History: The Renaissance

Question 1

Leonardo “Mona Lisa” 1503-6 by Leonardo Da Vinci (11 points)

Answer 1

• wife of a Florentine merchant
• perspective- all lines converge single vanishing point behind her head
• triangle composition importance to geometry
• relaxed three-quarter pose
• One of the first easel paintings intended to be framed and hung on the wall
• used Chiaroscuro to model features through light and shadow
• sfumato- layers of semi transparent glazes to create illusion of features
• gauzy veil
• Forms emerge from shadows without crisp separating edges
• enigmatic smile- musicians and jesters amused her
• Direct I contact contrast coy smile features mystery

Question 2

Leonardo “The Last Supper” c.1494 by Leonardo Da Vinci (4 points)

Answer 2

• Religious work- moment after Christ announces one disciple will betray him
• through a range of gesture and expression revealed first time fundamental character and psychological state of each apostle
• perspective with all diagonal lines converging on Christ’s head- pyramid composition
• Experimented with oil/tempera emulsion failed to bond plaster – mural disintegrated

Question 3

Michelangelo “The Sistine Chapel” 1508-12 by Michelangelo (6 points)

Answer 3

• 340 human figures representing the fall of man- most ambitious undertaking the whole Renaissance- 4 years
• 10 000 square feet painted on seven story high scaffolding
• On barrel vaulted leaky roof
• cumulation of figure painting
• Nudes without background or ornament, bodies more expressive than faces
• bodies relief like quality as if carved coloured stone

Question 4

Raphael “School of Athens” 1501-11 By Raphael

Answer 4

• Decorated the rooms of the Vatican in frescos
• pyramid composition borrowed from Leonardo
• From Michelangelo, Raphael adapted full body dynamic features from contrapposto pose (one leg leaning)
• School of Athens demonstrated the high renaissance balance, sculptural quality, architectural perspective and fusion of pagan and Christian elements