Monday 3 May 2010

Unit 7 - 16C High Renaissance

Before reading the set book this time I read through the relevant chapters in Gombrich's Story of Art.  I found this really helpful, perhaps because I find the way he writes really easy to read and understand or maybe because when reading this I didn't feel the need to take notes as it was 'for fun' rather than for the course.  Whatever the reason it certainly made the reading and viewing for this chapter easier than I've found previously as I didn't feel so inundated by new knowledge.

The high renaissance was the time when artists really started to become known and famous in their own lifetimes.  The big names broke away from being skilled craftsmen and began to be courted by the rich and famous (popes, emperors, royalty) to produce works for them.  Although still lots of religious art, more and more non religious subjects and paintings were produced as well.  Classical ideas were still popular with mythological themes.

Changes were happening in religion with protestant reformation.

Importance of Venice - rich state, lots of commerce.  Saw itself as ideal

Talking about Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael (AWHOA - page 466)
"supreme technical accomplishment,  perfect co-ordination of mind, eye and hand, was attained by all three.  Problems which had vexed earlier artists they effortlessly resolved.  In their work artistic form is always beautifully adjusted to intellectual content."

Will add notes about the artists on artists post!
Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Leonardo, Correggio, Giorgione, Tinteretti - All Italian
El Greco - born in Crete but Venitian
Flemish - Heironimous Bosch, Durer, Pieter Brugel the Elder

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