MIDDLE AGES ART TO REALISM ART

Middle Ages
As the term denotes, it is the period between the decline of the Roman Empire and
the Renaissance. It was a period that is characterized by ignorance and darkness.
Another dominant characteristic of the period was that the church was the central
figure and authority of the period. Since the Church was the most important figure,
the most important products of the early Middle Ages would have to be copied of the
Christian scriptures. The printing press came later after the Middle Ages, so copies
of the scriptures were done by hand. These copies were also done with illustrations
and decorations which highlight the religious focus of the period. During this time,
great cathedrals were also built. These cathedrals can be categorized into two
periods: Romanesque (1050-1200), inspired by the old Roman empire; and Gothic
(1200-1500), which had a more northern flavor from the Goths-vulgar and barbarian.
Renaissance Art
During the Renaissance Period, artist valued the “individual” as a subject of arts. The
influence of humanism shifted the focus of some artworks during the Renaissance
Period to empower the “individual.” Most artwork emphasized naturalism, which was
also an influence of humanism since there was a great emphasis on the
proportionality of the human body. Most artist also added perspective of depth
wherein spaces were explored in different artworks. This technique provided a three-
dimensional perspective of most Renaissance painting. Renaissance artist also gave
importance to non-religious themes or subject. This was also brought by the
privatizations of the art during the Renaissance Period, however most artworks
remained religious in its focus and themes.
The Renaissance was a seminal period in art history from roughly 1300 to 1600
when so much was not only reborn (renaissance means rebirth) but indeed born.
Painting took on a radically new look, and innovations in this medium would
dominate the art form for centuries. Sculpture in three dimensions, harking to the
classical model of Greece and Rome, made a dramatic break from the medieval
styles that had preceded it. Architecture, printmaking, drawing—all these mediums
took off during the Renaissance. And art history was born with a text called The
Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. Artists, writers,
historians, and intellectuals saw themselves as modern. What was so new about
what they were doing? What is their lingering legacy? Renaissance artists copied the
art of Greece and Rome and were committed to a keen observation of nature. They
were driven by the desire to create the most realistic representations of the human
figure, devising methods of applying light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to suggest a
roundness of form. Efforts were made to create the illusion of three dimensional
space on a two dimensional surface. Laws of perspective (such as one-point linear
perspective) were devised and published for anyone to follow. The Renaissance
witnessed an interest in classical ideas and values (humanism), as well as subjects
(mythological, allegorical, historical). What followed was an increased emphasis on
the importance of reason and of rational inquiry in place of an unquestioning
acceptance of the theological answers to all questions. Individuality and human
achievement were championed, competition among artists and architects was
fostered, and fame was unabashedly sought. Salient Characteristics of Renaissance
Art • In sculpture: realism; classical balance between emotion/movement and
restraint/repose • In architecture: symmetry; adaptation of classical elements such as
the arch, dome, and columns, as well as characteristic motifs and embellishments •
In painting: naturalism (adherence to the actual appearance of things); idealism
(emphasis on perfection in proportion, appearance, and behavior); classicism
(symmetry, order, balance of emotion/movement and restraint/repose); humanism
(focus on human traits and the validity of human emotion and relationships, as seen
in mythological as well as religious subjects); spatial illusionism (implied three
dimensions on a two-dimensional surface achieved, for example, through linear
perspective, volumetric shapes, chiaroscuro); compositional structure consisting of a
central focus and overall symmetry with particular use of the triangle or pyramid as
an organizational device.
Salvator Mundi (Latin for 'Savior of the World') is a painting attributed in whole or in
part to the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1499–1510.
Long thought to be a copy of a lost original veiled with overpainting, it was
rediscovered, restored, and included in a major exhibition of Leonardo's work at the
National Gallery, London, in 2011–2012. Auction house Christie's stated just after
selling the work in 2017 that most leading scholars consider it to be an original work
by Leonardo, but this attribution has been disputed by other leading specialists,
some of whom propose that he only contributed certain elements; and others who
believe that the extensive damage prevents a definitive attribution.
The painting depicts Jesus Christ in an anachronistic blue Renaissance dress,
making the sign of the cross with his right hand, while holding a transparent, non-
refracting crystal orb in his left, signaling his role as Salvator Mundi and representing
the 'celestial sphere' of the heavens. Approximately thirty copies and variations of
the work by pupils and followers of Leonardo have been identified. Two preparatory
chalk and ink drawings of the drapery by Leonardo are held in the British Royal
Collection.
During the Renaissance Period, there was also a revival of Roman theatricals plays.
These plays were performed during special occasions at the courts of Italian princes.
The plays were done in such a way that showcased grand and lavish entertainment
for the audience. Aside from the song and dance numbers, they interested in
elaborate have greatly influenced their tradition of popular theatre.
Mannerism
Mannerism was a period in art history, which was a product of the
Renaissance Period. During the Renaissance, artist would observe nature and try
their best to emulate it based on their observations. As the Renaissance ended,
artist started directly copying subjects from existing works of art. Most artworks
during this period displayed distorted figures, two-dimensional spaces, discordant
hues and colors, and lack of defined focal point.
Baroque and the Rococo
The term “baroque” is derived from the Portuguese term Barocco which is translated
as “irregularly shaped pearl.” Which according to some historians was a response to
Protestantism. This period roughly spanned from 1600 to 1750. Although it was a
period following the Renaissance, it can be said that a lot of artists have developed
styles and techniques different from their Renaissance predecessors. Most artists
used colorful palettes and ornamentation in their works. This was a time when Italy in
particular, strengthened not only their religion but also other aspects like politics and
art. Expansion was the central theme of this period, which became very much
evident in the artworks produced during this time. Motion and space were taken into
consideration by artists like the use of dramatic lighting and the concept of time.
Aside from art, MUSIC also flourished during the Baroque Period. This is because
people believed that music could serve as powerful tool to communicate messages
that can evoke certain feelings among its listeners. Baroque music was able to
clearly distinguish loud from soft and solo from ensemble. Since the birthplace of this
period was in Rome, it did not come as a surprise that most composers come from
Italy. This include Vivaldi, Corelli, and Monteverdi. Eventually, the influence of
Baroque spread outside Italy and reached other parts of Europe. Other well-known
Baroque composers include Germany’s Bach and Handel. Since Baroque
composers, through their works, tried to evoke certain emotion from their audience,
they began to make more complex musical compositions and performances.
However, it can be noted that initially, this kind of music was limited only to power
institutions like the church and individuals like the patrons. Eventually, such
performances would be made accessible to the middle class and the masses.
Neoclassicism
There seems to be a debate among historians as to the beginnings of modern art.
There are accounts that would attribute for the emergence of this kind of art during
the French Revolution in 1789. However, other historians claim that it was the year
1863 when there was an emergence of modern painting exhibitions.
Neoclassicism was a movement in Europe that transpired during the late eighteenth
and early nineteenth centuries. It was the dominant art movement that time which
basically aimed to revive and rekindle the influences of Greek and Roman into art
and architecture. The ancient Greeks and Europeans had placed emphasis on
human reason and keeping society in order. These very principle were also the
dominant principles during the Enlightenment Period. Some historians would also
say that this movement was a reaction to the artworks produced during the Baroque
say that movement was a reaction to the artworks produced during the Baroque
Period. There was a call to veer away from such extravagance in terms of style and
form of the Baroque Period.
Romanticism
Romanticism, as an art movement, used the central themes of Neoclassicist
artworks as a springboard. Romanticists have highlighted heroic elements into their
work. During the Age of Revolutions, there has been a tremendous focus on patriotic
and nationalistic movements. One of the major revolutions in history would be the
French Revolution, such revolutionary movements became the focal point of most
Romantic works.
The major and central themes of Romanticism movement include the emphasis on
the goodness of mankind. Most works also promoted justice, equality, and social
order. Artists also emphasized emotions and feelings of man, which was a deviation
from the humanist principle of rationalism.
Realism
Realism as style of work focuses on the accuracy of details that depicts and
somehow mirrors reality. There is little room for imagination in this movement since
emphasis is placed in observable traits that can concretize through artworks realism
was heavily influenced by Hellenistic Greek culture since most artworks during
period placed emphasis on the human body.
Realism as modern movement in art veered away from traditional forms of art. In a
way, it revolutionized themes and techniques in paintings. In addition, this movement
also expanded and widened existing notions of what can be considered as art. Since
artists worked within the context of revolutions and social changes, artistic works
began to depict real-life events. Idealistic concepts and images were replaced by
real manifestations of society. There is a move to combine both art and life in artistic
works since the modern world were suitable for subjects of art. This movement also
re-examined existing belief systems and traditions.