Do Now (See handout)
Carefully examine what you see. Compare & Contrast the two
paintings – which one is from Medieval Era? From the
Renaissance? How are you able to distinguish the two?
#1
#2
Medieval Art (things to notice)
• Look at the people, they all look the
same. Close to stick figures (i.e Their
proportions are not accurate).
• The idea of space, there is none.
Some of the people and objects look
like the are floating because of the lack
of light and shadow to make it look 3D.
• There is no Perspective. It looks like a
bunch of randomly placed objects that
are all equal in size.
• Religion, most medieval art has some
sort of religious aspect to it.
• The artists normally sign their work to
know who’s work it is. In this painting
we do not find this.
Renaissance Art (things to notice)
-Notice the people and their faces, they look like real people with real faces. They do
not look like stick figures and they all look different.
-You can defiantly see depth perception in these paintings. As people and objects are
closer they appear larger and as the fade to the distance they appear smaller.
-As you can see there is defiantly linear perspective, vanishing or focus point. When
you look at the painting your eyes are drawn to one point in the painting.
-The people in the painting seem to be free to do whatever they choose. There is no
reference to religion in this painting.
Why?
• Medieval art: Mostly religious; very focused on creating
symbols of Christian concepts/values; not concerned with
realism. Statues were shallow and flat. Bodies might be out of
proportion.
• Renaissance art: Very focused on realism--on portraying
things as they look. Used linear perspective in painting. Not as
focused on religion. Often used to show the beauty in nature
(including human beings). Often depicted everyday life. Used
light
and
shadow.
• Attention to detail is focused on more heavily during the
Renaissance.
• Times were very different as well. Medieval art was heavily
focused on religion and work whereas those in the
Renaissance times were more open and free. People wanted
the truth and focused on realism.
• Realism focuses on life and how it is truly, not imaginative at all.
Assignment #1: What was the
Renaissance? (Video)
Assignment #2: Complete the chart/graphic
organizer
1. As per the HW, what was the
Renaissance?
 What comes to mind when you see the
word, Renaissance?
 Examine the causes
 What changes came along as a result of
the Renaissance?
Complete the chart: Examine
the main points surrounding
the Renaissance.
Trade:
Created a wealthy class
who became patrons
of the arts.
Individualism:
Emphasis on the importance
of the individual and achievements.
Humanism:
Glorification of people
& human reason.
Secularism:
Other than religion.
Classicism:
Revival of Greek & Roman
achievements & writings.
Questioning
Spirit
Intellectual &
Artistic Creativity
Renaissance Values:
The revival of trade in Europe helped bring an end
to the Middle Ages & gave rise to the Renaissance
The rise of cities
brought artists
together which led
to new techniques
& styles of art
Increased trade gave rise
Wealthy bankers &
to Italian city-states &
merchants wanted to
a wealthy middle class show off their new status
of bankers & merchants
by commissioning art
The most important Italian city-state was Florence;
In this wealthy trade city, the Renaissance began
Florence was home to
the Medici family, the
wealthiest & most powerful
bankers in Europe
The Medici used their
wealth to commission
art for themselves &
to beautify Florence
Please say that we can be
MATURE for the next couple
of Renaissance artworks.
New styles & techniques of Renaissance art
• Realism & emotion
• Classicism: inspiration from Greece & Rome
Sfumato
• Emphasis on individuals & interaction between
people
The first nude paintings &
Chiaroscuro
•sculptures
Geometric
since the Romans
arrangements
• Perspective
• Using light & shadows
Greek
Renaissance
As these ideas spread, this
“Northern Renaissance”
developed its own
characteristics
The Renaissance spread from Italy as scholars &
merchants from other areas visited Italian city-states
The Renaissance in
France was most
known for its unique
architecture
The Renaissance in
England was most
known for literature,
especially the plays of
William Shakespeare
The Renaissance in the Netherlands
was most known for realism in art
Wedding Portrait by Jan Van Eyck
Medieval &
Renaissance
Comparison
Medieval & Renaissance Compared
Art
Medieval
Renaissance
1. No expressions on
faces
1. Faces are filled with
emotion and expression
2. Stiff and unrealistic
poses
2. Human poses are
lifelike and realistic
Medieval & Renaissance Compared
Art
Medieval
Renaissance
3. European art was the
3. Artists take credit for
property of the Church
their work and become
– often religious themes
famous
4. Tempura paints were
4. Oil paints were used –
used – dried too quickly
lets artists work slowly,
to correct mistakes
create new colors, and
obtain more lifelike
effects
Medieval & Renaissance Compared
Art
Medieval
Renaissance
5. The Church forbids
displaying the naked
human body
5. Like the Greeks and
Romans, artists study
anatomy to portray
humans realistically
6. There is no balance,
proportion, or
perspective – pictures
are “flat” and two
dimensional
6. Artists create proportion
with the illusion of
depth and distance on
the flat surface
Medieval & Renaissance Compared
Thought
Medieval
1. Life on earth is
preparation for the
afterlife
Renaissance
1. Life on earth should
be lived to the fullest
Medieval & Renaissance Compared
Thought
Medieval
Renaissance
2. The Church has all
authority and power
2. Tradition becomes less
important and
individuals become
empowered
3. Individuals should
not seek to stand out
3. Appreciation of unique
individual Renaissance
characteristics
Examples of Medieval Artwork
Medieval Artwork
Renaissance Artwork
Raphael: The Nymph Galatea 1512-1514
Medieval vs.
Renaissance
Art
Now, based on what we just
covered, can you tell the
difference? Pay close
attention
So, what was the Renaissance?
• It is the Beginning of Modern Europe
• Era in Europe characterized by financial,
artistic, social, scientific, and political growth
• Started in the Italian city-states and spreads
North
• Public focus shifted from religion and the
afterlife to the secular (non-religious) world
• Much of the financial growth was used to
support the arts
Where did the renaissance
Start?
• Began in Italy
• Later spread north to
Germany and England
• What was the difference
between the Northern and
Italian Renaissance…?
The Italian
Renaissance
• People were interested in
human achievement
(instead of religious or
spiritual achievement)
• The figures in their artwork
looked like Greek or Roman
gods, i.e. perfect
The Northern Renaissance
• Various INDIVIDUALS were
interested in the early
Christian period.
• The figures in their artwork
were more realistic.
Both Northern & Italian
Renaissance
• Interested in Greek & Roman
culture (“the classics”)
• Use of perspective in
paintings
• Believed in humanism
• Used critical method of study
What’s Humanism?
• Hint: What word is inside the word?
• Idea started in the Renaissance that
people have value, worth.
• MA: Only God can do good
• Ren: Humans can do good
• Liberal arts education (still here
today)
Watch video (approx: 3:01): Renaissance Man
("Blister in the Sun" by the Violent Femmes)
Period #2 – Revival of Trade
1. Carefully review the handout titled,
Essay Question: What were the causes and
impact of the Revival of Trade?
HW: 11/12/13; due: 11/14/13
1. Complete your introduction (thesis statement) & the body
paragraphs surrounding your revival of trade essay.
- You will have the opportunity to work on this assignment
tonight, during tomorrow’s class period, & once again
during tomorrow night’s HW.
2. Due Thursday, list at least 3 impacts/effects surrounding the
revival of trade (positives &/or negatives) & then show how
they transformed people’s lives throughout the era in question.
3. Review the list PPT carefully.