RENAISANCE ART.

Renaissance art perceived as a ‘rebirth’ of ancient traditions, took as its foundation the
art of classical antiquity, but transformed developments in the art of Northern Europe
and by application of the contemporary scientific knowledge.

Renaissance art with renaissance humanist philosophy, spread throughout Europe,

affecting both artists and their patrons with the development of new techniques and new
artistic sensibilities.

Renaissance art marks the transition of Europe from the medieval (ancient) period to
the early modern age. It started in Italian state of Florence before it spread to other
parts Europe between 14th to 17th centuries hence Italian renaissance.

 It describes a wave of intellectual development in science and technology

literature and music.

TECHINIQUES USED IN THE RENAISSANCE;

1. The use of perspective, the first major treatment of the painting as a window into
space appeared in the work of Giotto di Bondone, at the beginning of the 14 th
century. True linear perspective was formalized later by Filippo Brunelleschi and
Leon Batista Albert. In addition to giving a more realistic presentation of art, it
moved Renaissance painters composing more painting.

2. Foreshortening; the term foreshortening refers to the artistic effect of shortening

lines in a drawing so as to create an illusion of depth.
3. Sfumato. The term Sfumato was coined by Italian renaissance artists, Leonardo
da Vinci and refers to a fine art painting technique of blurring or softening of sharp
outlines by subtle and gradual blending of one tone in another through the use of
thin glazes to give the illusion of depth or 3dimensionality. This stems from the
Italian word sfumare meaning to evaporate or to fade out. The Latin origin is
fumare, to smoke. The opposite of Sfumato is chiaroscuro.

4. Chiaroscuro. Refers to the fine art painting, modeling effect of using a strong
contrast between light and dark to give the illusion of depth or 3dimensionality.
This comes from the Italian words meaning light and dark (chiaro and scuro
respectively) at technique which came into wide use in the baroque period,
Sfumato is opposite of chiaroscuro.
INFLUENCES;

The influences up on the development of renaissance art in the early 15 th century are
those that also affected philosophy, government and other aspects of society.

The following list presents a summary, dealt with more fully in the main articles are above;

Artistic Influences

1. Revival of Classical Styles: The Italian Renaissance saw a revival of classical

Greek and Roman styles, which influenced art, architecture, and literature.

2. Humanism: The focus on humanism led to a greater emphasis on the human form
and experience in art.

3. Realism: The use of perspective, anatomy, and naturalism created a sense of

realism in art.

Cultural Influences

1. Patronage: The patronage of wealthy families, such as the Medici, supported the arts
and encouraged innovation.

2. Intellectual Curiosity: The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical learning

and intellectual curiosity, which influenced art and culture.

3. Cross-Cultural Exchange: The Italian Renaissance was influenced by cross-cultural

exchange with other European countries and the Islamic world.

Legacy
1. Influence on Later Art Movements: The Italian Renaissance influenced later art
movements, such as the Baroque and Rococo.

2. Iconic Works: The Italian Renaissance produced iconic works of art, such as
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.

3. Cultural Heritage: The Italian Renaissance has had a lasting impact on Western
cultural heritage, shaping art, architecture, and literature.

ARTWORKS ARTISTS

 Sculpture  Leonardo davinci

 Painting  Michelangelo bonarrotti
 Drawing  Raphael sancio
 Architecture  Fillippe brunellschi
 Donatello
 Titan

SUBJECT MATTER THEMES

 Influenced by Greek mythology and Roman history.
 Imitation of proportions, postures, realism expression.
 Devotion on Christianism following classical approach.
 Study official expression revealing feeling.
 Study of human figure details and realism.
 Portraits contemporary life and historical Narratives.
 Painted Religions and Biblical scenes.

Three Major Periods

Early1400-1470

It’s characterized by the revival of classical Greek and Roman styles and the
emergency of artists such as Brunelleschi, Donatello and fra angelico

High1470-1520

It marked the peak of the artistic innovation, with masters such as Lenardo da vinci,
Michelangelo and Raphael creating iconic works.
Late1520-1600

Characterized by the raise of mannerism, a style that emphasized complexity, distortion

and emotional intensity with artists such as Tintoretto and caravaggio

Compare classical sculpture and renaissance sculpture

 Both have/used contrapposto pose

 Humanism was the key in Italian sculpture
 Depicted Nudity and draped figures
 Used Marble and Bronze
 Captured 3D form and natural form.
 The statue displayed energy and power.
 Balance of statues in body weight.
 Study of anatomical details of body structure
 Realism/individualism
 Created strong bases to give strength to statue

Differences

 Architectural features in renaissance

 Subject matter are gods, war, Athletics, than renaissance biblical scenes
 No study of classical facial expression
 Dynamic poses in classical sculpture
 Greeks used lost wax method to carve bronze

X-tics of Renaissance art

 Forms were presented in Realism styles

 Subject matter grew to majorly biblical scenes
 Dynamic forms/poses showing expression and gesture
 Study of human anatomy in painting and sculpture
 Foreshortening and study of proportions.
 Study of landscape in most compositions.
 Biblical paintings had architectural features
 Showed depth through light and shade
 Symmetry in most dominant proportion style
 Linear perspective (one paint perspective)
 Combined nature in their art compositions
 Classism–revival of Greek Roman art forms
 Use of chiaroscuro

PROMINENT ARTISTS IN RENAISANCE PERIOD

LEONARDO DA VINCI
 High renaissance artists
 Born in 1452 in Florence in Italy
 He died in 1519 at the age of 61years
 Was a scientist, engineer, mathematician a
potter, painter, sculptor
 His art works were influenced by his uncle who
had love for nature
 Made analytical studies of human figure and
inner structure of bones and muscles
 Made analytical sketches before making final
artwork
 Invented style of chiaroscuro from the Italian
words(light and dark) meaning a dramatic effect
contrasting light and dark effects in painting
 Use of tone and colour to create contrast for images to be identical from each
other within a painting
 Used dull and hazy colors to depict aerial perspective as compared to sharp
contrast on front images (monalisa)
 Discovered sfumato where tones and color are blended in composition without
using clear demarcation of line
 Combined architectural features in his painting ie; the last supper.

His Famous Paintings include

1. Mona Lisa (1503-1506): A portrait of Lisa Gherardini, considered one of the most famous
paintings in the world, known for its enigmatic smile and intricate details.
2. The Last Supper (1495-1498): A mural painting depicting the last meal Jesus shared with
his disciples before he was betrayed, showcasing Leonardo's skill in composition and
emotional expression.
3. Vitruvian Man (1490): A drawing that represents the perfect proportions of the human
body, as described by Vitruvius, demonstrating Leonardo's fascination with anatomy and
geometry.

4. Lady with an Ermine (1489-1490): A portrait of a young woman

holding an ermine, a small mammal, believed to be Cecilia
Gallerani, the mistress of Duke Ludovico Sforza.

5. The Virgin of the Rocks (1483-1486): A painting depicting

the Virgin Mary and the Christ child surrounded by angels,
showcasing Leonardo's use of sfumato and chiaroscuro.
MICHELAGELO BOUNARROTI
 Born in 1475 in caprese, Florance Italy and died 1564
 His full name is michelagello di lodovico Bounarroti simon
 Was a sculptor, painter, architectect, poet and engineer
 Was trained by Botoldo di-Giovanni.
 Was inspired by writers of Lorezo’s intellectual circle
 He greatly studied human figure detail i.e. painting of creation of Adam
 His painting was done in fresco technique. These were paintings done on fresh
plaster walls
 Painted his famous work as Sistine chapel in
Vatican that took him six years
 His compositions are depicted from biblical
stories i.e. creation of Adam
 He used marble to carve sculpture i.e David
 Used/carved nude figures in humanism
 Made in realism style in sculpture
 Used architectural features in sculptures
 His famous paintings appear on the ceiling of
Sistine chapel in Vatican, the stories in the
bible include the creation of adam, creation of
eve, the fall of man

His famous sculptures include

o David (1501-1504): A colossal marble statue depicting the biblical hero David moments
before confronting Goliath. This iconic piece is considered one of the greatest sculptures of
all time and symbolizes liberty for the Republic of Florence.
o Pietà (1498-1499): A heart-wrenching marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus
after his crucifixion. This piece showcases Michelangelo's ability to convey deep emotions
through his art.

o Bacchus (1496-1497): A marble sculpture of the Roman god of wine, showcasing

Michelangelo's skill in capturing the details of human anatomy and emotion.

o Moses (1505-1545): A sculpture of the biblical figure Moses with horns on his head, created
for Pope Julius II's burial tomb.
o The Madonna of Bruges (1501-1504): A marble sculpture of the Virgin and Child, notable
for being Michelangelo's first work to leave Italy during his lifetime.

Notable Painting Works include

1. Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512): A masterpiece of Renaissance art, featuring nine

scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the famous "Creation of Adam" panel.
2. The Last Judgment (1536-1541): A fresco on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, depicting
the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment of humanity.

3. The Entombment (1500-1501): A painting depicting the burial of Jesus Christ, showcasing
Michelangelo's skill in composition and color.
4. The Manchester Madonna (1495-1497): A painting of the Virgin and Child with Saint
John the Baptist and an angel, demonstrating Michelangelo's early mastery of composition
and emotion.

Architecture
Michelangelo was a renowned architect, in addition to being a sculptor and painter. His
architectural works have had a lasting impact on the development of Western architecture,
influencing generations of architects and artists. Some of his notable architectural works
include:

1. St. Peter's Basilica (1546-1564): Michelangelo designed the iconic dome of St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome, which was later completed by Domenico Fontana. The dome's design has
become a symbol of Rome and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.

2. Medici Chapel (1520-1534): A funerary chapel in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence,
Italy, designed for the Medici family. The chapel showcases Michelangelo's unique blend of
sculpture and architecture.
3. Laurentian Library (1523-1559): A library in Florence, Italy, designed for the Medici family.
The library's reading room features a distinctive staircase and decorative details.

Architectural Style
Michelangelo's architectural style was characterized by:

 Use of classical elements: Michelangelo often incorporated classical elements, such

as columns and arches, into his designs.
 Innovative use of materials: He experimented with new materials and techniques,
such as the use of brick and stone in his designs.
 Dynamic and expressive forms: Michelangelo's architecture often featured dynamic
and expressive forms, which reflected his background as a sculptor.
RAPHAEL SANZIO
Was born in Rome 1484 and died in 1520
Full name was Raffaello sanzio da urbino
Painter and architect
Made painting with clear forms and dramatic
composition
His painting combined da-vinci’s style of sfumato and
rendered forms like michellagelo
Combined architectural features in his painting of school
of Athens
Followed linear perspective in a composition and can
locate vanishing point
Used contrast (chiaroscuro) with dull backgrounds and
bright figures ie madona and the child

His famous Paintings include

1. The School of Athens (1509-1511): A fresco depicting some of the greatest minds of
ancient Greece, including Plato and Aristotle.
2. Parnassus (1509-1511): A fresco showing the mythological home of the Muses, featuring
Apollo and the Muses.

3. The Sistine Madonna (1501-1508): A painting of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child,
known for its beauty and serenity.

4. Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione (1514-1515): A portrait of

a young nobleman, considered one of the greatest portraits of
the Renaissance.
TITIAN

 Born in 1485 in Pieve di-cadore died in1576

 Believed to be the greatest artist of venetian
school
 Made many paintings (frescoes, altarpieces,
portraits and landscapes
 Used chiaroscuro approach
 He was colorist for he revealed great sense
of colors in his painting
 Used portraits and Christian mythology as
subject matter (pope paul iii, Mary with
christ) oil on canvas.
 Made dramatic composition with rich creamy highlights chiaroscuro to make his
subject appear naturally placed with in the picture space
 Painted many portraits with dark background and highlights on the sitter

PROMINENT WORKS OF ART IN RENAISANCE PERIOD

THE MONALISA
 Done between1503 and1505 using
oil on wood and is the world most
famous painting
 Depicts a woman putting on black
velvety dress captured in half length
 She sits upright in an arm chair in
3quater view posture
 With no jewelry, she sits quietly with
her hands folded across her laps with
her soft face and magical smile
 Behind her, is mysterious lush landscape with winding roads and Bridges that
leads to no where
 Landscape with no vanishing point (aerial) has smoky light blues that sharply
contrast with monalisa’s dark figure
 Used chiaroscuro and sfumato, atmospheric perspective
 Painted like soft smile and treated skin and body forms in soft brush strokes and
garment

THE LAST SUPPER

 Painted by Da-vinci, last supper is a high renaissance masterpiece

Painted between1495 and 1498 using oil with tempera on wall
Painting measures 15 by 29 feet, Putin dining hall of santa maria delle
Grazie in Milan
 Depicts the Biblical last supper where twelve disciples shared a meal on long
table a day before crucification.
 He captured figures in rectangular room with coffered ceiling
 At the back of the room, shows 3windows through which beautiful and landscape
in grayish horizon is seen
 He created narratives in which Christ out stretched hand, had just announced his
betrayal
 The painting shows excitement, fear, emotions doubt sadness, acceptance and
love
 Linked together with their hands movement, the apostles look around questioning
each other on who to betray Jesus.
 Judas is captured in a shadow with his face visible with bag containing silver
coins
 Leonardo put Christ at the center of the composition in a triangular shape.
 He placed four sets of groups of apostles at the table
 By this arrangement, he made Christ center of focus
 Used symmetrical balance by walls and long table
 Created depth by painting background with aerial perspective
Materials used in renaissance period
 Marble (a soft white stone)
 Bronze (clay mold and casting)
 Gold
 Pigments (frescos)
 Water paint
 oil paint
 Wood with tempera (egg York as abider)

Relevance of renaissance to modern artists

Question
Leaners are put in groups and tasked to find out on their own, the relevance of
renaissance to modern art work.
 Teaches us power on insight of the past inspiration in dealing with today issues
 Help in addressing the current challenges that previous societies faced
 Exploration of principal of perspective to create more realistic forms in painting
and sculpture
 Today there is chiaroscuro technique trending in photography as a new normal.
 Study of anatomical body details today like the Namugongo matryrs.
 Teaches us the use of 3d forms in production of sculpture and other visual forms.
 Renaissance architectural features still trend in Ugandan building techniques
today.