15th-Century Italy: Imagery [Chronological]

Question 1

When does the Cassone with the Conquest of Trebizond originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 1

Apollona Di Giovanni Di Tomaso and Marco Del Buono Giamberti, Cassone with the Conquest of Trebizond, c. 1461, Early Renaissance

• Marriage chest: expensive gifts, filled with luxury textiles, and expensive clothing/ jewelry–> Showed off power/influence= elite weddings
• Studied naturalism and opulence –> attempt at perspective. Visual decadence and material amplification of the scene reminiscent of motifs/materials incorporated into international gothic styled artworks–> amplify elegance and wealth.
• Continuation of mixed media, role of women as patrons and recipients of artwork, and importance of artworks in the domestic sphere as much as in yje public and religious context.

Question 2

When does the Sacrifice of Issac at the Florence Bapistry originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 2

Lorenzo Ghiberti, Sacrifice of Issac, Competition Panel for the East Doors of the Florence Baptistry, c.1401-2, Gilt bronze, Early Renaissance.

• Competition–> fueled for a desire of recognition, fame, power–> drove innovation and productivity and refining skills
• Scenes set in a Quatrefoil frame (popular for Gothic architecture)
• Brunelleschi: (did not win), presented a tense, dramatic story–> drew from classical artworks–> medieval visual style= flow of the drapery, sweeping posture, and emphatic hand gestures.
• Ghiberti: presents a scene more integrated in a three dimensional space–> modeled off classical sculptures (dynamic, natural curvature), Christian iconography.

Question 3

When does the Masaccio, Holy Trinity originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 3

Massaccio, Holy Trinity, c.1424-27, Fresco, Early Renaissance.

• Impression that is pushing back against a wall. Anatomical interest is present in the figure. Linear perspective.
• Open tomb w/skeleton= momento-mori> piece prompts meditative peace, prompts meditation and introspection.

Question 4

When does the Masaccio, Tribute Money originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 4

Masaccio, Tribute Money, c.1424-27, Fresco, Early Renaissance.
- Center arrangement, provides an Aerial perspective–> creates am effect of space receding over great distances, linear perspective: geometry configures to the perspective–> configuration of three dimensional space around that centrally important figure
- Figure stands relax, naturalistic pose with voluminous drapery.

Question 5

When does the Donatello, David originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 5

Donatello, David, c.1440-60, Bronze, Early Renaissance.

• Patronage of the elite, Medici family: departed from depictions of the subject through late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.
• Represents a civic identity of the city state, triumph over tyranny.

Question 6

When does the Facade of the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 6

Michelozzo Di Brunelleschi, Church of San Lorenzo, Florence Italy, 1442-70, Early Renaissance

• Italian Renaissance architects based their theories and practices on Classical Roman examples. Classical orders of Architecture– characterized by harmonious form mathematical proportion, and a unit of measurement based on the human scale–> structures make the viewer feel a certain way. Florentine law: limited display of wealth–> succeeded
• Includes Rusticated stones: Increased in palace buildings to claim space and to mark their presence–> not only seen as power but as a civic good= harmony in city

Question 7

When does the Church San Lorenzo originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 7

Fillipo Brunnelleschi, Church of San Lorenzo, Florence Italy, c. 1442-70, Early Renaissance

• Gothic style church: emphasis vertically (draw eyes upward)–> emotional impact/ drama from size. BUT Brunelleschi, in contrast, clarity in description= rational experience (human experience)
• Visual simplicity and clarity: Usage of Pietra, Serena to articulate architectural forms–> rest on proportions–> basilica plan = logic, harmony, balance, and clarity –> emphasis on geometry and harmony.

Question 8

When does the Facade of Santa Maria Novella in Florence Italy originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 8

Leon Battista Alberti, Facade of Santa Maria Novella in Florence Italy, c.1456-70, Early Renaissance.
- Classicalism and Humanism: Followed notions of rationality: Referenced Roman temples= Linear contouring, mathematical harmonies.

Question 9

When does the San Giobbe Altarpiece originate? What does the piece provide to the context of 15th-Century Italy?

Answer 9

Giovanni Bellini, San Giobbe Altarpiece (Virgin and Child Enthroned with SS. Francis, John the Baptist Job, Dominic, Sebastian, and Louis of Toulouse), c. 1478, Early Renaissance.
- Interest in recreating/ representing actual space in art: Strong interconnectivity and trade= more exotic pigments and oil-painting (no disk halos)
- Inspiration from 15-Century Europe: Rich colors, interest in the effects, especially in the creation of space and dimensionality, and on emphasis on patterns, surface.
- Meditative piece= Sacra Conversazione–> Reminiscenze of Roman arch. = semi dome, geometric indentation in a repeated patters, gold embellishments- gold mosaics reflect early Christian art and Byzantine style church decoration, Islamic ornate artworks of interlocking designs.