism
1. Millet- The Gleaners- In the realist movement the convention is that art is photograph like
finished. Although many pieces like this are of lowly subjects such as these women they also have
idealized like naturalism. This art piece shows three women picking up what is left of harvest.
Behind them are several wagons full of harvest which these woman just helped pick, and are now
given the permission to glean the rest. Millet decides to make this scene beautiful and particularly
golden. Although the message is “Why do these women have to pick up the crumbs after they have
worked for your bread?” the women are presented in a strong, dignified manner.
2. Courbet- Stone Breakers- Courbet is one of the founders of the realism movement. He captures
naturalism like photography like the patches in clothing. Similar to Millet this is a scene of low-life of
French society. They are literally crushing stones as an occupation. Courbet goes on to further goes
on to stress the horrible nature of society as he puts the two young man and very old man together.
The message symbolized in this is you are born into this class and you die in this class. There is no
future for these uneducated people, with no chance they are sentenced to carrying stones for the
rest of their life.
3. Manet- Olympia- Manet is a bridge between realism and Impressionism. Not as much because
he develops impressionism techniques, ha he later adopts, but because he breaks away from typical
Realist art. To begin with, his subject matter is a prostitute and named Olympia (a common
prostitute name). The room has no curtain which suggests an open environment. Unlike the
centuries of the formalized reclining nude this nude stares straight towards the viewer with
indifference. She wears nothing except a necklace and flower in her hair. She reclines on a bed, and
at her feet is a black cat. The cat’s hairs are on edge and it’s back is arched as it snarls. Instead of the
traditional dog symbolizing loyalty the scandalous cat further suggests a prostitute deceitful, and
indifferent attitude of the client. To continue in making the painting unsettling a black slave offers
he prostitute a bunch of flower from a flower; back in that day people would make the connection
between African’s and primitive love. Finally the art piece is unfinished and the back ground consists
of harsh strokes.
Photography
4. Daguerre- Still life in the StudioWith the invention of the Camera almost all artist called it a disgrace and never to be a fine art.
Although first invented for science research, it also is further used to record historical event,
portraiture, landscapes, and finally as a proved art form. This photo is meant to replace the Vanidas,
of Northern Europe. In it, photographers develop style from painting. He carefully chooses lighting,
texture, and content. In the painting he includes sculpture, bascket, flowers, and many other items.
Although artist have been using forms of projection to help in illusionism, this new technology
pushed towards other pure expressions of art that photography could not capture.
Impressionism
5. Monet- Impressionism: Sunrise
Monet’s critics laugh and call this art only and impression. Instead of refuting them he agrees, head
high, saying his art represents only impressions. Of the major philosophies he looks at real life to
create abbreviation in naturalism and color. His brushstrokes are quick and short. The art form very
effectively presents mood, and light.
6. RenoirLe Moulin la Galette- On the whole, most impressionist mixed realism and impressionism like
Renoir. (As well as Degas) Another conventional element in Impressionism is the content of Parisian
lustrous life. In this art piece Renoir captures a lively concert hall. Naturalism can be felt in poses as
if just turning towards a camera. His style includes naturalism but also has light and playful short
Impressionism strokes. He shows his adept skill with light as it dances across the scene. The trees
make the shadows complex and moving. The people show idealism and naturalism of the uppermiddle class.
Post-Impressionism
7. GoghStarry Night- Post-Impressionism uses most aspects of their hereditary style, with new context for
making art. Gogh is considered the proto-German Expressionist as he wants to communicate deep
spiritual emotion. His lines swirl and his color choice is meaningful. He makes the piece from reality
and yet it is only the world that Gogh sees.
8. Toulouse-Lautrec- At the Moulin Rouge- Lautrec is very similar to his origins, but is classified
differently because of his satirical attitude. Also known as Fin-de-Siècle or turn of the century, his
was a movement suggesting that the new industrialized world meant a loss of culture. His characters
are fake and mask-like. Although the characters are still in Parisian life, this is the low night life.
Naturalism is lost in the caricature and flat backgrounds. His color choice in dissonance and artificial.
9. Cezanne- Mont Sainte-Victoire
Considered the proto-Cubist Cezanne tries to create depth through the color and direction of
planes. The simplified idea is that cold colors retract and warm approach. Rethinking the main
principles of art he creates a sense of perspective is made from flat planes. He therefore brings out
both the two dimensional and third dimensional components into his art.
Fauvism
1. Derain- The Dance
This art piece was first named fauvism because of its bestial form. It draws its roots from Goguin
a post-impressionist. It has little illusionism and instead tries to relate back to pure colors
instead of natural ones. Testing he full capability of art they chose bold colors instead of
illusionist colors. Through juxtaposing the bright colors artist try to create emotional depth.
Derain’s the dance features a group frolicking around a jungle. The figures are curving strokes
more than representation like Gogh’s swirling strokes. By juxtaposing bold colors the Fauves, led
by Matisse, sought to make color’s structural, expressive, and aesthetic capabilities.
Cubism and Futurism
2. Duchamp- Nude Descending a Staircase
In this piece Braque plays with multiple geometric perspectives. Also unique to cubism was the
making of collage to a fine art. Many new forms were created to destroy the old world into
Utopian ideals. In this scene the woman is walking down the stairs and is captured in a blurred
geometric matter. In this piece were space seems interrupted and modern dynamism in life is
established. This piece also heavily analyzes the structure of form. It fragments the form using
primarily geometric shape to create the image. Pieces are layered to further create multiple
dimensions, and the result is using art to call attention to Avant-Garde.
Surrealism
3. Magritte- The treachery of Images
The two forms of Surrealism are realistic and improvised. They looked for new ways to challenge
the viewer with elements of fantasy and unconsciousness. They were composed of scenes that
were familiar, made strange. This movement challenges the viewer’s reliance on rationality. This
is what Magritte does when he makes a hyper realistic pipe and the words “This is not a pipe”
beneath the painting. So the circle of illusionism begins. First the illusionist created a pipe
painting for it to look like a pipe. Then the audience, for centuries knowing a picture may
represent a pipe, says “of course this is a pipe”. And now the audience it put into a witty
engagement coming to the new conclusion, “of course this is only a picture of a pipe”. As if the
audience somehow forgot this only to re-conclude what they started with.
Dada
4. Marcel Duchamp- Fountain
Dada poured the cynical and pessimistic attitudes based on upheavals into the art world.
According to popular belief Duchamp was walking from an art gallery when he passes by a bar.
The bar is being re-done and Duchamp comes up with his next art piece. So he talks to a man an
trades one of his art pieces for a urinal they were going to throw out. This establishes the idea of
chance and meaningless, while normal convention of society was working towards a Utopian
society base off of John Locke's Tabula Rasa (blank sheet). This emphasizes Duchamp's view on
the world, which he integrates into art. On the Urinal he inscribes Mutt 1917, referencing to a
plumber company. Placing it in an art gallery Duchamp reaches extreme amounts of AvantGarde when he asks the question, if an art piece has a title, an artist, and a place in a gallery isn't
it art? He has done merely no modifications to the urinal and most of all, the urinal certainly did
have a function a past definition and convention of fine art.(Architecture, painting, and
sculpture)
Precisionist
5. Demuth- My Egypt
One of the first American unique independent movements, its context was mostly of the
modern world of machines and city life. Americans sought to make art independent of Europe
after exposure to European art in the Armory show in 1920, while adding an American’s
sensibility life style filter. A lot of this, especially modernist architecture was incredibly
developed by synthetic Cubism. One such artist is Demuth, who compared America’s mighty
machinery to the magnificence of the Egyptian pyramids. Appropriated from Cubism, is the
discontinuation of space and the fragmenting of reality. He manages to create a solid grain
elevator with floating fragments in front of it.
Regionalism
6. Hopper- Night Hawks
Regionalism is another movement from American. This movement was caused from major wars
and economic upheaval. Artist tried to bring art back into human experience and the rural
cultural back bone of America. One event that greatly spurred the making of art was the WPA
government sponsor ship of art. There was also great influx of artist location as many Europeans
went to American as displaced persons; and the Harlem Renaissance when many AfricanAmericans moved from the South to North primarily for economic reasons and seeking
employment. Although many people moved there art to rural subjects, like early landscape
Romantic painters looking for America’s culture, Hopper moves to the city. Although with the
same motive he tries to show isolation of the unknown urban city. He creates reassuring images
of the American spirit and there hard working values. From farm to city values of strength,
dignity, and fortitude are motifs. In Hopper’s broad generalization he depicts a generalized
scene of the great depression. In his city is vast amount of empty space and muted color.
Although he moves towards abstraction the figures show naturalism and indifference of the
viewer or each other. Hopper sets the viewer outside the safe house in, what feels like, the
quiet, cold city. So although the Americans are in the Great Depression, hey art still bona fide
Americans.
German Expressionism- Neue Sachlichkeit
7. Otto Dix- Der Krieg ( the war)
This art period was heavily influenced by the world war. Through the war artist tried to create
new objectivity, that are rather brutal. Most bias on Utopian victory or sadistic cynicism is
muted. Many artists also previously served as soldiers including Dix, who was a machine gunner.
He joined the war to find the depth of human nature base on philosophies like Fredrich
Lietzsche. Believing that war had brought out the bestiality of humans Otto Dix creates an
apocalypic scene. On the left soldiers march forward and on the bottom panel are lined dead
bodies. Dix includes a self-portrait of himself rescuing another man on the right panel. He is
eerily ghostly and the environment is reminiscent of Romanticism’s great storms of havoc.
Architecture
8. Lloyd Wright- Falling Water
A proto-contemporary artist, tried to create naturalism with his buildings surrounding. He
developed the modern day bungalow. He creates unexpected integration with the outdoors to
create better lighting and ventilation. In his falling water the building is asymmetrical and spans
out onto three terraces. He uses multiple materials including concrete, painted metal, and
natural stone to further increase the naturalism. His emphasize on space over mass creates a
dynamic feeling. In this he captures the surrounding environmental expansiveness.
9. Gropius- Bauhaus
Architecture moved towards De Stijl and Constructivism sculptural forms in art. This was done
by creating a universal language out of basic forms. In making complexity out of simplicity
architecture usually did not have fanciful decoration. Instead art is very reasonable and
geometric. Gropius also encouraged positive attitudes towards the industrial age and material.
He also wanted to integrate the arts further creating a universal art language with sculpture,
furniture, and painting. This formalism of simplicity can be seen in his Bauhaus. In this “Total
Architecture” Gropius sets a standard of Utopians principles with the integration of all art with
industry.
Postwar Expressionism
1. Bacon- Painting
This piece was created by a British man one year after World War 2. It shows the continuing
power of the artist to challenge society, specifically the misuse of power. His art piece is rather
pessimistic and meant to show a “Goya” like amount off despair. The context is a scene full of
the war’s butchery. It is both compelling and revolting. The focus is a large man who’s face can
only be seen to the top of a carnivorous, red stained lip because of an umbrella that shrouds his
face. The suit and umbrella suggests he is an officer, perhaps Neville Chamberlain. Around him is
carnage, and behind him is a flayed carcass which is faintly positioned like a cross, all to try to
show the world’s violent reality.
Gestural Abstract Expressionism
2. Lavender Mist- Pollock
After World War 2 the focal point of western art shifted from Paris to New York. This also led to
the major exposure to European art forms because of displaced artist. Clement Greenberg lead
this movement with major influence from 1940-70. A certain formalism emphasized visual
elements instead of objective/subjective interpretation. This art form was also called action art
made out of drips, splatters, ad dribbles. Pollock would place his canvas to the ground and work
around the painting with movement from all directions. He emphasizes creativity by flinging the
art spontaneously. His may have been linked to Jung’s collective conscious and drawing on art as
a language anyone could relate to. All in all this art relies on the expressiveness of action
painting’s energy.
Chromatic Painting
3. No.14- Rithiko
The colors on the canvas are hazy and floating. In this art he tries to capture a supernaturalism
by creating simple expressionism of complex thought. Similar to Pollock and gestural painting,
Rithiko relies on the formalism of archaic art to draw on raw and basic emotion. Juxtaposing
these colors to create such complex idea draws back to a universal language. He tries to create a
religious experience by juxtaposing raw emotion into art.
Photo-Realism
4. Supermarket Shopper- Hanson
With shocking naturalism this sculpture is indeed photo-like. Using a casting technique to make
life size figures, and then he would add accessories. He wished to reach a tough realism
reachable to the lower class, similar to pop art. His style rejected purism of art so that it would
more easily communicate with the urban, alienated audience. In this scene a large, tired woman
holds onto to a shopping cart that bulges with consumer goods. He tries to communicate a
familiar isolation in a world full of facial digital connection and globalization. Although she
seems uncreative and generic she is all to familiar. The woman is obese, her skin is riddled with
ski blemishes, and although she is wearing many beauty products she looks incredibly aged. Her
gaze is distant and she reeks of decadence.
Feminist Art
5. Untitled- Kruger
The Feminist Art movement challenged society’s acceptance of women rights. Kruger represents
a group of woman who all used different mediums to create dynamic pieces of art that are
disconcerting to the public, and challenging towards authorities. Ironically enough many of the
art pieces done by this group were very erotic. His particular piece meshes Pop Art styles to
create an advertisement like cover for the Mademoiselle journal. In it is a skewed photo of an
idealized statue bust of a woman looking forward in indifference. The rest of the scene is
blanketed in a dramatic chia oscuro. On the left side a series of staccato, inverted words explain
the scene and cannot be seen in a casual glance. The words are “Your gaze hits the side of my
face.” Addressing years of women roles in art the statement is blatantly clear. No longer do we
live in an era were woman stay at home to bear attention to her man’s whim. No longer is she
subjective to him. No longer is she demanded to accept the dominant gaze of the male viewer.
Her Avant-Garde approach in using mass media to expose the deceitfulness of media is
dynamically persuasive.
Environmentalism
6. Smithson- Spiral Jetty
As pieces of architecture become indifferent, art like Smithson’s draw from the surrounding
nature and culture to make art more meaningful. This earth art was sponsored by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, in refute to global warming, pollution, less natural resources,
and less urban public aesthetics. Not only is it meant to be sit-specific it is open for the public.
Spanning 1,500 feet, it was originally created using industrial machinery on a naturally risen part
of Utah’s Great Salt Lake. It was meant to mock the power of humans over nature, as it was also
the site of a failed mining attempt for oil. Also ironically the remote access of most earth art
limits its view from the public. The ultimate integration of site into art was the decided swirl
shape, also the shape of the crystalline sodium on the lake.
Architecture
7. Notre-Dame de Haut- Le Corbusier
The objective of many architects during this time was to create innovative, sculpture like
architecture; with curves, insets, and other styles never before done. This building was built to
replace a pilgrimage site destroyed by World War 2. In his new interpretation of how to express
sacred beliefs the building is supposed to resemble praying hands, dove wings, and a ship’s
prow. Concaves on one sides of the wall are inverse of convex windows on the next. The deep
inset windows create bright stained glass windows. The roof is held up with many small blocks,
like a clerestory such as Hagia Sophia, and gives the illusion the building is floating.
8. Mies van der Rhode and Johnson- Seagram Building
Using only pure and minimalist shapes Rhode finely creates a sleek and rigid design. Perfectly
planed and aligned black metals create a skeleton to the repetitive placement of bronze
windows. This emphasizes the ideal less is more. The building is sculpturesque, and is heavily
influenced by Bauhaus. The long thin shafts create an elegant, professional composition.