Midterm Flashcards
Scriptorium
Writing studio in monistaries
What are the three key themes for Midievil art/ times?
- The spread if Christianity throughout Europe, occurs through pilgrimages, strong bonds between secular leaders and papacy, and through building of monistaries 2. The borrowing of roman traditions in building- primarily because they were the masters of building for the masses, if a church had a relic it would attract a lot of pilgrims who were clearing their spiritual debt
Repousse
A technique where hammering of metal creates reliefs used for book covers
Illuminated manuscript
Decorated page of a holy book, made only in monistaries
Tympanum
The space above the entrance doors or a church, hemispherical space full of reliefs
Relic
A holy object
Reliquary
Casing for the relic
Three general time periods for Middle Ages
410-768 warrior lords 768-919 Hibernon-Saxon 919-1024 ottoman
Image 1
Chi-rho-iota page, Book of Kells
Hiberno-saxon style, late 8th century
Example of an illuminated manuscript masterpiece. The opening page to the gospel of saint Mathew. The painter transformed iblical text into an abstract pattern, some half-winged angels appear . Considered the chief relic of the western world
Crucifixion, front cover of the Lindau Gospels from saint Gall Switzerland CA 870
Highlights the stylistic diversity of early mideval art in europehowever you also see the translated figural style in line with frankish emperors of rom. Made with reposse and contains pearls and jewels that are raised on golen claw feet so they catch and reflect light . Depicts an unsuffering Chris, beardless. Unlike the four angles amd ,ary and saint john who show nervousness and suffering
Bronze doors of Bishop Bernward for Saint Michael’s
1015 Ottonian style commisioned by Bernward
Technological marvels because the Ottonian metalworkers cast each giant door (15 feet) in a single piece with the figural sculpture. The 16 individual panels on doors stem from this. Panels can be read two ways those on the left depict Genesis and those on the right depict the life of jesus so read top to bottom or left to right showing the dual nature of christianity (sin and redemption). Placed on the door as an image to remind people of the rules that they must follow
Gero Crucifix c 970 commisioned by Archbishop Gero for cologne cathedral. painted wood, 6’2”Ottonian style
This is a statue but also a relic holds the bread for the eucarist. Shows the revived ottonian interest in free standing sculpture. Presents a dramatically differenc Christ from the Lindau Gospels cover. Consistent with the byzantine element of ottonian art of the suffering jesus. Shows the anguish and the intesne agony of Christ. most powerful characterization of the intense agony of early middle ages are
The two key themes in Gothic art and Architecture
- The Growth of urbinization around gothic cathedrals which become the center for economic and spiritual prosperity
- The developement of new architectural support systems for gothic churches
Ribbed Groin Vaults
Distinguishing feature is the crossed or diagonal arches under its groins. These arches form the skeletal framework for constructing the vault
Door Jams
Flanked the entrance doors of churches statues
Flying Buttresses
Masonry struts that transfer the thrust of the nave vaults to a tall pier rising above the churches exterior walls
Apse
A semiciruclar recess covered with a vault
Compound Pier
A pier witha group or cluster of attached shafts or responds extending to the sprining of the vaults
Nave
Central area of a longitudinaly planned cathedral where people sit
Tracery
The portion of the stained glass windows that holds the glass pieces together
General timeframes of Gothic Area
Early gothic 1140-1190
High gothic 1190 - 1300
Late/early renissaunce 1300-1500
Plan and interior view of the Choir of the abby of the Church of Saint-Denis, Abbot Sugar 1140 Sugar convinces that Saint Denis should be rebuilt. He reads a lot and believes that he is rading the works of Saint Denis but they are Greek works these inspire him to structure the church with mathematical harmony, include the mystical effects of light and he connects the vertical height is a connection between God and Christian worshippers. Creates the pointed ribbed groin vaults which allows sections fo the groin vaults and bays to go higher. These also allow him to include beautiful stained glass- lux nova use of stained glass becomes a hallmark after this
Chartes Cathedral, France 13th centure (1150)
Thiery of Chartes
Exemplifies early gothic and high gothic styles. Burned down several times, typical. See an interest in verticality, more intricate details and ornate. Geometry associated with a spiritual foundation, three is the spiritual number for christianity and see the 3 in many aspects of the church. 3 windows on west facade 3 sections of church, triangle on top of the frieze royal portal has 3 openings
West Facade of Chartes Cathedral in France, 13th century. Can see the advancement of architecture in the two towers, one showing early gothic the other high gothic styles, see the presence of 3 as the holy number, see the royal portal which is the most complete surviving ensemble of early gothic sculpture
Interior of Chartes Cathedral 13th century example of high-gothic style, ribbed groin valuts, verticality, rose window
Tripartite elevation consisting of navve arcade, triforium and clerestory with stained glass. New kind of organization with rectangular nave bays. new structure unified the bays and the nave vaults were all level
Christ as architect or God as creater of the world 1230. Illuminated manuscript. Geometry and mathematics played an important unifying role in Gothic religion. This manuscript portrays a number of geometric aspects that are important - Circle: eternity, the cumpus is a triangle= holy trinity, god is also using geometry to create the worlds
Court of Justinian
Apse mosaic
San Vitale 547 CE
Haigia Sophia Constantanoble
Completed 537 CE
View of interior of Hagia Sophia after its conversion to a mosque
537 CE
Virgin and child with saints and angles, icon in the monistary of saint catherine, Eqypt.Second half of 6th century, Encaustic on wood
Two key themes for islamic art and architecture
- Glorification of the Islamic faith through arabesques and caligraphy arts
- Architecture design focused on the importance of worship
minaret
A slender thin tower at a mosque used to call people to prayer
miharb
a semicircular niche in a wall in a mosque that indicates the quibla, the direction of mecca
Quibla
The wall in which the mihrab is the wall faced during prayer, indicates the direction of mecca
Temple of Portunus: 75 BCE
Demonstrates how republican temples combined Greek and Etruscan plans. Uses the Ionic order but has a staircase and freestanding columns only in front. Stone overlaid with stucco
Villa of the Mysteries near pompeii, 50BCE Fresco
Room was used to celebrate the god of wine. Example of the second style of painting in rome, where walls are disolved
Augustus of Primaporta, 1st century CE.
Early empire
There is a time of peace during Augustus’s reign, he also cretes a lot of public works. This sculpture gives him an identity breast plate looks militaristic but it depicts peacful scenes, stance suggests an orato. This statue was made when he was 60 but they continue to give him a younge face- the emperor doesnt age
THE COLLESEUM 100CE
ROMAN EMPIRE
See here that the arches become barrel vaults= wide arches that allow for the seating of many people without building into the side of a hill. See the roman’s interests in pleasing people, bringing people together entertainment also served to recruit for army
Pantheone, Rome 100CE
Dedicated to all of the gods built to be greater then Parthenon, holds some elements from this building including the columns, frieze but we see a rotunda and a large dome with oculuc. The dome is a genius invention of romans as they used concrete and Cofeurs (recessed squares) to make the dome light enough to stand up. Oculus is the eye of god- unsure of the reason for it speculation on makes things lighter, for light, mysiticality of light
Humanism
The tenets underlying humanism include the emphasis on education, and on expanding knowledge (especially of classic antiquity) the exploration of individual potential the desire to excell and a commitment to civic and moral responsabilities
A movement beginning with the revival and discovery of Rome’s and Greece’s ancient history (the Classical past). Humanists emphasized rationality, intellectual rigor, dignity, and the individual potential of all human beings
The key themes for the Renissaunce are
- The birth of the artist as a genius
- The use of art and architecture to understand science
- The merge of christian beliefs and the classical past
Holy Trinity, Santa Maria Novella, Florence Italy 1424, Masaccio
Is the premier early example of the application of mathematics to the depiction of space, according to Brunelleschi’s system of perspective. Reminiscent of the roman triumphal arch, have the virgin Mary and saint John on either side ofr Christ. Contains the holy trinity nd a moratorium (reminder of death) VP is as at the foot of the cross-look up at the christ and down on the tomb. See an adjustment of the pictures space to the viewers position. Also conveys the resounding central tentants of christianity - the ascending pyrmads leads the viewers from the despair of death to the hope of resurection and eternal life with Christ
Church of San Lorenzo, Brunelleschi 1446 Florence
Auster decor and mathematical clarity are reminiscent of Roman/Greek arrchitecture and contrast drastically with Gothic. No Groin vaults. Although longitudinally designed because the various aspects of the interior resemble eachother it has a centralizing effect.Used fixed ratios to determine elevation. Reflects faith in reason and not emotions
Villa Rotunda, Palladio Italy 1550
Palladio becomes the first known architect. What he has done here is domesticized the holy buildings reserved for gods and the religous and secular leaders and makes it into a home. Style for the purpose of style. He also spoke with his patron and tried to design the layout to functionally please the person he was building for
David by Donatello 1400
Bronze
Slender young boy, much more character in this david, seems efeminate less idealized then the roman forms, may have been portraying neoplatism and homosexuality references. Demonstrates the revival of the freestanding nude in renissaunce, this is the first sculpture to portray the male nude. Similarities to rome and differences, have contrapasto
Portrait of Giovani and his wife, 1400
Jan Van Eyck
Has a lot of hidden symbolism such as the dog-fertility, the shoes cast off- holy ground. Shows atmospheric perspective. All early renissaunce things
This is the first example of the artist portraying himself as genius. Reflection of himself in the convex mirror9Like a surveliance window) he is like god capturing/stealing the moment. Ist instance of an artist signing his name
Foreshortenting
Perspective technique to show debt, show reality with only one object
Sfumato
Smokey, creating a misty haze obscures lines and angles- da vinci
last Super, Leonardo Da Vinci 1500
What makes this renissaunce is the linear perspective,/rational, naturalism-each figure has a specific expression similar to hellanistic art, nothing artificial - no halos no artifical light, christ is framed with natural light
-uses other “tricks” to direct your eye to the focus of the piece including convergence of the VP Christ forms a triangle, people sitting in groups of three, christ is framed by natural light, Pediment abov jesus head is the only curve in the architecture, serves as a halo. Da vinci tried a new technique with this painting called a secco, added oil paint to tempera to dried plaster. This has not withstood the tests of time
School of Athens, Raphael 1500
- See barrel vaults,
_painted with humanism: Figures have self-assurance conveys balance harmony, calm
-Each character projects a mood that reflects his belief
Vanishing point is platos left hand
David, Michaelangelo 1500
- Idealized form in contrapasto with balance of arms and legs, but huge hands
- He believes that the artist isnt a genius but that you can find the form and the beauty in the rock if you look hard enough
- The statue is before David killed Goliath, you see aprehension in his face. He is not yet victorious and must be witty (again reflecting the renissaunce importance) Allows us to become part of the story this is a throw-back to the hellenistic psycology
Tenebrism
Unlike chiascuru which is only on forms, this takes up the entire picture plane and shows a dramatic difference between light and dark.
Baroque period begins when
The three major themes are ?
1580-1750
- The protestant reformation (martin luther) and the Counter-reformation are the major reasons for the themes and subject matter in the art world
- Baroque art is geared to affecting the viewer emotionally not intelletually
- The stylistic characteristic of baroque art is an interest in theatrical effects, asymetry, diagonal plains, tenebrism
Venus of Urbino, Titian 1538
- See the renissaunce connection to the classical past, added 1 point perspective, convincing space, column reference, dog sign of fidelity
- Establishes the compositional elements and standards for painting the reclining female nude
The last super, Tintoretto 1600
Shows many characteristics of Mannerism including unusual presentation of traditional themse, imbalanced compositions and complexity to produce a painting that is umbued with emotional power, depth of spiritual vision and glowing color schemes. also shows us the counter-reformer influence
santa maria della victtoria,Cornaro Chapel, Bernini 1600
- Bernini executed all of the entire piece here bringing together architecture, painting and sculpture to create a very baroque very emotional expereince for the viewer
Highlights are his mastery of creating all of the different textures with marble, the expressions on the statues, the light that comes in from the secret window- In line with teh counter reformists goals that artwork can increase devotion and piety
-Shows the ecstacy of dying and meeting god
Facade if San Carlo, Borromini 1600
Opening of the square form of the building to create an ungulating wave. Breaking up of tight symetry. His style had a strong influence on later baroque artcitecture
- Deeply recessed windows
- Interior has a coffered oval dome, different then the traditional round dome.
- We begin to see the use of ovals as the trademark of baroque
Judith slays Holofernes, Gentileschi 1600
Most famous female painter of the time, studied caravagio
- See the adoption of the dark themes and tenebrism used by Caravagio
- Heightened drama by placing the most violent scene of the work close to the viewer
- Scenes of heroic women were a favorite subject of her
Las Meninas, Velazquez
This work is about the practice of art, art about art. Makes you question and think about the intellectual and social aspects of being an artist
Cunning contrasts of real, mirrored and pictoral spaces to elevate both himself and the profession of painting
Rembrandt, Self Portrait 1700
See rembrandts interest in revealing the human soul. Careful use of light and controlled setting focus us on this
- His objective is to bring the viewers focus to the face which has many different variations in hue, lots of paint and is expressive
- See his characteristic use of light
- Teaching us how to look closely and to look at oneself
- Half circles “artistic virtuoso”
Woman Holding a Balance, Vermeer 1700
- Suggestions that he used a camera obscura-rudamentory camera to capture his device but certainly a mirror
- Hidden symbolism, have a middle class woman holding a scale contimplating wealth/ materialism which good christians are supposed to deny
