Art History Test 3
When did the Mannerist style emerge?
1520
For what type of institution was the altarpiece created?
A monastic hospital
Compare Michelangelo's David with Polykleitos' Doryphoros and Donatello's David from the stylistic point of view. What similarities do you see? What differences? What distinguishes Michelangelo's David as High Renaissance?
All three statues utilize a contraposto posing (relaxed and natural with weight shifted to one side), a contorted or moving torso, and defined/sculpted anatomical parts. Differences are seen in the materials used to construct the pieces (Michelangelo made of marble while original works from Donatello and Polykleitos utilized bronze and precious metals), specific facial posing (expression on face), and overall artist interpretation of figures. Michelangelo's David incorporates the most detail in hair, body contours, etc. creating the most realistic and realized piece of all three; attention to detail is impeccable with body proportions (head made intentionally larger so piece could be seen at every angle and still be antomically symmetrical).
Polyptych
An artwork such as an altarpiece made up of more than three panels or sections, often hinged.
What is significant about the Man in the Red Turban?
Believed to be a self-portrait of Jan van Eyck, the frame has his personal motto "as I can" inscribed on it, was meant to demostrate how realistically Eyck can paint
What subjects are depicted on each of the following?
Center: crucifixion Exterior wings: annunciation, angelic concert, Madonna and child, and resurrection Interior wings: meeting of saints Anthony and Paul, and the temptation of St. Anthony
Describe the device Palladio used for the façade of San Giorgio Maggiore to integrate the high central name and low aisles
Combination of two classical temple fronts (Christian Basilica and Temple architecture), one superimposed upon the other; four giant columns in front, with sides of pediment parallel to slope of roof. Side aisles of Corinthian pilasters support lower pediment.
In what ways does Massy's Money- Changer and His Wife reflect both the economic and religious life of Antwerp in the early 16th century?
Economic life: The man and woman's clothes have fur lining the edges, along with silky cloth- these elements hint at the wealth of the couple and city. Major trading center/ city for commerce. Economic capital of Europe Religious life: The shiny gold, pearls (a symbol of lust), and jewelry have distracted the wife from her spiritual duty (reading a work of devotion) The snuffed-out candle and the fruit on the shelf- an allusion to original sin and a reminder that we are all doomed to return to dust (symbols of death) The carafe of water and the rosary hanging from the shelf- the purity of the Virgin The small wooden box- a place where faith has retired.
List 5 characteristics of Mannerist painting that can be called "anti-classical" and that distinguish the Mannerist from the High Renaissance style
Elongated Figures, Unusual Lighting Effects, Less emphasis on balance and symmetry, Disregard for rational composition, Figura Serpentinata
What effect did the blending of sacred and secular have upon the way devotional images were painted?
Everyday objects are used in paintings to stand for something religious. It changed the subjects matter painted. It no longer was directly a biblical scene but could function religiously through the use of other subjects
List three values that were stressed during the so-called Age of Sensibility:
Feelings and emotion Imagination freedom
What is the symbolic meaning of the Well of Moses at the Chartresuse de Champmol?
Fountain of life made for the Duke of Burgundy
What is the political message behind Gericault's Raft of Medusa?
Géricault's image reinforces the outrage French citizens felt when they learned that the shipwreck of the French ship Medusa had run aground because its captain, who was a political appointee, was inept.
What are three characteristics of Turner's style?
Hazy forms Emotional color Energetic brush strokes
What are two tendencies that Durer fuses in Knight Death and the Devil?
Idealism naturalism
Compare the Isenheim Altarpiece with the Ghent Altarpiece. Discuss the iconography, handling of light, color, and space, as well as the emotional impact. What kind of landscape setting does each use? How does each treat the figure?
Isenheim Altarpiece- Split into three very different narratives 1 The crucifixion of Christ, very morbid and haunting 2 The resurrection, colorful and full of life 3 St. Anthony's temptations in the desert depicted with psychedelic colors and vibrant imagery Ghent Altarpiece- Depicts Christ in a more favorable light Shows people flocking to see Christ depicted as a lamb Fountain of Life in the middle St John and Virgin Mary on either side of Christ Adam and Eve
What is disegno?
Italian word for "drawing or design". Combines sculpture, painting, and architecture (See Vitruvian Man for a better explanation)
Discuss the changes in representation of Christ and how the changes reflect the spread of Christianity and its acceptance by the Romans. (Select 2 examples from the figures 11-5, 11-15, 11-20, or 11-21)
Many images were not shown in depictions of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Romans changed burial practices from cremation to burial- so reflected in artwork. Earlier art showed Christ with his students to prove him as a true teacher- depicted as a philosopher
How did Venus of Urbino become a canon?
Posing and composition (female nudity) was so polarizing at the time; somehow still modest and was made undoubtedly beautiful with complex symbolism so became a popular piece; recreated multiple times and still cited today.
The shift from reason to feeling, from objective nature to subjective emotion, is characteristic of the attitude of mind known as
Romantacism
What is the general theme of the Ghent Altarpiece?
Salvation/ Humanity's Redemption
What two elements did Leonardo consider to be the heart of painting?
Sfumato- how the Mona Lisa was painted, with many almost transparent layers to create smoky layers Chiaroscuro- contrast between light and dark, add volume, use a lot of balck to darken colors
Goya's work con not be defined to a single stylistic classification. Summarize his varied concerns as expressed in these works:
Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters: Goya may have been illustrating what happens when reason or enlightenment ideals are suppressed, or he may have been commenting on the creative process and dreams as an artistic source. The Third of May : Here, Goya makes a political statement about the brutality of the French army against innocent Spanish peasants. His work encourages support and sympathy for Spanish independence.
Write just the subjects of the various panels:
TOP: Adam and Eve, Choir, Virgin Mary (Queen of Heaven), God (King of Heaven), John the Baptist Bottom: Just Judges, Knights of Christ, Pilgrims, Hermits, Lamb (Christ), Fountain of Life, Popes, Saints, Angels, Prophets, Martyrs
What style did Barry and Pugin use for the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament in London?
The style used was Perpendicular Gothic style
What was the reason for including Saints Sebastian and Anthony on the wings?
They are associated with disease and with miraculous curing
What was its purpose?
To be an icon for the people at the hospital
How does Turner's Slave Ship reflect the practices of 19th century slave traders?
Turner's The Slave Ship depicts the inhuman practices associated with slavery. One account detailed by Thomas Clarkson told of a slave ship captain who had all of his sick and dead slaves thrown overboard when realized his insurance did not cover him for slaves who died along the journey, but did cover slaves lost at sea.
What concerns distinguish the art of Venice from that of Florence and Rome?
Venice a. Color b. Emotional Aspect of Sight c. emotional realism Florene a. Perspective/Chiaroscuro b. Rationality c. Technical Perspective
List three devices he used to add drama to his Raft of Medusa:
X-shaped composition composed of writhing bodies Raft depicted at an angle so its corner appears to jut out at the viewer Subdued palette and prominent shadows
Intaglio:
a method of making prints from a metal plate, usually copper, into which the design has been incised by acid
One of the biggest differences between Italian and N. European Renaissance paintings is the use of oil. Briefly describe the technique and in what respects did it prove superior to tempera
a. Brighter colors b. More details c. Preservation is better
Describe 2 purely personal stylistic traits that are found in El Greco's work.
a. Elongated figures with abstractions and distortions to show the immaterial nature of the heavenly realm b. Figures bathed in cool light of uncertain origin and float in an undefined space
List 3 religious features found in Aertsen's Meat Still Life
a. Flight into Egypt in the back window (when Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus flee to Egypt because they learn that King Herod intends to kill the male infants in the area of Bethlehem) b. Mary and her family walking away to the left of the piece are not led by any angels or do they wear halos that signal their divinity. They instead are shown as holy because Mary was willing to give bread to the beggar child in need, even though they had their own struggles. c. Fish- which are associated with Lent point to the Flight into Egypt in the background
List 3 characteristics of van der Weyden's style:
a. He fills the entire compositional space, making the feeling feel compressed or cramped b. there is no use of landscape or background space c. He creates unity through lateral movement in the figures and structure of the painting
Describe 2 elements of El Greco's style that seem to be related to Italian Mannerism.
a. Mannerists paintings are characterized by elongated limbs, thin aquiline noses, long tapering fingers, undersized heads- intense emotion b. Garish colors and elaborately mannered, contorted postures.
List 2 factors that contributed to the great demand for images for private devotion.
a. Protestant Reformation- Print making allowed for the spread of private devotional materials and images, specifically the bible b. Trade that contributed to great wealth now available for private commissions by new patrons
List 4 different symbols and their meaning that van Eyck used in Arnolfini and His Bride.
a. Shoes: An event taking place b. Dog: Loyalty and Fidelity c. Candle: Holy Spirit, God's presence d. Oranges: wealth
Describe 2 elements that point toward the Baroque.
a. Strong sense of movement b. use of light
List 3 characteristics of the Isenheim Altarpiece that Grunewald used.
a. emphasis on suffering b. effective use of color c. meaningful
List 2 elements of Durer's Adam and Eve that reflect his study of Italian models?
arithmic ratios b. contrapposto
What groups are symbolized in the lower wings?
hermits =__Temperance_ judges = _Justice__ pilgrims = _Prudence__ knights = _Fortitude__
What are the primary subjects of the panels of Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delghts?
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/northern/hieronymus-bosch/a/bosch-the-garden-of-earthly-delights Left: Depicts God in a landscape presiding over the introduction of Adam and eve, includes animals such as a unicorn, elephant, giraffe, snakes, birds, fish Center: offspring of Adam and eve in surrealistic landscape enjoying earthly delights, his naked figures are engaged in amoral activities, central theme is a warning against lust Right: a version of hell is portrayed, humans being eaten by hybrid creatures, groups huddled together in fear, demons, black birds, vomit, blood. Many symbols and torture methods relate to the seven deadly sins, a warning against self indulgence Exterior: When the triptych is in the closed position (above), the outer panels, painted in grisaille (monochrome), join to form a perfect sphere—a vision of a planet-shaped clear glass vessel half-filled with water, interpreted to be either the depiction of the Flood, or day three of God's creation of the world (which has to do with the springing forth of flowers, plants and trees, in which case he's guilty of heedless over-watering). A tiny figure of God holding an open book appears on the in the uppermost left corner of the left panel. Psalm 33.9 is inscribed in it
What political event did Delacroix depict in Liberty Leading the People?
it depicts the defeated Assyrian king destroying his possessions and preparing to kill himself, the romantics were very interested in the exotic subjects and the sublime
Engraving:
process of incising a design in hard metal, often a metal work (usually copper)
Etching:
the design is incised in a layer of wax or varnish on a metal plate
triptych:
three paneled painting or altarpiece
