16thc. Northern Europe Questions Flashcards
Describe Melencolia I
Albrecht Durer. 1514. Engraving.
- superhuman, brooding figure surrounded by tools and symbols of arts and humanities, but still unable to act
- figure wears wreath of watercress and ranunculus, plants thought to cure dryness caused by melancholy.
- figure’s crumpled purse plies on ground, representing craving, but absence of wealth.
- “I” because melancholy took three forms. this one is struggling with burden of creative imagination.
Describe Altarpiece of the Holy Blood (open)
Tilman Riemenschneider. 1499-1505. Limewood.
- main scene is last supper. moment when Christ revealed that one of his followers would betray him. made Judas the central figure and placed Jesus off-center at left.
- Jesus extends morsel of food. apostle points down to Crucifix in predella.
- repeated limited number of facial types. large heads, prominent figures, sharp cheekbones, sagging jowls, baggy eyes, and elaborate hair with thick wavy locks and curls
- muscles, etc. are lifelike
Describe Annunciation and Virgin of the Rosary
Veit Stoss. 1517-18. Painted and gilt limewood.
- for choir of Church of Saint Lawrence
- Gabriel’s greating to Mary takes place in wreath of roses symbolizing prayers of rosary, popularized by Dominicans
- disks are carved with scenes of Joys of the Virgin
- adored and supported by angels
Describe Isenheim Altarpiece (Closed)
Matthias Grunewald. 1500. Painted and gilt limewood.
-closed altarpiece shows Crucifixion in darkened landscape and Lamentation on predella.
-Saints Sebastian and Anthony Abbot standing on pedestals on wings
-showed Jesus in most brutal form
-Virgin Mary collapsed in arms of John. Mary Magdalen in anguish on her knees
-John the Baptist and land, holding cross and bleeding from breast, allude to baptism, Eucharist, and sacrificial Lamb of God.
-First Opening shows Annunciation, Nativity, and Resurrection. illuminated.
-Left, may have been inspired by Golden Mass, which celebrated divine motherhood of Virgin. included staged reenactment of angel’s visit to Mary
-Central, heavenly and earthly realms joined in one space. mother adores Child while envisioning her own future as Queen of Heaven.
-Three angels: young, mature, and feathered hybrid with birdlike crest on its human head
enclosed garden, white towel on tub, clear glass cruet = Mary’s virginity
fig tree = Virgin birth (figs thought to bear fruit without pollination)
red roses = Mary and Passion of Jesus (Crucifixion)
-Right, Christ’s explosive emergence from tomb tumbles guards, and dissolving, translucent figure shows no longer material but not yet entirely spiritual form.
2nd opening = Hagenauer’s sculpture reserved for special festivals of Saint Anthony. Wings show Anthony being attacked by horrible demons.
Describe Self-Portrait (Albrecht Durer)
- Oil on wood panel.
- idealized, almost Christ-like figure in frontal pose.
- fur-lined robe and flowing locks create equilateral triangle, the timeless symbol of unity
Describe Four Housemen of the Apocalypse
Durer. 1497-98. Woodcut.
- crowned rider, armed with bow, on white horse is Conquest.
- ride with sword on red horse = War
- ride with set of scales on black horse = Plague and Famine
- rider on sickly pale horse = Death
- compact overlapping group trampling men
Describe Adam and Eve
Durer. 1504. Engraving.
-first documented use of ideal human proportions based on Roman copies of Greek sculpture.
-plants and animals represented in naturalistic detail.
melancholy elk, choleric cat, phlegmatic fox, sensual rabbit = four human temperaments
mouse = Satan
parrot = false wisdom
Describe Four Apostles
Durer. 1526. Oil on wood panel.
- professed his Lutheranism.
- left, elderly Peter behind John, who holds an open Gospel that reads “in the beginning was the Word” which reinforced Protestant emphasis on Bible.
- Right, Mark stands behind Paul, who teachings were admired by protestants.
- long inscription on frame warns viewer not to be led astray by “false prophets” but to heed words of NT as recorded by these “four excellent men”
Describe Nymph of the Spring
Lucas Cranach the Elder. 1537. Oil on panel.
-turns nymph into highly provocative woman, who glances out of half-closed eyes.
-cast aside fashionable red velvet gown, but still wears jewelry and transparent veil that enhances her nudity.
pair of partridges = Venus and married love
-Cupid’s bow and quiver is hanging on tree.
Describe Danube Landscape
Albrecht Altdorfer. 1525. Oil on vellum on wood panel.
-pure landscape painting
Describe Francis I
Jean Clouet. 1525-30. Oil and tempera on wood panel.
- created flattering image by modeling his distinctive features with subtle shading
- image of pure power. king’s thick neck and huge body seems at odds with nervous movement of his figures.
Describe Chateau of Chenonceau
France. 1513-21.
-reflects classical principles of geometric regularity and symmetry. rectangular building with rooms arranged on each side of a wide central hall.
Describe Stucco and Wall Painting, Chamber of the Duchess of Etampes
Primaticcio. France. 1540s.
- had lithe figures of stucco nymphs, with long necks and small heads.
- spiraling postures are sexual.
Describe West Wing of the Cour Carre, Palais du Louvre
Pierre Lescot. Paris. 1546.
- incorporates Renaissance ideals of balance and regularity with classical architectural details and rich sculptural decoration
- irregular roof lines give way to rounded arches and horizontal balustrades.
Describe Oval Plate
Bernard Palissy. 1570-1590. Polychromed tin and glazed earthenware.
- style rustique
- decorated in high relief with plants, reptiles, and insects that resemble descriptions of grotto
