Art History Highlights: Medieval to Rococo Periods
Early Medieval Art: Sutton Hoo Purse Cover
The Sutton Hoo purse cover was found among the treasures of a pagan burial.
Cloisonné is a technique where compartments (cloisons) on a metal object are filled with enamel, glass, or gemstones, separated by strips of wire.
Romanesque Art: Sainte-Foy, Conques
Last Judgement tympanum of the west portal, Sainte-Foy, Conques, c. 1130 (Romanesque).
Gothic Architecture: Notre Dame and Chartres
West facade of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
The major goals of Gothic architecture are height and light.
Five Major Features of Gothic Buildings:
- Ribbed vaults
- Piers
- Flying buttresses
- Pointed arches
- Stained glass
Interior of Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, interior looking east.
Stained glass windows served to provide multi-colored light, creating a mystical and majestic quality.
Rose de France depicts Mary and baby Jesus.
Doorjambs at Reims are more naturalistic than at Chartres.
Islamic Art: Great Mosque of Kairouan
Great Mosque, Kairouan, Tunisia, 836-875.
The tall tower at the end of the courtyard is called a minaret.
The overall design of the mosque is modeled after Christian structures.
Mihrab, c. 1354, Iran. A mihrab is found in a mosque, set into the qibla wall.
The type of imagery used for decoration is calligraphy, telling stories rather than using representational images.
Italian Renaissance Art
Giotto di Bondone
Giotto di Bondone’s work features angels in the sky and people on the ground.
Aspects of this painting that differ from Medieval Christian art include naturalism, a theatrical, stage-like setting, figures with mass, rational space, and the evocation of real emotion.
Masaccio: Holy Trinity
Masaccio, Holy Trinity, Santa Maria Novella, Florence c. 1425.
Techniques used to organize this painting and create illusion include linear perspective, with the vanishing point aligned with eye level.
Donatello: David
Donatello, David c. 1430-1440.
Similar to classical Greek works because of the contrapposto pose.
The symbolism of David as a subject is the triumphal point of his victory over Goliath; it is also the first nude sculpture.
Sandro Botticelli: Birth of Venus
Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus c.1480
The pose of Venus is based on the classical modest Venus, inspired by a 1475 poem that describes the birth of the classical goddess.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, Milan c. 1495-1498.
This painting is located in the refectory of a Dominican convent.
Judas is distinguished from the others because he forms the strongest diagonal away from Christ and his face is in shadow.
Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa c. 1503-1505.
Sfumato is a technique that uses very delicate gradations of light and shade, creating a “lost in smoke” effect.
The subject of this portrait is the wife of a Florentine merchant.
Michelangelo: David
Michelangelo, David 1501-1504.
This depicts the moment in the narrative of David and Goliath just before the battle.
It differs from Donatello’s David because it is in contrapposto, more watchful, and tense.
Michelangelo: Creation of Adam
Michelangelo, Creation of Adam, Sistine Chapel ceiling c. 1510.
It differs from Michelangelo’s images of Noah and the flood because it is engaged in a complex narrative, smaller in size, and the Adam scene is divided in half.
Giovanni Bellini: Saint Francis in Ecstasy
Giovanni Bellini, Saint Francis in Ecstasy c. 1485.
This depicts the moment of his stigmatization.
Paintings in Venice are different from those in Florence/Rome because they are more conservative, rooted in Byzantine and Gothic traditions.
Northern Renaissance Art
Jan van Eyck: Ghent Altarpiece
Jan van Eyck, Ghent Altarpiece (open).
Christ, Mary, and John the Baptist are located along the center axis of the altarpiece.
Jan van Eyck: Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait.
The possible purpose of the painting is a wedding, registration, or commemoration.
The mirror pictures the entire scene from the back.
Mannerism
Agnolo Bronzino: Allegory of Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time
Agnolo Bronzino, Allegory of Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time (Mannerism).
The basic qualities of Mannerism are represented by figures that are porcelain-like.
Paolo Veronese: Last Supper
Paolo Veronese, Last Supper.
The Counter-Reformation opposed the painting because it was considered too naturalistic, along with Mannerist excess.
Garden of Earthly Delights
The likely subject and purpose is a satire about the folly of lust.
Baroque Art
Caravaggio: The Conversion of Saint Paul
Caravaggio, The Conversion of Saint Paul 1601.
Tenebrism is shading with quick transitions from light to deep dark.
The painting combines naturalism and spiritualism through dramatic lighting and tenebrism.
Bernini: David
Bernini, David 1623.
It is different because of its direct emotional bodily appeal and realism.
Diego Velazquez
Diego Velazquez included himself, possibly as an argument for rightful status.
The central figure is Queen Mariana.
Jan Vermeer: Kitchen Maid
Jan Vermeer, Kitchen Maid.
Genre painting depicts scenes of everyday life.
Rococo Art
Typical qualities of Rococo paintings include aristocrats gathered in gardens, fantasy, and exotic tastes.
Romanticism
Romantic artists felt that civilization corrupted nature and wanted nature to be untouched.
The event being depicted in this painting is a contemporary disaster, a national scandal.