Homework: Assignment #4

Renaissance Art

At the end of the middle ages came the Renaissance, a period where a shift occurred as religious power was challenged by critical thinking. Lost knowledge was discovered and yearned, the classical ideals of the past begin to resurface. The focus in art changed from the flat and emotionless, to the return of one point perspective and sensuality.

Mars and Venus United by Love

Here we see an example of Renaissance art by Paolo Veronese. He was an Italian painter who lived in Venice. Venus and Cupid are both naked, representing the sensuality of the Renaissance. The painting serves as a allegory and celebrates love and nurturing. In the painting Cupid binds Mars to Venus with a love knot. Mar's horse, a symbol of war is being restrained in the background, while milk a symbol of nurturing, flows from Venus's breast.

Baroque Art

After the Renaissance period came the Baroque period. Artists in the Baroque period used the same techniques in the Renaissance period. Art moved from the divine and religious to being more dramatic and splendor with motion and color. Baroque art gives more of a feel of great energy and feeling.

 Wolf and Fox Hunt

This is an example of early Baroque art by Peter Paul Rubens. One of the first things an observer will notice is the sheer scale of this painting. It is a very large canvas measuring ninety six inches by one hundred forty eight inches. This painting appears to have lots of motion between the animals and hunters. The gesture of the hunters and is animals is much more dramatic. As well as the observer will notice there is no mention of the divine.