Author: Amani Tran (Page 3 of 3)

This class continued the lesson on art in Italy. We looked at more examples of Italian Art showcasing different styles of painting. Climabue’s painting is a more abstract as details of highlights and shadows are replaced with stylized designs. Giotto paints in a more realistic style utilizing perspective. One example of his work is the inside of the Scrovegni chapel. Here he depicts emotion through the hunched figures and the angles and disciples’ expressions. The slanting landmass creates an unbalanced and tense composition.

Next, we moved onto art in northern Europe where realism was more prevalent. Illuminated manuscripts were common items of prestige as shown by the duke of Berry, John. These books were illustrated in rising perspective. Regular perspective was ignored by increasing the size of things in the background to include more detail. Walls of houses would be removed to display what’s behind them. I think that this way of depicting a scene adds to the scenes where there is no overwhelming focal point this detail could draw away from.

This past Wednesday we went over the factors which would influence Italian Artwork, as well as the fact that some of the history is skewed due to the bias of the victors who tell the history. Italy has a wide distribution of trade routes during this time period bringing ideas and money into Italy. Some of this is put into and helps develop the arts, especially in the cities Florence and Siena.

Bell towers are placed around the city center signifying local pride. Piazzas are city squares which include important buildings such as churches and the town hall as well as hosts events such as executions.

Within churches there are a number of significant artistic elements. Pulpits, which draw inspiration from greek and gothic art, include elements such as corinthian capitals and trefoils. The statues on these are depicted in controposto. Alter pieces are important as it is the setting for transubstantiation. One example is the alter piece of St Francis who was significant due to how late he was canonized and being one of the first to write in latin.