Comparing art from the Classical Era, Middle Ages and Renaissance Renaissance Art Comparing art from the Classical Era, Middle Ages and Renaissance

Greek and Roman Art Classical Period 500 B.C. to A.D. 500 Forms of Art: sculpture, painted pottery, murals, mosaics Purpose: to show the importance of people and leaders, as well as gods and goddesses

Classical Period Figures look idealized, perfect Bodies look active, move convincingly Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in togas Faces are bland and calm without emotion Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing real tasks of daily life Little background or sense of perspective (distant objects look smaller)

Discobolus, Myron in 450 B.C. Sculpture Doing real tasks of daily life Calm, little emotion Idealized, perfect Body is active Nude Little background

Medieval Art A.D. 500-A.D. 1400 Shows feudalism and the power of the Catholic Church in people’s lives Forms of Art: stained glass windows, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, paintings, tapestries Purpose of art: to teach religion to those who could not read or write

Medieval Period Subjects are mostly religious Figures look flat and stiff Important figures are large Fully clothed Faces are solemn with little emotion Flat, two-dimensional painted figures No interest in realistic space

Medieval Period Mostly religious Figures look large and stiff Important figures are large Fully clothed sculpture

Renaissance Art 1400-1650 Forms of Art: sculptures, murals, drawings, paintings Purposes: to show the importance of people and nature, not just religion

Renaissance Art Both religious and non religious scenes Figures look idealized, perfect May look active, moving May be nude or clothed Faces express what people are thinking Nature, lots of natural detail Full, deep backgrounds with perspective Paintings are symmetrical (balanced)

The School of Athens, Raphael, A.D. 1510 Figures look idealized, perfect Bodies look active Clothed, togas Faces express what people are thinking Natural detail Perspective, depth symmetrical

Lippi’s Madonna and Child with Two Angels A.D. 1406 Renaissance Religious Real tasks Faces express what people are thinking Natural detail Symmetrical perspective

Bathing Venus By a Roman artist third century B.C. Classical Sculpture Idealized or perfect Active, nude Faces are bland and calm Real task of daily life

Titian’s Venus and Adonis A.D. 1550 Renaissance Painting Bodies are nude or clothed Bodies look active Figures are idealized Faces show emotion Perspective with nature

Cimabue’s Madonna and Child in Majesty, A.D. 1280 Tapestry Important figures are large Figures look flat and stiff Faces are solemn with little emotion Flat, two-dimensional

Grave Stele of Hegeso 400 B.C. Classical Figures look idealized Togas Faces are bland and calm without emotion People doing real tasks or daily life

Bayeux Tapestry, A.D. 1082 Tapestry Subjects are mostly religious Important figures are large Fully clothed Faces show little emotion, Flat, two-dimensional

Michelangelo’s, Pieta, A.D. 1475 Renaissance Religious Figures look idealized Bodies are clothed Detail, perspective Bodies look active or moving

Credits Activity by History Alive Pictures from Google Images