Josh Weckesser
Humanities II
Resonance Picture
what is known as a “Renaissance Man.” He
did a great many this in his time, the
crowning achievement The Courtier, a book
on etiquette, social problems, and
intellectual accomplishments of his time.
One of the most striking things
about the portrait is that it is a portrait. The
focus on an individual is not Raphael’s
creation but it would have been unheard of a
few short years before this painting during
the Middle Ages, as during that time all art
focused upon celestial topics.
The many
thoughts that have passed though him is
obvious in the striking manner in which his
eyes gaze out from the painting. His hands
are folded presenting a meek disposition, yet
This
picture
is
of
Baldassare
they are still present in the picture showing
Castiglione, an Italian writer, diplomat, artist
the viewer that the subject is a capable man.
and political revolutionary.
The complete absence of a background
In his time
Castiglione played a major part in the
draws all focus to the man pictured.
changing politics of his time. For example,
increasing the rights of women.
painted
this
portrait
in
Raphael
1515
when
It is far flung from the ancient
Greek celebrations of man and even from
the
near
contemporary
of
Raphael,
Castiglione was thirty-seven years old.
Michelangelo. Raphael is presenting a man
Castiglione commissioned the artist to paint
in his natural state, his natural grab in his
the picture.
time. This is a man of skill and ability who
The Renaissance was characterized
lacks the god-like qualities of many nude
by a rebirth in the human spirit, a greater
sculpture and painting. It is earthly exalting
attention to earthly (as opposed to heavenly)
of humanity.
topics. There was a growth of individualism
and a push on increased education. Going
hand in hand with this was the focus upon
becoming a well-rounded individual.
Castiglione is an excellent representation of