Midterm Exam Flashcards
(47 cards)
When/what was the Renaissance?
The historic period between the late 14th century and the second half of the 16th century, which was characterized by the rebirth of the cultural and artistic life. Its roots originated in early Florentine Humanism. This movement meant a complete release of thought and action from the strict theological and very limited dogmas of the Middle Ages.
What is naturalism?
The study of man and the universe with an open mind (without the use of metaphysics). Man is the centre and measure of all things.
How was religion viewed during the Renaissance?
The religious vision of life disintegrated from the divine to human. In earlier times, God was above everything, but in Renaissance times, God was in everything (Example: “Neoplatanism” - seeing the presence of God in nature). In short, religion was still very present, but the attitudes surrounding it became less negative.
What role did the classics play in the Renaissance?
The Renaissance began to utilize the classical ideas and forms again in the arts, following cultural ideals of continuation with the ancient world.
How did the meaning of art change during the Renaissance?
Art was no longer a “mechanical activity,” or a sort of handcraft (think artisans vs. artist), but a “liberalis,”or rather, an intellectual exercise. Art became an instrument of knowledge and research into reality.
When did Florence first become a destination for the rest of the Western World?
In 1200 merchants put Florence on the map.
Example: wool merchants
What important events occurred in the year 1348?
- Gigantic bankruptcy in Florence.
This is significant because at the time, Florentines were the bankers of Popes and Kings.
- The Black Death (“the plague”).
It wiped out 1/3 the population of Florence, but the city recovered quickly. The best minds in the world were in Florence around this time; people thought deeper about life, death, and nature. This eventually sparked the Renaissance.
What is the importance of the Medici family in relation to Renaissance art?
They arrived in Florence as a new banking family with Cosimo I. He believed he could “wash his soul” by investing the money he made in art, which led to the restoration and construction of buildings, as well as generous funding for artists and writers.
What is the Pazzi family famous for?
Their assassination attempt of the 1470’s. They succeeded in killing Giuliani, Lorenzo the Magnificent’s brother, but failed to kill him. “Pazzi” means mad.
What important event occurred in 1993?
The mafia put a bomb under the Uffizi Gallery that killed a family and destroyed an entire wing of artwork.
What important event occurred in 1966?
The Arno River flooded, destroying and damaging bridges, as well as numerous important paintings and manuscripts in the library.
What are some key characteristics of the Byzantine style?
- Static figures
- All faces look alike
- Gold background
What are some key characteristics of Romanesque style churches?
- Simple, geometric style
- Mosaics in gold
- Absence of chapels
- Central nave, two aisles
- Crypt is present
- Earthbound, heavy style
Examples: San Miniato, Baptistery in Florence
What are some key characteristics of Gothic style churches?
- Tall designs that sweep upward (everything is a progression to God above)
- Pointed arches
- Vaulted ceilings
- Presence of light symbolizes presence of the divine
- Emphasis on decorative and ornate style
- Presence of chapels
Examples: Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Body of Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio
What are some key characteristics of Renaissance style architecture?
- Rejection of tall/intricate Gothic style for a more simple and balanced style based on classicism.
- Rounded domes, arches, and classical orders were revived.
- The walls served as a flat canvas for a classical veneer.
Examples: San Marco, Dome of Duomo, facade of S.M. Novella and Santa Croce (mid 1400’s)
What was the function of Florentine guilds during the Renaissance?
To protect the rights of workers, similar to unions nowadays. However, unlike unions, membership in a guild was required in order to do business. They also regulated market, and set prices. Artists and artisans had to pass an exam to be accepted into their guild.
How did Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno” affect Florentine art around the time of the Renaissance?
His invention of Purgatory sparked interest in judgement day, which can be seen through art like the frescoes in San Miniata, as well as the fresco of the nine levels of hell inside Santa Maria Novella.
artist, title, date, medium, location
Cimabue, Madonna, late 1200’s, tempera on wood, Uffizi Gallery Florence
- optic perspective
- Byzantine style: gold everywhere = divinity; figure of Mary is static; children are small adults
artist, title, date, medium, location
Giotto, Madonna, early 1300’s, tempera on wood, Uffizi Gallery Florence
Comparison to Cimabue’s Madonna:
- Giotto created a revolution in art with the element of humanism
- background is still gold (Byz), but pointy arch is gothic
- optic perspective, but with a more realistic distribution
ex: 2 angels kneeling in front of throne - Element of naturalism is present:
ex: the shape of Mary’s body beneath robes
artist, title, date, medium, location
Giotto, Crucifixion, late 1200’s, tempera on wood, Santa Maria Novella
- traditional iconography, but this looks like a real body for the first time
- the representation of the human body was one of Giotto’s strengths
artist, title, date, location
Andrea Pisano, south doors of the Baptistery, 1330’s, Florence
- scenes from the story of John the baptist
- sense of rigidity overall
artist, title, date, medium, location
Masaccio, Trinity, early 1400’s, fresco, Santa Maria Novella
- Masaccio was a key artist of the fresco style
- Subject matter: Jesus being crucified with God in the background and a dove of peace
- more advance sense of perspective than previous artists’ attempts
- Roman columns allude to classical and ancient world
artist, title, date, medium, location
Beato (Fra) Angelico, Deposition, early 1400’s, tempera on panel, San Marco
- Beato Angelico was a prolific monk painter that used both old (tempera) and new (fresco) style
- still uses gold
- natural, but no perfect sense of proportion
artist, title, date, medium, location
Beato (Fra) Angelico, The Mocking of Christ with the Virgin and Saint Dominic, mid 1400’s, fresco, San Marco
- fresco that has a sense of harmony and balance
- newer, more Renaissance style
- scene of the mocking of Christ (crown of thorns, beating spitting at him)
- symbolic work overall
