Chapter 16 - 15th Century Italy

Question 1

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 1

Sacrifice of Isaac by Filippo Brunelleschi. 1401. Bronze engraving.

1. Abraham lunging at his son with a knife symbolizes his faith in God’s commands.
2. Violent movement and high emotion are illustrated through the positioning of figures.
3. Planar orientation emphasized on surface.

Question 2

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 2

Sacrifice of Isaac by Lorenzo Ghiberti. 1401. Bronze engraving.

1. Grace and smoothness is emphasized throughout this piece.
2. Figure of Isaac portrays Greco-Roman statuary.
3. Spatial illusion is illustrated through the rocky landscape and foreshortening of angel.

Question 3

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 3

Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti. 1425-1452. Molding.

1. Each panel depicts an episode from the Old Testament.
2. Painting techniques can be seen in the depiction of space. Vanishing point perspective was used to represent pavement.
3. By showing figures from behind, Ghiberti showed varying degrees of projections and movement.

Question 4

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 4

Isaac and His Sons by Lorenzo Ghiberti. 1425-1452.

1. Painting techniques can be seen in the depiction of space.
2. Linear perspective used to create the illusion of space.
3. Relief increasingly flattens as the eye progresses upward.

Question 5

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 5

Saint Mark by Donatello. 1411. Sculptor.

1. Contrapposto (weight shift) is observed in the statue.
2. Robe accentuates the movement of arms, legs, shoulders, and hips.
3. Greco-Roman sculptural principles are incorporated

Question 6

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 6

David by Donatello. 1440-1460. Bronze sculpting.

1. First nude male portrayed.
2. Goliath, biblical slayer, is portrayed symbolizing Florentine Republic.
3. Relaxed contrapposto stance revived classical characteristics.