Renaissance time period, 14 to the
16th century, consider as the golden age of art and science. In other words, it
was the first step to the modern age. The word Renaissance means “rebirth” or
“reawakening.” It started as a cultural moment in Italy then spread around the
world. Their new philosophy based on humanism, inventions, new techniques, and
rediscovering of old age’s literature and artwork helped to create brilliant
artworks. Linear perspective, depth of space, correct proportion and scale, and
brilliant colors are the characteristics of renaissance period. After the
Renaissance period, the Baroque period began with the influence of Renaissance
artists. The Baroque period which ran from about 1600 to about 1700 has more
variety of styles than Renaissance period. Baroque arts recognize for its
uniqueness state of extreme drama and emotions. High contrast, intense light
and dark are the popular characteristic of baroque art.
This
painting, “The Birth of the Virgin,” by Fra Carnevale is painted in 1467.
Carnevale used Tempera, oil and wood to make this beautiful painting. This painting
is a one part of an original altarpiece of the church of Santa Maria della
Bella at Urbino; and the companion part of this painting, “Presentation of the
Virgin,” is in the museum of fine art, Boston. The dimension, 57 x 37 7/8 in.
of this painting is a religion based art. The artist recreates the birth of the
virgin, Madonna, with his own style. Canevale place the main subject matter,
the virgin and the newborn baby, in the focal center of the painting. St. Anne,
the mother of the child, lying on the bed nude partially dressed, surrounding
four women. It’s seem that mother is ready for visitation. The infant baby is
standing on the washbasin while midwives were bathing her. The foreground is occupied by idealized women
who were caught in the action. One women lead her child by her hand and two
other women greeting each other by hand shake or a handclap. The slow, gentle
moments of these figures creates a unified and realistic balance to the whole
scene. Background and the middle ground
on the left of the painting have various human and an animal figure with market
place landscape indicates it is a middle of a regular day. Human and animal
figures were painted in a correct scale and proportion. Details of clothing and
jewelries are very delicate. The huge, smooth gray stoned architectural
structure is decorated with geometric patterns and Roman/Greek relief
sculpture. Carnevale has executed the one point linear perspective brilliantly
in this painting. However, open entry way and church interior caused a bit of
puzzled perspective. He also used overlapping plane to show the depth of space.
The artist used deep blue sky to balance the whole painting with the huge gray
colored building. Shadows of the human
figures and architectural structures suggested that the light source is in the
left to the center. Overall this panting has a soft but sharp look with a
complex setting of composition.
This is a painting by George de la
Tour called “Penitent Magdalene.” This beautiful 52 1/2 x 40 1/4 in size
painting created around the year 1640 with oil on canvas. This is a one version
of the same subject done by George de la tour, and also known as the “Magdalen
with Two Flames.” Subject of this painting is Mary Magdalene; a biblical figure
who witness crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. La Tour’s well
executed chiaroscuro technique brings dramatic emotional and realistic look to
the painting. He also used symbolism to represent the subject and her story.
The skull on her lap represents the mortality. Her spiritual enlightenment is
shown by the candle. Mirror represents the vanity. Magdalene’s clothes, pearl
earrings, jewelries and frame of the mirror indicates that she’s a women of
means. Mary Magdalene sits by the small desk facing the mirror, but gazing far
beyond it. Her posture shows that she’s in a chain of deep thoughts. Viewer
cannot clearly see her face to understand the expressions and mood. Which is
leaving the viewer to imagine Mart Magdalene’s expression and feelings. Primary
light source, the candle, casts the geometrically correct shadows on background
and foreground. One can almost see the movement of the candle light and can
feel the texture of the fabric, the metal mirror frame, the skull and her
jewelry. His composition skills shown by this natural and photo like big
painting. This painting has the most of baroque style characteristics such as
high contrast, intense light and shadow, and, extreme emotions.
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