Images

All images from Wikipedia unless other wise noted.

Michelangelo

1475 -1564

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."

Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy. Michelangelo was an important figure during the Renaissance. He became an apprentice to a well know Florentine painter, Domenico Ghirlandaio, at age 12. During his life Michelangelo accomplished many well known painting that are still very recognizable even today. Some of his artwork includes David, Sistine Chapel, and Pieta. Michelangelo was one of the most influential painters of his time. (from: http://www.lucidcafe.com/libra ry/96ma /michelangelo.html)









David,
c. 1501-1504
Marble
Height 410 cm (13 1/2 ft)
Accademia delle Belle Arti, Florence

David: David by Michelangelo is very different from most sculptures of that time. Michelangelo portrays David standing alone where in most previous sculptures of him David is standing next the severed head of Goliath. After the completion, of David, a committee of high-ranking citizen decided to display David in the town square in front of the Plazzo Vecchio. This was the first nude marble sculpture displayed in public, which was very pioneering for this to be done. (Found on first day)


I chose this sculpture because of its power. This was truly a turning point in art history. Nude art was being brought back into society after many hundred years of this form of art being thought of as wrong.

The Creation of Man

Michelangelo

c. 1511

fresco

480 cm x 230 cm

Sistine Chapel

Vatican City

The Creation of Man: This picture depicts the moment that Adam was being created. God, represent by the man on the right being flown in by angles, is reaching toward Adam, lower left, to give him life. The picture of the hand coming closer together is perhaps one of the most recognizable painting of the Sistine Chapel. This picture represents part of the first story ever to happen, the creation of man. (found: http://www.art.com/products)

I chose this picture because of its compelling image. It is a well known piece and a wonderful work of art. Michelangelo is perhaps my favorite artist of this time. His creativity is truly remarkable and is clearly shown in this picture.

Donatello

Donatello was born in Florence. During his young years he was educated in the house of the Martelli family. To help develop his skills Donatello trained in a goldsmith shop. His works greatly displayed the expression of the people for this era in history. At one point Donatello even assisted Ghiberti with statues of prophets that they made for the doors of the Battistero di San Giovanni. Donatello died in 1966 in Florence.   (found: Wikipedia)

Donatello's David c. 1440s 5' 2 1/4 " Museo Nazionale Bargello, Florence

Donatello's David: This is the first freestanding nude sculptre. It dipicts David as a stong and comfident young man. His nackedness is thought to represent a clossness to God. This sculpure was very controversal for this time due to its exaggeration on his genitals . Many thought it to be wrong for a young man to be shown nude. David is shown over Goliath's head with a large sword in victory.   (Found: Wikipedia)

I chose this picture because of its great similarity to the David by Michelangelo. I find it to be a very different David from that of the conventional look that most protray him having. This sculpture shows David very fashionable in a time of war.

St Mary Magdalen

c. 1457
Wood, height: 188 cm
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

(from: http://www.bluffon.edu)

Mary Madeline: Mary Madeline, here is shown after the death of Jesus. She has sunken eyes and looks very ill and malnourished. She has obviously taken his death very hard. The stature shows a vivid expression on her face you can almost feel her pain.

I chose this statue because of her expression. I love the way Donatello put felling in his statute.

Botticelli

Florentine painter

1445 – 1510

Boticelli is known for modernizing art. His best works include, The Birth of Venus, La Primavera, and Calumny. Much recognition for Boticelli is more recent than some might think. Boticelli’s talent went undiscovered for centuries until during the 19th century of group called Pre-Raphaelites brought Boticelli’s work back the light. (Found on first day)

The Calumny of Apelles Sandro Botticelli c. 1494-1495 Tempera on panel 62 x 91 cm Uffizi, Florence 

The Calumny of Apelles: Calumny is a painting that stands for more than what first might appear. Each character represents a different feeling. There is Ignorance, Suspicion, Calumny, Hatred, Envy, Fraud, Penitence, and finally Truth who is shameful and modest. The figure who is painted most beautiful is Calumny. She is the woman who is dragging the girl by the hair. The King on the throne is surround by two women, Ignorance and Suspicion. The woman withdrawn from the crowd in black is Penitence. Finally the nude woman in the very back is truth, the bare truth. She is pointing to the Heavens as a sign of the greater judgment that will be held. (found: wikipedia)

I chose this image because of its compelling features that causes you to look at more closely at every aspect of the painting. I find is very fascinating that the artist chose to take his work to the next level by giving each character feeling not only by emotional aspects on their face but by their names. 

The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, c. 1482-1486; tempera on canvas, 172.5 cm x 278.5cm, Uffizi, Florence 

The Birth of Venus: Venus is shown coming out of the sea in a shell blown by Zephrys. This painting is very unusual for this time period because it is very pagan. Most painting were Roman Catholic. This painting is also very interesting because it was one pagan piece that was not burned in the bonfires held at that time for anything not relating to the church. This image is very popular even to day and is reproduced in modern culture.   (found: Wikipedia)

I chose this picture because of its recognizable figures. For me this is the picture I have seen the most by Botticelli. I love the way Botticelli made the shell like a boat for Venus. 

Mantegna

Andrea Mantegna

1431 – September 13, 1506

(image from: abcgallery.com)

Mantegna was a student of Roman archeology. He studied a lot with perspective like many others around this time. The Dead Christ is a good example of some of his work with perspective. Mantegna liked the antique look in art and tried to distance himself from the more modern art of that time. Many other artist followed examples of Mantegna. Artist such as Da Vinci, Givanni Bellini, and many more recieved inspiration from the works of Mantegna. (found: wikipedia)

The Lamentation over the Dead Christ

Andrea Mantegna

c. 1480

Tempera on canvas

68 cm x 81 cm

Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

The Dead Christ: The Dead Christ is a wonderful example of how Mantegna used perception. It shows Christ in a different position than most other painting like this from the Renaissance. One interesting thing about this painting is how the feet are proportioned with the body. They are smaller than they should be. If they were shown to accurate size they would cover a lot of the body. The two people in the painting are Mary and St. John. They are shown morning for Christ.   (from: Wikipedia)

I chose this painting because of it's interesting portrayal of Christ. I find it most compelling because of the angle at which it is shown.

                                  

Oculus
by Andrea Mantegna
1471-74, fresco, diameter 270 cm
Camera degli Sposi, Palazzo Ducale,
Mantua, Italy

Oculus: Mantegna was an artist known for his pioneering idea of perspective. He married Nicolosia Bellini in 1453 and influnced her brothers, which were also prominite painters during this era. His great since of perspective kept him in high demand. In this picture it shows cheribs and other winged creatures looking down on the view. It was painted in such a way that it looks as though it is above you. (found: http://www.finearttouch.com)

I chose this painting because of its fascinating perspective. I love the way it appears above you. This is a wonderful example of what Mantegna is best known for. 

Ghiberti

LORENZO GHIBERTI

Painter of Florence

(1378-1455)

Ghiberti was born in Florence in 1378. He was skilled in goldsmith and as an artist. Ghiberti became well know in a 1401 contest to build the cathedral door. These doors The Gates of Paradise became his best known work. Ghiberti was also a humanist, and was a strong advocate for spreading around humanist ideas. (from: wikipedia)

The Gates of Paradise 

c. 1452

Gilt bronze

 80 x 80 cm 

(image from: http://images.google.com)

The Gates of Paradise: The doors took Ghiberti around 21 years to build. There are 28 panels. 20 show pictures from the Bible and the last 8 are of important figures in the church. The door is made of bronze panels. The door that is now there is not the original. It was decided in the 1900s that the original was deteriorating so a copy was made and the original is now displayed in a museum.   (from: wikipedia)

I chose this door because of its fame. This is the best known work by Ghiberti and is one of his only famous pieces. 

 

Masaccio

December 21, 1401 – autumn 1428

During his short life, under 30 years, Masaccio influnced the art community greatly. He was the first well known artist of the Italian Renaissance. Masaccio was a pioneer in vanishing points and scientific perpective.   (Found: wikipedia)

The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

1426-27
Fresco, 208 x 88 cm
Cappella Brancacci, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence

The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden: This picture shows the angel escorting Adam and Eve out of the garden. There are three things in this picture that do not go with the Bible. 1) They are naked where they should have on animal clothes. 2) There is a gate which is not mentioned in the Bible. 3) There is only one angel and in the Bible is says there was more than one. (from: wikipedia)

(image from: http://images.google.com)

I chose this picture because of the true expression on each of their face. Also one thing i find interesting is in a time of embracing nudity Masaccio decided to leave that out in this picture.