renaissance 3 Flashcards
(72 cards)
Who was Sandro Botticelli?
A Florentine master employed by the Medici family, known for reflecting humanist interest in Greco-Roman art, literature, and mythology.
His work is often interpreted through Neo-Platonism.
What does ‘studia humanitatis’ refer to?
A body of learning focused on the study and imitation of classical culture from ancient Rome and Greece.
It was a central concept of humanism advocating for cultural rebirth after the Middle Ages.
What was the significance of the invention of moveable metal type?
Facilitated the printing and wide distribution of books, expanding the audience for humanist writings.
Dante’s Divine Comedia was among the first books printed in Italy.
What themes did humanism foster in art?
Belief in individual potential, personal achievement, and civic responsibility.
This appealed to high-status individuals and art patrons.
What was the earliest important artistic commission in 15th-century Florence?
A competition for the bronze baptistery doors sponsored by the city’s guild of wool merchants.
This occurred during a siege by Milanese forces.
What did the jurors of the 1401 competition require from artists?
Each entrant had to submit a relief panel depicting the sacrifice of Isaac.
This biblical episode was interpreted as a prefiguration of Jesus’ crucifixion.
How did Brunelleschi’s and Ghiberti’s styles differ in the competition?
Brunelleschi’s style emphasized violent movement and high emotion, while Ghiberti’s style was characterized by grace and smoothness.
Ghiberti’s depiction included classical influences and spatial illusion.
What is atmospheric perspective?
A technique where distant objects appear blurrier and less detailed, enhancing the illusion of depth in art.
It is also referred to as aerial perspective.
What is significant about Donatello’s Feast of Herod?
It demonstrates Donatello’s mastery of perspective in relief sculpture, marking the introduction of rationalized perspective in Renaissance art.
This work includes arched courtyards in Herod’s palace.
What are the Gates of Paradise?
Ghiberti’s east doors for Florence’s baptistery, featuring ten panels depicting Old Testament episodes using atmospheric perspective.
Michelangelo praised them as suitable for the gates of Paradise.
What does Donatello’s David represent?
The first Renaissance sculptor to portray the nude male figure in statuary, reflecting classical ideals.
It was cast for display in the Medici palace courtyard.
What distinguishes Verrocchio’s David from Donatello’s?
Verrocchio’s David features narrative realism and portrays a sturdy youth, contrasting with the quiet classicism of Donatello’s David.
Verrocchio’s work illustrates the psychology of brash young men.
What is the significance of the Tomb of Leonardo Bruni?
It reflects the humanist emphasis on individual achievement and established the wall tomb as a major Renaissance sculptural form.
It blends classical and Christian motifs.
What is the Gattamelata statue known for?
It is the first post-antique equestrian statue rivaling Roman imperial portraits, embodying the Renaissance ideal of a powerful individual.
The horse’s hoof on an orb symbolizes world domination.
What key feature does Masaccio’s Holy Trinity exhibit?
It is the first major 15th-century application of mathematical perspective in painting.
The vanishing point is at the foot of the cross, creating an illusion of depth.
What is Fra Angelico’s Annunciation known for?
Its simplicity and spiritual clarity, reflecting devotional art over humanist ideals.
It was commissioned by Dominican monks for contemplation.
What characterizes Andrea del Castagno’s Last Supper?
It features perspective experiments and dramatic narrative, designed for a convent setting.
Judas is depicted separately, emphasizing his role in the narrative.
True or False: Humanism in the Renaissance was solely focused on religious themes.
False.
Humanism also emphasized classical culture, individual achievement, and civic responsibility.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a competition held in Florence for the bronze baptistery doors.
1401
Who painted the Battle of San Romano?
Paolo Uccello
A rare example of a history painting known for its interest in perspective.
What is Fra Filippo Lippi known for?
Emphasis on line and movement in his works
His works, like ‘Madonna and Child with Angels’, address religious themes with worldly grace.
What notable work did Piero della Francesca create?
Resurrection
Known for his interest in perspective and mathematical proportions.
What is a key feature of Domenico Ghirlandaio’s frescoes?
Depiction of contemporary elite family members in religious scenes
Contributed to the secularization of art.
Who commissioned Botticelli’s Primavera?
Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de Medici
Possibly created for Lorenzo’s wedding to Semiramide d’Appiani in May 1482.
