Visual Arts Paper1

Visual Arts Paper

Erick Lamb

University of Phoenix

4/7/2013

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The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th

century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe.

The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historic era, but since the changes of the

Renaissance were not uniform across Europe, this is a general use of the term. As a cultural

movement, it encompassed a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development

of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform. Traditionally,

this intellectual transformation has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between

the Middle Ages and the Modern era. Although the Renaissance saw revolutions in many

intellectual pursuits, as well as social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its

artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and

Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man". 

Many people believe that art is generated from feeling of artists, and that pure feeling

appear in their art pieces. Different artists believe painting is one of the most powerful tools to

facilitate communication with the world around them. Colors and lines easily help them to create

new art pieces and transfer their thoughts and feelings to the viewer. Different pieces of art,

bring new spices to life and introduce a new window to the way one can look at the world. Art

works differ from each other as they represent different feelings and mindsets of their artists. The

Mona Lisa is a famous painting, which was created by Leonardo Da Vinci. The artist’s feelings

are depicted in every part of this piece of art. For example, the Mona Lisa reflect Leonardo’s

thoughts and ideas during his period of life (Brown, 1998).

While most artworks of the Renaissance era depict biblical scenes, the Mona Lisa is one

of the first paintings that are distinguishable from other artworks of this period, because, it shows

one of the first half-body portrait painting and it also depicts the importance of nature in the

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Resonance era. According to the “Renaissance Art” article, the goal of most of the Renaissance

artists was to show the importance of people’s daily tasks and nature and the content was not

limited to religion. Also figures were lifelike and three-dimensional, it reflects an increase

knowledge in human anatomy during this period (Brown, 1998). Many of the Renaissance

characteristics that are used in the Renaissance art are noticeable by looking at the Mona Lisa

painting. For example, Mona Lisa’s face is mysterious but it is full of emotion.  It is a realistic

and three-dimensional portrait. The landscape on the background reflects a great picture of

nature.  Leonardo’s artworks usually reflect the world around him in his era. In the Mona Lisa

painting, the dress and its color represents women's wearing style in the Renaissance period.

Leonardo used “Sfumato” technique or Leonardo smoke in his artworks. Matte colors used in the

Mona Lisa have a trace of this method in the Renaissance era. In the Renaissance era, wealthy

people usually hired an artist to create their portrait (Brown, 1998). The Mona Lisa is a portrait

of Mona Lisa Gioconda also known as “Lisa Gherardin the wife of a wealthy renaissance

Florentine merchant, Franceso del Giocondo”. The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous art

pieces of the Renaissance era and it captivates viewers’ attention at the first glance.

Michelangelo was yet another great artist in the Renaissance Era. His reputation as a

sculptor was established when he was commissioned to sculpt the Hebrew King David, just as

Donatello had. Unlike Donatello’s David, Michelangelo’s was created with far more skill, as was

Bernini’s (Reifsynder, 2004). However, since Michelangelo’s block of marble was full of

cracks, he had to be extra careful and bring out all of his skills (Reifsynder, 2004). Michelangelo

also uses the artistic style of contrapposto, which is having the figure seemingly putting all of

their weight on one leg. Instead of Michelangelo’s David looking narcissistic like Donatello’s

statue after conquering his enemy. This version seems to have an enormous amount of pent up

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energy and looks as if he is about to move into action quickly (Reifsynder, 2004). Cast over his

shoulder is David's sling, and the stone is clutched in his right hand, his veins in chief

anticipation of the fight. Michelangelo's David depicts the ideal youth who has just reached

manhood and is capable of great physical and intellectual feats, which is part of the Classical

tradition (Reifsynder, 2004). Michelangelo's sculpture is closed in form, like Donatello's David.

All the elements move firmly around a central axis.

In conclusion, in the period of the Renaissance, we can realize that the painting is

harmony and balance in construction. The period represented expressive ideals in the depiction

of the human figure, the apex of the use of space, and a strong influence of classical art. In the

Renaissance, there are many accomplishments that do not really appear before such as: forms,

colors and proportion, light and shade effects.

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References

Brown, D. (1998). Leonardo da vinci. Yale University.

Reifsynder, J. M. (2004). Michelangelo's david. Giunti Editore.