12 The Conquest of Reality: the early fifteenth century

Question 1

Why was the ‘renaissance’ so called?

Answer 1

Based on the idea that Italy had been the centre of civilised world, had its power broken by Germanic tribes, and was regaining its lost glory.

Question 2

Where does name Gothic come from?

Answer 2

From idea that any art before the Renaissance was not Italian, but result of the barbaric influence of Germanic tribes, such as the Goths.

Question 3

Why were the Middle Ages so called?

Answer 3

As the intervening period between classical times and the Renaissance.

Question 4

Why was Italy more likely to consider art before the Renaissance as primitive?

Answer 4

They lagged behind the north of Europe in the Middle Ages, and so the art of Giotto seemed a tremendous innovation to them.

Question 5

Brunelleschi dates?

Answer 5

Late 1300s, early 1400s
1377-1446

Question 6

Brunelleschi is most famous for?

Answer 6

Dome of cathedral in Florence. No artist was able to span the immense space between the pillars on which the dome was to rest, until Brunelleschi devised a method of accomplishing this.

Question 7

How did Brunelleschi learn from the architects of ancient Rome?

Answer 7

He travelled to Rome and measured the ruins of temples and palaces, making sketches of their forms and ornaments.

Question 8

Identify, date, describe

Answer 8

Dome of Florence Cathedral, c1420-36, Filippo Brunelleschi

Question 9

Identify, date, describe

Answer 9

Capella Pazzi, in the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, c1430, Filippo Brunelleschi. Shows influence of classical style in columns, pilasters, classical arches and pediment over door

Question 10

Identify, date, describe

Answer 10

Interior of Cappella Pazzi, in the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence, c1430, Filippo Brunelleschi. Absence of Gothic features – no high windows, no slim pillars. Blank walls subdivided by grey pilasters, which convey idea of classical ‘order’, although serve only ornamental function.

Question 11

What are pilasters?

Answer 11

Flat half-columns

Question 12

Who is credited with coming up with laws of linear perspective?

Answer 12

Brunelleschi

Question 13

Identify, date, describe

Answer 13

Masaccio, Holy Trinity with the Virgin, St. John and donors, c1425. Fresco in church of Sta Maria Novella, Florence.

One of first paintings to use laws of perspective –effect heightened by framing of figures. Total shift away from international gothic style. Here are heavy, massive, statuesque figures and angular forms. Dramatic grandeur à la Giotto, rather than dainty details.

Question 14

Masaccio dates?

Answer 14

1401-28

Question 15

Greatest sculptor of Brunelleschi’s circle?

Answer 15

Donatello (1386-1466)

Question 16

Donatello dates?

Answer 16

1386-1466

Question 17

Identify, date, describe

Answer 17

St George, Donatello, c1415. Destined for niche outside Florentine church. Unlike serene beauty of Medieval saints, we see a naturalistic pose, feet planted firmly on ground, and face depicting anxiety and concentration –ready to spring into action. Made from model posing in workshop.

Question 18

The study of Greek and Roman art did not ________ the Renaissance. It was the _______. Artists longed for a _______ of art and turned to nature, science and the remains of ________.

Answer 18

The study of Greek and Roman art did not cause the Renaissance. It was the opposite. Artists longed for a revival of art and turned to nature, science and the remains of antiquity.

Question 19

What new method did the Florentine masters of 15th century use to achieve realistic depictions of bodies?

Answer 19

Studied human body in studios and workshops by asking people to pose.

Question 20

Identify, date, describe

Answer 20

Feast of Herod, Donatello 1423, Gilt bronze, relief on font of baptistery, Siena Cathedral. Novel approach to depiction of Biblical scene. Not pleasing pattern –harsh angular figures in chaotic scene. Precise use of perspective.

Question 21

Identify, date, describe

Answer 21

The prophets Daniel (turban) and Isaiah (old man). Claus Sluter, 1396. Made in Dijon, capital of prosperous Duchy of Burgundy. Sculpture once formed base of large crucifix. Strikingly lifelike, individualised sculptures were being created outside of Italy in late 1300s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdIVZrr_8tI

Question 22

Jan van Eyck dates?

Answer 22

1390-1441

Question 23

The Ghent altarpiece was completed in _______, the very years of the great works of __________ and ____________ in Italy.

Answer 23

The Ghent altarpiece was completed in 1432, the very years of the great works of Donatello and Masaccio in Italy.

Question 24

Identify, date, describe

Answer 24

Ghent altarpiece, Jan van Eyck, 1432. Incredible realism and attention to detail, particularly in depiction of Adam and Eve after the fall. Sumptuousness of heavenly figures, use of gold and interest in beautiful surface detail bares traces of International Gothic Style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udgNvPpDb2I

Question 25

Difference in approach between Southern and Northern masters of early 1400s?

Answer 25

Southern –began with perspective lines and built up figures based on anatomy and laws of foreshortening. Focus on bold outlines and structure, and on mastery of beautiful human body. Strong interest in classical world.

Northern –achieve illusion of nature by patiently adding detail upon detail until picture becomes like mirror of visible world. Focus on beautiful surface of things –flowers, jewels, fabric. Strong interest in realistic detail.

Question 26

Ghent altarpiece is the first ___________ ________ painting

Answer 26

Ghent altarpiece is the first monumental oil painting

Question 27

What paint was used before 1400s and what was it made from?

Answer 27

Tempera, from ground pigment and egg.

Question 28

What were the drawbacks of tempera paint?

Answer 28

Dried quickly, and does not allow smooth transitions where colours shade into each other

Question 29

What are advantages of oil paint?

Answer 29

Can work more slowly and accurately. Richer shading. Make glossy colours that can be applied in layers, and add glittering highlights with pointed brush.

Question 30

Identify, date, describe

Answer 30

Betrothal of the Arnolfini, Jan Van Eyck, 1434, oil on wood. Painter probably asked to record this moment as witness, and can see two witnesses in mirror, and words ‘Johannes de eyck fuit hic’. Like a signed photograph.

Question 31

Identify, date, describe

Answer 31

Konrad Witz, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, 1444, oil on wood. Intended as alterpiece for Geneva. Represents St Peter’s encounter with Christ after resurrection. Painted Lake Geneva from life –with snow-capped Mont Blanc in distance. Earliest known faithful portrayal of a landscape in European art history. Apostles are recognisably real fisherman – worshippers could see themselves in the depiction of apostles. Notably, they cast a reflection, while Christ does not.

Question 32

What is a rood screen, what is its etymology, and what are the other names for it?

Answer 32

Ornate partition between chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron.

Originally would have been surmounted by a rood loft carrying the Great Rood, a sculptural representation of the Crucifixion.

Rood was originally the only Old English word for the cross.

The phrase “by the rood” was used in swearing, e.g. “No, by the rood, not so” in Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 4).

Also called choir screen, chancel screen, jubé, tramezzo.

Question 33

In what year was linear perspective rediscovered and by whom?

Answer 33

1420, by Brunelleschi