As we journey through our study of Western art history, and ultimately to a greater understanding of what has and still shapes art in our time, our blogs have centered on specific themes that have influenced the time periods we've been evaluating. We've looked at the different types of painting, an important two-dimensional art form, that was a major outlet of artistic production from the Gothic period and into the Renaissance. We've looked at the importance of religion (Christianity) and patronage in the arts of Europe, and the desire by Northern and Southern European artists to bring scientific observation and greater realism, both physical and emotional in nature, to their works of art by developing the use of oil paints and linear perspective to achieve that near perfect depiction of our reality. We also see the technological advances of printmaking taking hold and changing accessibility to reading and writing, and visual appreciation to a broader public. It is truly an amazing time! Today's theme centers on understanding the philosophies that supported artistic expression in the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe. To understand High Renaissance art one must understand its most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes, its philosophy, and how the culture was depicted in the works of art produced at this time. The High Renaissance is the period of the great artists, known by name during their lifetimes and ours- Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. What informs their art is Church patronage, the tastes of the royal and ducal courts and the rising middle class, as well as the philosophies of the ancient Greek and Roman past and contemporary philosophical developments that marry Christianity and classical philosophy. For today, I'd like for you to watch the videos below, and take a glance at the slide presentation, High Renaissance Art in Italy, 1495-1520. What is your philosophical take away? What of these philosophies do you feel speaks to you and spoke to the artists of the 15th and 16th century? Can you see any of that reflected in the Last Supper painting below or in any other work of this time period? Respond to either of these prompts by 11:59 pm. Looking forward to it!
Giampetrino
The Last Supper Copy after Leonardo Da Vinci, Oil on Canvas, 9’9”x 25’7” Royal Academy of Arts Collection, Magdalen College, Oxford, Comments are closed.
|