Dilchand's Spot: HUA Assignment 3

Renaissance and Baroque

Humanism was a major factor which assisted in the artwork of the Renaissance time period. Humanism focused on the importance of responsibility, knowledge and education of the human being. Because of the idea of humanism there was such a strong, positive light on the abilities and potentials of human beings. These new perspectives brought forth paintings that valued the rich cultures and beliefs of the Renaissance era.

Naturalism which can be seen in several paintings of Renaissance artwork, uses gestures and atmospheric and linear perspectives to give an illusion of depth of space, three-dimensional reality and postures. This helps to express the stories and complexities of a painting through the formal arrangements that can be seen. Architectural elements were also used in some Renaissance paintings, which were rediscovered during the Renaissance time period.

Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints

Artist: Raphael (From Urbino, Italy)

Artwork Year: 1504

In Raphael's painting Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, Raphael is able to get the viewer to focus on the relationship between Madonna and the Christ Child. Another important relationship that Raphael also centralizes the viewer on is between the Christ Child and St. John the Baptist. The three figures and their corresponding relationship dominate the artwork, however, Raphael does not exclude the significance of the other figures in the painting. He also infuses the painting with light from the landscape behind the figures, which also incorporates atmospheric and linear perspectives.

There are several details contained within the painting which relates it to the context of Italia Renaissance. The architectural elements that surround the painting (the frame) and the main panel all derived from classical architectural styles from the Renaissance time period.

The artists of the Baroque time period incorporated the techniques of the Renaissance era, and painted the art in such a way that it gave the image of drama and emotion. These expressions, drama, thoughts, emotions and stories can be told through the intricate positions of the human physique. Most of the Baroque art expresses movement and passion, with each complexity shown by dissimilar scales, colors, shading and lighting.

Baroque artwork is based around religion and the reality and dimensions of the real world. The reality of emotion and intensity can be seen in Baroque artwork; the difference in color and level of detail (unlike the Renaissance) and dramatic emotions and movements within and on the people in the paintings, really made Baroque artwork very unique. The artists of the Baroque time period were able to manipulate life situations and express them in their artwork through human figures, facial expressions, color and drama.

Wolf and Fox Hunt

Artist: Peter Paul Rubens (From Siegen, Germany)

Artwork Year: 1616

In Peter Paul Rubens' painting Wolf and Fox Hunt, Rubens' tells a dramatic and intense story. If the picture is to be broken down into parts by the viewer's eyes, there are several different actions being performed during this hunt. The vicious battle and violence occurring during this hunt can be more easily seen if one focused on different parts of the painting. By separating the entire painting into various parts, there is a better understanding on the entire painting.

Interestingly, this painting does not represent the reality of hunting techniques. Foxes and wolves are never hunted together or at the same time, and one would not expect to find both foxes and wolves working together to hunt. Based on this analysis, Rubens is expressing a large, complex, action scene of an intense, dramatic event. This entire painting focus on the characteristics of Baroque artwork. It shows intensity, emotion and drama.

Attempted Sketches of Artwork