Homework for Week 4&5

The Art and Artists of the Italian Renaissance 1400-1700

Next-- we dive into the Italian Rennaissance. It's impossible to know too much about this time because that time and place established: 

1. what art history is
2. the definitions of art, artists, modernism, and illusionism  that we rely on today,
3. classical compositional forms, which define the ways people study in conservatories,
4. the foundations of how we look at and talk about painting, sculpture, and architecture, 
5. a set of works and ideas that govern many people's definition of excellence today, and more. 

There are three introductory essays that will set up our discussion of Renaissance Art in Italy on Sept. 10, 14, and 17. So you have a lot of reading for the 10th but very little for the 14th and 17th. 

You might consider reading straight through them for the 10th, then go back to skim aspects parts you want to remember in preparation for the 14th and 17th. 

A Primer for Italian Renaissance Art

Art of the Italian Renaissance Republics

Art of the Italian Renaissance Sovereign States

Then, I assign each of you two key works to study in preparation to share your learning about them on the 14th and 17th.  Please be ready with those on the 14th.  If Smarthistory links take you to a video, note that there are dropdown menus at the bottom of the post that offers a transcript, artwork facts, and lots of photos. You can choose to look for the works in museum sites, books in our library, art historical materials online, and more-- in other words you don't have to use the sites I suggest.  I will insert links for everyone later this weekend, but you're welcome to just go ahead and search on your own if you're ready to embark. 

Betsy: Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel frescos Annunciation and Lamentation; Michelangelo, Sisting Chapel Ceiling

Aidan Ghiberti, Gates of Paradise,  (Aidan you just get one work because it has so many elements to consider it should count as several! (web gallery of art- alternative reading) 

Sam Raphael, School of Athens and here& Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter: (web gallery of art- alternative reading)

Bella Botticelli, Birth of Venus  or here & Titian, Venus of Urbino or here

Mercy, Leonardo, Madonna of the Rocks  or here & Michelangelo, Pieta or here

Akarsh Donatello, David  or here & Michelangelo, David  or here

Kaitlin  Raphael, Galatea  or here & Raphael, portraits of pope leo x or here and pope julius II or here