History of Art

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the history of High Renaissance art work. The paper examines several pieces of art by artists of the period, such as Raphael, Da Vinci and Michelangelo. The paper explores the popular theme of Madonnas that has come to specifically refer to work that depicts the Virgin Mother Mary. The paper explains that Biblical subjects, such as the Madonna, were very important to Renaissance painters and other artists. The paper contends that other subjects of importance were the Holy Family and the Passion of the Christ. The paper illustrates the use of these themes in the art work discussed.

From the Paper:

"During his Florentine years, Raphael painted many numbers of Madonnas. Leonardo did at least forty variations on the theme of the Virgin mother with her child. In his paintings, the Madonna is seen as both extremely human and motherly, but also very majestic. He additionally utilized the concept of Sprezzatura, which is the idea that a person's expression reflects their inner quality. Leonardo gave his Madonnas a look that was very distant and spiritual, like it was completely separated from the material world. In 1506, he painted his Madonna of the Meadow, which was strongly inspired by the style of Leonardo, specifically in the pyramidal structure of the painting. The setting of this painting, as well as the other Florentine Madonnas, is serene and beautiful, with rolling hills and a beautiful sky. The landscape is actually an idealized Tuscan image. John the Baptist as a child is the third figure which created the pyramid."

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