Medieval vs. Renaissance Art

Medieval Art Religious: shows Jesus, saints, scenes from the Bible Important figures larger than those around them Figures stiff; lack sense of movement Figures fully dressed Faces serious; show no emotion Painted figures 2-Dimentionsal; flat Paint colors bright Backgrounds mostly one color; most of the time gold

Medieval Art (things to notice) Look at the people, they all look the same. Close to stick figures. Their faces are all the same. The depth perception, there is none. Some of the people and objects look like the are floating. Linear Perspective, Focus point or vanishing point, there is none. It looks like a bunch of randomly placed objects. Religion, most medieval art has some sort of religious aspect to it. The artists normally sign their work to know who’s work it is. In this painting we do not find this.

This Medieval painting illustrates… Religious scene Background one color (gold) Serious face; no emotion All of the Above.

Religious scene. Faces serious, no emotion Gold background Bright colors No movement. Stiff figures

This Medieval painting by Giotto illustrates A non-religious scene Important figures larger than unimportant figures Perspective Expressive faces

Giotto: Madonna and Child Important figures bigger than others Religious scene Figures stiff Faces serious Figures fully dressed Bright colors Background mostly one color

Faces show little emotion

No perspective, or depth to the scene. Cannot see into the distance.

Renaissance Art Religious and non-religious scenes Interest in nature Figures life-like; 3-D Figures active; shown moving Figures nude or clothed Scenes showed real people doing everyday tasks Faces were expressive Colors responded to light (Shadows and highlights) Paintings symmetrical (Right and left sides balanced) Perspective (depth)

Renaissance Art (things to notice) -Notice the people and their faces, they look like real people with real faces. They do not look like stick figures and they all look different. -You can defiantly see depth perception in these paintings. As people and objects are closer they appear larger and as the fade to the distance they appear smaller. -As you can see there is defiantly linear perspective, vanishing or focus point. When you look at the painting your eyes are drawn to one point in the painting. -The people in the painting seem to be free to do whatever they choose. There is no reference to religion in this painting. -There is an author in the actual painting unlike Medieval works. Can you find them?

This Renaissance Painting by Leonardo Da Vinci illustrates… The Humanist’s interest in nature Flat figures Non-expressive faces No depth

Non-Religious scene: Portrait Perspective (can see depth) Figure 3-D Face expressive, shows emotion Shadows Interest in nature The Mona Lisa By Leonardo Da Vinci

Wall Paintings by Michelangelo The Sistine Chapel Wall Paintings by Michelangelo

The Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo The Creation of Adam Religious scene, figures 3-D, figures active, figures nude and clothed, faces expressive, shadows, balanced composition,

Michelangelo: The Last Judgment Religious scene Figures active Figures nude and clothed Movement Symmetry Figures lifelike (3-D)

Botticelli: The Birth of Venus Non-Religious scene (Greek mythology) Figures nude & clothed, shadows, figures active, interest in nature, symmetrical

It is clear that Rafael painted this painting during the Renaissance because… He painted a very religious scene His figures lack movement He used perspective to construct a believable architecture His composition is symmetrical Both C and D

Rafael: The School of Athens Perspective, symmetrical, shadows, expressive faces, figures nude and clothed, Non-Religious scene, people doing everyday tasks, figures active. Rafael: The School of Athens

Albrect Durer: Young Hare Interest in nature Life-like; 3-D Colors respond to light

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