Caravaggio and Gentileschi Flashcards
What is Caravaggio full name and what is he named after
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Named Caravaggio after his native town near Milan.
Who was Caravaggio’s Patron
Cardinal del Monte
what is patronage
Patronage refers to the support people with positions of power provided to artists
what does it mean to idealise a subject?
To think of or represent the subject as being perfect
what is naturalism
When a painting looks like our world, an accurate depection
What is earthy realism
to copy nature accuratly weather we think it ugly or beautiful
What is the term to describe Caravagio’s extreme contrasts of light and shade?
Tenebrism
Describe Tenebrism
to ‘spotlight’ his scenes with extreme contrasts of light ans shade. Extreme form of Chisroscuro
What is the picture plane?
Front of the canvus
Describe Caravaggio’s composition
Arranged in a shallow spacee close to the picture plane. The viewer is cast into the depts of the picture
Describe Caravaggio’s process (any sketches beforehand?)
Its believed he didnt make preparatory sketches. He worked directly onto a dark background
Describe Caravaggio’s technique
Smooth and carefully blended brushstrokes to not disturb the naturalism.
Explain the term Caravaggisti
Artists who painted in Caravaggio’s distinctive artstyle
Who was saint Matthew?
Matthew was a tax colector before Jesus called him asd asked him to join as a apostle.
What is the context behind “The calling of St. Matthew”?
comissioned by Cardinal Matteo (matthew) for paintings based on his namestake. Caravaggio’s first major church comission.
What is a trilogy in the context of art?
A group of three related paintings.
In “The calling of St. Matthew” how is jesus and his apostle contrasted with the other figures in the story?
Jesus + Apostle: placed on right hand side. Poorly dressed. Thin halo on jesus’ head
What innovative device does Caravaggio use in “The calling of St. Matthew”
He potrays the event in the life of christ in the setting 17th century Roman street to add to the drama and bring the story closer to the people of rome.
How does Carravaggio use light in a symbolic way in “The calling of St. Matthew”?
The light strikes diagonally, hitting Jesus’ face and hand which carries his call to st Matthew.This extreme light is called Tenebrism
What is the comoposition of “The calling of St. Matthew”?
The figures stand in the foreground close to the front of the canvus. There is no middle ground, only a dimly lit background making us feel up close and part of the scene.
What is the colour like in “The calling of St. Matthew”?
Limited to the rich reds and golds of the well dressed figures at the table.
Who was Artemisia Gentileschi?
Major italian Barque painter and the only woman follower of caravaggio.
What inspired Gentileschi?
What happened in her life to define her style?
Her father was a well known painter and she was assulted at a young age, seen in her works where in a violent scene a strong heroine is present
What is a scene by Gentileschi that depices scenes of violence with a strong heroine?
Judith beheading Holofernes (1610)
Location: Uffizi Gallery, Florance
