Late Renaissance Art Mid Term Essay
Minimum 1000 words (4 pages double-spaced)
Choose ONE of the options below.
A. Defining the High Renaissance Aesthetic: Style and Content
Choose to write about ONE of the big three: either Leonardo, Raphael, or Michelangelo.
1. Begin with a definition of “High “Renaissance style as shown by the achievements of the artist you are examining. This should be a description of the style components as well as the humanist values associated with this term.
2. Next do a detailed analysis of three artworks or projects (finished or unfinished) by your chosen artist. Point out what is ground-breaking or innovative about each. Stick to works created between the years 1490 and 1520. Choose among works illustrated IN CHAPTERS 11 TO 13 OF THE Slide shows and the TEXTBOOK. Identify each work, with the title and dates of execution.
3. You may want to consider aspects of their creative process –methods of preparation and planning (drawings, models) handling of media (architecture, oil painting, fresco, stone carving, etc.), their interpretation of myth, biblical stories, or portraits. Think about their interpretation of symbols and iconography, relationship with their clients, references to antiquity, body aesthetic, psychological power, gestures, expressions,
You can do internet research, but do not copy and paste. List any source references (websites, books, etc,) at the end of your paper. Keep in mind that I am looking for your own observations and judgements about what makes the artist so interesting.
B. Defining the Mannerist Aesthetic: Style and Content
1. First define the characteristics of Mannerist style, and the values associated with them. Explain why Michelangelo was a major role model for Mannerists. by pointing out the aspects of his style that they emulated or sought to go beyond. Examine the issues that motivated them to put the observation of nature on the back burner in favor of novelty.
2. Next, describe in detail three works of art by any of the artists associated with Mannerism. as presented in the slide lectures and the Textbook in Chapters 14 and 15. They include Parmagianino, Pontormo, Bronzino, Rosso Fiortomp.. and Giulio Romano,, among others. Identify each work, with the title and dates of execution.
3. You may want to consider aspects of their creative process –methods of preparation and planning — and their interpretation of myth, biblical stories, or portraits. Think about their interpretation of symbols and iconography, relationship with their clients, references to antiquity, body aesthetic and psychological power. Examine gestures, facial expressions. color choices, technical tricks, spatial and compositional complexity. and proportions.
You can do internet research, but do not copy and paste. List any source references (websites, books, etc) at the end of your paper. Keep in mind that I am looking for your own observations and judgements about what makes these artists so interesting.
