13 Tradition and Innovation: I The later fifteenth century in Italy Flashcards
In the 15th century, painters and patrons alike were fascinated by the idea that art could not only be used to tell the _______ _______ in a moving way, but might serve to _______ a fragment of the ______ world.
In the 15th century, painters and patrons alike were fascinated by the idea that art could not only be used to tell the sacred story in a moving way, but might serve to mirror a fragment of the real world.
As the cities gained importance, in 15th century artists and artisans were organised into _________.
As the cities gained importance, in 15th century artists and artisans were organised into guilds.
How did different schools of art emerge in 15th century?
In Middle Ages skilled artisans would travel from place to place. In 15th century, guilds in each city governed the creation of art, limiting entry to outsiders.
Date, identify, describe
Church of St Andrea, Mantua, 1490, Leon Battista Alberti.
Florentine architect, wrote first treatise on classical architecture.
Houses drops of Christ’s blood collected at the Crucifixion.
Facade is giant triumphal arch. Four giant pilasters with Corinthian capitals support an entablature and pediment.
Interior huge barrel vault with painted coffers.
Brings grandeur of ancient architecture into a Christian context.
https://smarthistory.org/alberti-santandrea-in-mantua/
Identify, date, describe
Palazzo Rucellai, Florence, c 1460, Leon Battista Alberti.
Early use of classical forms in domestic architecture. Pilasters and entablatures suggest classical order.
Fra Angelico dates?
Early 1400s
1387-1455
Identify, date, describe
The Annunciation, Fra Angelico, c1440, Fresco in Monastery of San Marco.
Fra Angelico painted a sacred scene in each monk’s cell and end of every corridor.
Use of perspective, but not showy. Intention to express sacred story in its beauty and simplicity.
Who was Fra Angelico?
Dominican friar, lived in Florentine Monastery of San Marco in Florence. From Fiesole. 1387-1455
Paolo Uccello dates?
1397-1475
Identify, date, describe
Battle of San Romano, Paolo Uccello, c1450. Intended placement above wainscoting in Palazzo Medici. Rout of San Romano in 1432. Focus on perspective and foreshortening: lances point towards vanishing point. Figures look artificial –hadn’t mastered the effects of light and shade of Northern Renaissance.
“Oh che dolce cosa è questa prospettiva!” Who said this, according to Vasari?
Paolo Uccello, when his wife would call him to bed from his work
Identify, date, describe
Journey of the Magi to Bethlehem, Benozzo Gozzoli, c1463, Fresco in chapel of Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence.
Pageantry of noble pasttimes reminiscent of art of Burgundy (Tres Riches Heures). Return to taste of International Gothic.
Can see new discoveries of perspective, foreshortening, observation of nature –but not observed slavishly. More important is to create charming fantasy landscape.
Identify, date, describe
St James on way to Execution, c1455, Andrea Mantegna, Fresco destroyed in WWII in church of Eremitani, Padua.
Mantegna not just interested in transmitting sacred message, but also in realism and historical accuracy. Studied Roman monuments.
Places figures in scene like a stage director, capturing drama of moment.
Andrea Mantegna dates?
Mid-late 1400s
1431-1506
Andrea Mantegna worked first in the famous university town of ________, then at the courts of the lords of ________, both in __________ Italy.
Andrea Mantegna worked first in the famous university town of Padua, then at the courts of the lords of Mantua, both in northern Italy.
Piero della Francesca dates?
mid-late 1400s
1416-92
Where did Piero della Francesca work?
Region south of Florence, in towns of Arezzo and Urbino
What is the legend of the dream that made Constantine accept the Christian faith?
Before a crucial battle with his rival, he dreamt that an angel showed him the Cross and said: ‘Under this sign you will be victorious.’
Identify, date, describe
Constantine’s dream, Piero della Francesca, c 1460. Fresco, church of S. Francesco, Arezzo.
Like Mantegna in frescos from Church of Eremitani, attempts at historical realism.
Foreshortening of angel so precise as to be almost confusing.
Most notable – specific light source and direction, coming from angel. One soldier illuminated and one in shadow.
Medieval artists had taken hardly any notice of ______. Their flat figures cast no __________.
Medieval artists had taken hardly any notice of light. Their flat figures cast no shadows.
The realism of the 15th century created which problems for artists?
Compromised ability to create a pleasing composition.
Made more difficult to compress elements of sacred story into one picture.
Identify, date, describe
Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, 1475, Antonio Pollaiuolo. Altar painting.
Shows the challenge of 15th century painters to tell the sacred story in a way that is realistic and compositionally beautiful.
Many flaws. Symmetry makes scene look rigid. Same models for all figures. Background and foreground do not fit together.
Sandro Botticelli dates
Late 1400s, early 1500s
1446-1510
Identify, date, describe
Birth of Venus, Botticelli, c1485. Tempera on canvas.
Commissioned by Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici.
Botticelli sacrifices some of achievements in realism of Mantegna and della Francesca to create pleasing composition and elegant figures. Venus is figure is idealised –long neck.
Reminiscent of Annunciation of Simone Martini and International Gothic tradition in focus on harmony.
In Renaissance Italy classical myths became popular among __________ ____________. They were so convinced of the profound ___________ of the ancients, that they believed these legends must contain some mysterious _____________.
In Renaissance Italy classical myths became popular among educated laymen. They were so convinced of the profound wisdom of the ancients, that they believed these legends must contain some mysterious truths.
Identify, date, describe
The Annunciation and scenes fro Divine Comedy, Gherardo di Giovanni, 1474.
Artist not content to convey sacred story as in medieval art. Discoveries of Renaissance are used to display wealth and luxury.
What is this kind of ancient Roman courtyard called?
A peristyle - a continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or a courtyard
Developed into cloisters seen in monasteries
Identify, date, describe
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, 1444-84, designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo
Commissioned by Cosimo de Medici
Tripartite division, emphasized by horizontal stringcourses, dividing into stories of decreasing height. Transitions from rusticated masonry to delicately refined stonework. Building seems lighter and taller as the eye moves upward to massive cornice defining building’s outline.
Exterior of the building simpler and modest while the inside was more decorated, so as not to violate sumptuary laws.
Was considered too austere for Baroque era tastes, and the palace was sold to the Riccardi family in 1659.
What is depicted here above the decorative moulding?
A stringcourse
What is a stringcourse?
A thin projecting course of brickwork or stone that runs horizontally around a building, typically to emphasize the junction between floors.
Identify, date, describe
Finestra inginocchiata –kneeling window
Designed by Michelangelo to fill in an archway that once led to a loggia
Exaggerated scrolling consoles appearing to support the sill and framed in a pedimented aedicule.
What is this called?
An aedicule (ee-di-kyool)
What is an aedicule
In classical architecture refers to a niche covered by a pediment or entablature supported by a pair of columns and typically framing a statue.
