The Middle Ages: Where the Renaissance Began

Transcription

1 The Middle Ages: Where the Renaissance Began Spans approximately 1,000 years from the 5 th (476- collapse of the Roman Empire) to the 15 th c. Spread of Christianity under the authority of the Pope. Christian clergy maintained the skills of reading and writing and the church had much influence on the arts. Feudalism - a system of society in which vassals acknowledged and fought for a lord in return for his protection for their persons and land. During the last few hundred years of the Middle Ages this system declined. Growing royal power in France England and Spain meant a decline in the power of local nobles.

2 Italian Art in the 13 th c.

3 Frederick II ( ), Holy Roman emperor, king of Sicily, and king of Jerusalem, Frederick s artists consciously imitated an ancient Roman style of sculpture in order to give visual support to his role as the Holy Roman emperor. An onyx cameo of the deities Poseidon and Athena (c B.C.), once in Frederick II's collection. Holy Roman Empire in 1250 Frederick II and his falcon. From his book "The art of hunting with birds. Biblioteca Vaticana, late 13th century

4 Italian Sculpture in the 13 th c.: Classical and Gothic influences

5 Nicola Pisano (ca ) received his early training in Southern Italy. He would most likely have been taught by one of the army of craftsmen whom Frederick II had employed to decorate his vast new building projects. In Pisa he was exposed to additional classical works in and around the cathedral, including early Christian sarcophagi, as well as French Gothic influences. Nicola Pisano - "The Adoration of the Magi" from the Pisa baptistery pulpit

6 Corinthian capital, from the Tholos, Epidauros, Greece, ca. 350 BCE. Medieval Trefoil Arch NICOLA PISANO, Pulpit (elevated platform from which the priests lead church services) of Pisa Cathedral baptistery, Pisa, Italy, Marble, approx. 15 high.

7 NICOLA PISANO, The Annunciation, Nativity, and Adoration of the Shepherds. detail of Pisa baptistery pulpit, Pisa, Italy, Marble relief

8 Comparison: Early Christian. Sarcophagus with Philosopher, Orant, and Old and New Testament scenes NICOLA PISANO, The Annunciation, Nativity, and Adoration of the Shepherds. detail of Pisa baptistery pulpit, Pisa, Italy, Marble relief Comparison: Roman Sarcophagus Lid with Reclining Woman and Child from Baths of Diocletian Rome, Italy, 4 th c. CE. Marble,

9 NICOLA PISANO, The Annunciation, Nativity, and Adoration of the Shepherds. detail of Pisa baptistery pulpit, Pisa, Italy, Marble relief Comparison: Roman. Battle of Romans and barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), from Rome, Italy, ca CE. Marble, approx. 5 high.

10 Italian Painting in the 13 th c.: The Italo-Byzantine Style (maniera greca) Throughout the Middle Ages, the Byzantine style dominated Italian painting, but its influence was especially strong after the sack of Constantinople by the crusaders in 1204, which precipitated a migration of Byzantine artists to Italy.

11 Mendicant (begging friars) orders: Renounced all worldly goods and committed themselves to spreading God s word, performing good deeds, and ministering to the sick and dying. Saint Dominic de Guzmán, ( ) founded the Dominican order in Portrait - second half of 13th century. San Domenico Maggiore, Naples Saint Francis of Assisi ( ) founded the Franciscan Order in 1209

12 Saint Francis s message of simple, humble devotion, direct experience of God, and love for all creatures had many followers throughout Europe and impacted art and architecture. Stigmata BONAVENTURA BERLINGHIERI, panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece, Church of San Francesco, Pescia, Italy, Tempera on wood, approx. 5 x 3 x 6.

13 Comparison: Byzantine. Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and attendants, mosaic from San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, ca Comparison: Byzantine. Christ as Pantokrator, dome mosaic in the Church of the Dormition, Daphni, Greece, ca BONAVENTURA BERLINGHIERI, panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece, 1235.

14 Tempera: An aqueous (water) medium with the durability of oil. Most famous emulsion is egg yolk. Advantages: Retains its brilliance and clarity. Dries quickly (also disadvantage as colors cannot be blended easily) Form can be built up. BONAVENTURA BERLINGHIERI, panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece, Tempera on wood, 5 x3

15 In the lower part are four biblical figures: the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah under lateral arches, Abraham and King David under the chair of the throne. Cimabue, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Angels and Prophets, ca Tempera and gold leaf on wood, 12' 7" x 7' 4". Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

16 Comparison: Berlinghieri, panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece,, Cimabue, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Angels and Prophets, ca Comparison: Byzantine. Virgin and Child between Saints Theodore and George 6-7th c. Encaustic on Wood

17 Cimabue, Madonna and Child Enthroned, ca , Tempera on wood Comparison: Byzantine. Virgin and Child Enthrone. Apse mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Constantinople, 867 Comparison: Byzantine. Andrey Rublyov, Old Testament Trinity, 1410, Tempera on wood, Byzantine style

18 The Virgin Pointing the Way to Jesus as the path to salvation. Cimabue, Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets, Detail

19 Class Assignment 1: Influence of Byzantine Painting on Italian Painting In what ways the Italo-Byzantine painting is similar to Byzantine painting? Discuss themes, proportions, colors, level of naturalism, mass and space, motion, arrangement/composition etc.

20 From Gothic to Renaissance: Italian Art in the 14 th c.

21 Italy Around 1400 In the 14 th century, Italy consisted of numerous independent city states: 1.Republics - Venice, Florence, Sienna (oligarchies governed by executive bodies, advisory councils, and special commissions) Sources of wealth: Maritime trade Banking Manufacture of arms or textile 2.The Papal states 3.Kingdom of Naples 4.Duchies of Milan, Moderna, Ferrara

22 Major events and developments in the 14 th century: Artisan guilds (12 th -16 th c.) became prominent. The creation of Italian vernacular literature. The Black Death Avignon Papacy Popes rule from Avignon not from Roma ( ) and Western Schism ( ) - two popes one in France and one in Italy.

23 Giotto (di Bondone) Italian painter and designer. He decorated chapels and churches in Assisi, Rome, Padua, Florence, and Naples with frescoes and panel paintings. He achieved great fame in his lifetime, breaking with Italo-Byzantine style and introducing new ideals of naturalism, three-dimensional space, and three-dimensional form. A possible self portrait of Giotto from the Peruzzi Chapel Statue of Giotto, outside the Uffizi

24 The chapel was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni, whose family fortune was made through the (sinful) practice of usury. 38 framed scenes depicting the life of the Virgin and of Jesus. Interior of the Arena Chapel (Cappella Scrovegni), Padua, Italy,

25 Giotto Di Bondone, Interior of the Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, Fresco Painting: Method of wall painting in which water-based pigments are applied to wet, freshly laid lime plaster.

26 St. John the Evangalist Giotto Di Bondone, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

27 Comparison: Byzantine fresco. Lamentation over the Dead Christ, Saint Pantaleimon, Nerezi, Macedonia, Giotto Di Bondone, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

28 Comparison: PIETRO CAVALLINI, Seated Apostles, detail of the Last Judgment, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome, Italy, ca Fresco. GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

29 Foreshortening: is a method of rendering a specific object or figure in depth as some parts project forward into the viewer's face, or recede in space. The representation of forms on two dimensional surface by shortening the length in such a way that the long axis appears to project toward or recede away from the viewer as they actually look shorter, hence, foreshortened.

30 Comparison: PHILOXENOS OF ERETRIA, Battle of Issus, ca. 310 BCE. Roman copy, Pompeii, Italy, 2-1 st c. BCE. Tessera mosaic, approx X Museo Nazionale, Naples. GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

31 Comparison: Italo-Byzantine. BONAVENTURA BERLINGHIERI, panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece, GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco

32 Modeling (also called shading ): Simulating the effects of light and shadow in order to portray optically convincing masses. The drapery is no longer rendered in the cartoonish or awkward manner of earlier paintings and the light source seems consistent across the entire picture plane.

33 Comparison: Roman wall paintings from the House of the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy, ca CE. GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

34 GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Madonna Enthroned, ca Tempera on wood, 10 8 x 6 8. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. 34

35 Giotto Di Bondone, Virgin and Child Enthroned, Detail

36 Comparison: Berlinghieri, Panel from the Saint Francis Altarpiece, Comparison: Cimabue, Madonna and Child Enthroned, ca , Tempera on wood Giotto Di Bondone, Madonna Enthroned, ca Tempera on wood, 10 8 x 6 8.

37 Italian Humanism Was developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries as a response to the Medieval scholastic education Growing concern with the natural world, the individual, and humanity s worldly existence. Revived interest in classical cultures and attempt to restore the glorious past of Greece and Rome. Recovering of Greek and Roman texts that were previously lost or ignored. Interest in the liberal arts - grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history and moral philosophy. Promotes human values as distinct from religious values, mainly Roman civic virtues: self-sacrificing service to the state, participation in government, defense of state institutions. The reward for heroes of civic virtue (such as the authors Petrarch and Boccaccio) was fame and not a material reward.

38 Discussion Question 2: What spatial and illusionary devices were developed at that time? How are they related to humanism? NICOLA PISANO, The Annunciation and the Nativity, detail of Pisa baptistery pulpit, Pisa, Italy, Marble relief GIOTTO DI BONDONE, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4. 38

39 14 th Century Siena and Florence With the revival of urban life, merchants and craftsworkers demanded a greater say in political decisions. In the Italian city states wealthy merchants and rulers supported the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman texts.

40 Florence & Siena: Both republics Merchants & Bankers International Trade Patronized the arts

41 The International Gothic Style By the end of the 14th century, the fusion of Italian and Northern European art had led to the development of an International style that spread very widely across Western Europe. Its hallmark are elegant shapes, radiant color, flowing line, intricate ornamentation and weightless figures in golden, spaceless setting St. Ansanus St. Margaret White lilies = Virgin s purity Gabriel holds an olive branch, a symbol of peace Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi. Annunciation (altarpiece). Made for Sienna Cathedral Tempera and gold on wood. 10 x8 9. Galleria degli Uffizi. Florence

42 Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi. Annunciation Tempera and gold on wood. Virgin of Jeanne d Evreux, from the abbey church of Saint-Denis, France, Silver gilt and enamel

43 Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi. Annunciation Tempera and gold on wood. Giotto Di Bondone, Lamentation, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy, ca Fresco, 6 6 3/4 x 6 3/4.

44 4:10 Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Peaceful City, detail from Effects of Good Government in the City and in the Country, Sala della Pace, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, Italy, Fresco.

45 Allegorical figure of security. The scroll promises safety to all who lives under the rule of law and the gallows acts as a reminder to those who do not obey the rule of law. Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Peaceful Country, detail from Effects of Good Government in the City and in the Country, Sala della Pace, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, Italy, Fresco.

46 Gardenscape, Roman wall painting, from the Villa of Livia, Primaporta, Italy, ca BCE. Fresco, 6 7 high. Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Peaceful Country, detail from Effects of Good Government in the City and in the Country, Sala della Pace, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, Italy, Fresco.

47 The Republic of Florence Florence controlled the textile industry in Italy, and its gold florin was the standard coin of exchange everywhere in Europe.

48 Arnolfo di Cambio, Francesco Talenti, Andrea Orcagna and others. Florence Cathedral and Baptistery, Florence, Italy, plan 1294, begun construction 1296, redesigned 1357 and 1366, drum and dome

49 Baptistery of San Giovanni (Baptistery of St John), Florence, Italy, dedicated 1059 (Romanesque style).

50 Commissioned by the Arte di Calimala (Guild of Cloth Importers). 28 gilded reliefs set in quatrefoils. Each panel was casted separately. The reliefs in the doorcase were added by Lorenzo Ghiberti in 1452 Andrea Pisano, Life of John the Baptist, South doors, Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence, Italy, , gilded bronze.

51 Comparison: Amiens Cathedral, detail of quatrefoils under the jambs, south portal, High Gothic sculpture, 13th century, France Andrea Pisano, Life of John the Baptist, South doors, Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence, Italy, , detail Quatrefoils: four-lobed decorative frames that were commonly used in Gothic architecture. (When combined with square it is called Barbed quatrefoil )

52 Giotto di Bondone Baptism of Christ Fresco, Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua (after restoration) Andrea Pisano, Life of John the Baptist, Baptism of Christ. South doors, Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence, Italy, , gilded bronze.