Renaissance and Baroque Styles

       Art has seen introduced the world to many styles from traditional garments to regional artwork.

Two styles that made an impact were the Renaissance and Baroque styles. 

The renaissance period ran from 1300 to the 1700s. The word renaissance means ‘’  rebirth. ’’ In this time a lot of artists were entrapeneurs ranging from philosophical works to architect and human anatomy. Some famous renaissance artists consisted of Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli and many many more.

  During the renaissance Italian architects, sculptors and painters sought to integrate christian spiritual traditions with the rational normality of physical life in an earthly space by studying light and anatomy while applying geometry to their art. Through the use of linear perspective they applied geometry to the logical construction of implied space creating depth and three dimensional visuals.

These studies and techniques led to inspire and help the growth of science. 

One amazing renaissance artwork named The Tame Magpie by Alessandro Magnasco completed around 1707-8.

This painting really portrays the depth of space with receding scenery. The artists made sure that the figures in the front were large and appeared close while the figures in the back get smaller and smaller as it recedes giving the viewer a sense that the image is not flat. Another detail is that the colors seems to be stronger and bolder in the front while the background colors seem to be fading away making it seem distant and unclear.

The Baroque period was estimated to have occurred from 1600 to 1770. The Baroque were inspired by the renaissance period. Using the techniques learned and adding more drama, emotions and energy. They didn’t rely so much on geometry and harmony and balance of the figures in their art but instead they focused more on lighting, shadows and use of space. Baroque artwork is famous for their uses of curves and counter curves. The artists would use directed light and strong contrasts to guide the viewers attention and intensify the art. Naturally giving it a sense of realism. 

A very intense baroque artwork I have seen is an oil on canvas titled, ‘’ The Denial of Saint Peter ‘’ by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. It was made in the year 1610. Caravaggio was an Italian painter.

The painting depicts Peter denying Jesus after his arrest. This is a perfect example of baroque style from the lighting to emotion on the subjects faces. The light is focused on key body parts which detail the facial expression and sentiment. You can see the wrinkles of stress in Peters forehead and the look of uncertainty in the woman face staring at the guard. It gives the viewer the feeling that they are witnessing an argument and worry from Peters end. 

       These great periods have inspired many works and it is truly a blessing to have these works and teachings for the knowledge and insight they share!

Design Principles

                                       I feel an artist unifies his artwork by sometimes forming patterns of repetition. Sometimes the artist might use complimentary color. The illusion of unity can also be achieved by overlapping images over multiple images. In this work by Anatoly Krynsky named Masks he uses a mask as a symbol of unity. There are several masks but all of the masks have similar qualities as to colors and proportions. The masks are drawn as distorted therefore giving the illusion of flow. He blends the masks with the background and breaks them into pieces which is all connected as if you were connecting a puzzle. 

Asymmetrical balance is when both sides are not the same but yet the way it is arranged so that each side has equal amount. Not outweighing one another. In this piece I feel the artist balanced it by putting all the bigger darker boxes in the left hand while still gradually fading them out. The artist never went passed the half way point and divided the canvas evenly in moderation. I feel as much art that was clustered in the left hand had to be balanced by empty space. Less is better in this case to parallel the heavy tone on the other side.

                                                           

                    Scale can change the meaning of a picture based on perception. Depending on the size of the image or subject we then determine its positioning and relation to its surrounding. In this picture it would seem like a ordinary cigarette if the artist were to have never dded the small figurines that seem to be observing. The author turns this image into an exhibition. Turning the cigarette into a work of art being awed by pedestrians as if sightseeing.

Assignment 1 : Egypt vs Greece

Both Egyptians and Greeks are fascinated by art. Their cultures are rich with paintings, sculptures as well as their cities architecture. The Egyptians influenced the Greeks artistic style from their designs to their very own concepts.
   Some examples can be seen in their formations of buildings, shrines, temples and alters. The Egyptians built pyramids, complex structures with the base of a triangle.

These structures weren't built off instinct. They are complex for a reason. Each measurement had to be precisely calculated. It was all based on geometric notions. This concept highly inspired Greeks. They later went on to build great temples and coliseums. 

The greeks buildings were all built in a very methodical order. Being very careful and making sure everything was placed accordingly so they won't disrupt the balance. They built their structures so well and strong that still to this day, they exist.

They had three patterns which consisted of the Corinthian, the Ionic and the Doric.

 Egyptians also carved sculptures of their pharaohs and gods while the Greeks carved sculptures of their gods as well but there weren't limited to only gods. Greeks were fascinated with details and capturing emotion while the Egyptians mostly practiced blank stares. They were fascinated with the idea that they could represent themselves as the Gods and Goddesses they idolized. They were very respectful and calculated.

This is an example of an Egyptian god named Seth. He is sculpted in a standing pose with an aardvark like face and no emotion. That is why since he represents the God of chaos and destruction of harmony. It is very dark and true to its nature. Very occult like art.

This is an greek carving of an average man throwing a discus. The greeks reflected more on the average person and honored them as much as they acknowledged them through art. Very fine sculpting which focused greatly on detail through building tones. I feel the sculptor was trying to capture the motion in this body. From the models stance to the details in his muscles as he rotates you can see the muscles building up and contracting giving it a sense of realism.. I think There is a lot of similarities in both cultures and there art is a representation of that!http://joan-hua.blogspot.com/2015/03/week-of-march-6-welcome.html#comment-form

Hello I am Eric and this is my introduction. I hope to keep you coming back entertained.