Week 1
The Early and High Renaissance Art
During Week 1, we will look at the Early and High Renaissance art. Early Renaissance art developed in Northern Europe and featured Christian symbols and an unbelievable attention to detail resulting in a “hair by hair” realism. The High Renaissance was focused in Italy and featured two of the most well-known artists in history: Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. The Renaissance was a rebirth of the Classic Period (Greek and Roman art) and also saw artists begin to sign their works. The lavish, elaborate, and sometimes monumental works were the result of the Catholic Church and wealthy patrons pouring money into art and architecture.
Weekly Objectives
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Examine works of art.
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Investigate the meanings of the artworks encompassed by this period.
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Distinguish one style from another and trace the stylistic development.
Activities
Readings
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Adams: Art Across Time
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Chapter 13: The Early Renaissance
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Chapter 14: The High Renaissance in Italy
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Class Activities
Begin work on Midterm paper.
Before posting on the discussion regarding restoration, visit the following websites:
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Sistine Chapel Restoration Controversy published by Asia-Pacific Economics Blog.
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After a Much-Debated Cleaning, A Richly Hued Sistine Emerges, an art review published by The New York Times.
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The Day We Almost Lost Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ Forever! by Robert Horvat, published by If It happened Yesterday, It’s History.
Activities
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Introduction Discussion
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Discussion 1
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Quiz 1
Video Lecture: Leonardo and Michelangelo
Select the play icon, or use the Enter key to watch the video.
A transcript of What Makes a Masterpiece video is available.
Review Sheet: The Early Renaissance
Chapter 13
Be familiar with these artists, works, or concepts:
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Renaissance
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Humanism
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Medici Family
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Competition for the Florence Baptistery Doors
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Vasari’s Lives
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Dome and Florence Cathedral
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Linear Perspective
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Atmospheric Perspective
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Donatello
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Media: Oil Painting
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Foreshortening
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Merode Altarpiece
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Ghent Altarpiece
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Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait
Please note: This is not a comprehensive list of what will be covered on the quiz; it merely highlights the most significant works and concepts in the chapter.
Review Sheet: The High Renaissance in Italy
Chapter 14
Be familiar with these artists, works, or concepts:
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Renaissance
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Julius II
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St. Peter’s
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Leonardo da Vinci and his Last Supper and Mona Lisa
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Michelangelo and his Pieta, David, Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel Ceiling & Restoration Controversy
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Raphael and his School of Athens
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Titian
Please note: This is not a comprehensive list of what will be covered on the quiz; it merely highlights the most significant works and concepts in the chapter.
Timeline for the Early and High Renaissance Art
Let's take a quick recap of the Early and High Renaissance art.
Select each time period to learn more about the events.
1400 - 1420
1420 - 1440
1440 - 1460
1460 - 1480
1480 - 1500
1500 - 1520
You can also download a Word version of Timeline for the Early and High Renaissance Art.
Optional Learning Resources
Select the bottom right corner of the album, and drag towards the left, like you would turn pages of a book.
Optional Learning Resources Week One
View the Spotlight Video on Michelangelo's Moses.
Select the link and complete the jigsaw puzzle of Michelangelo's Pieta.
View the video of Michelangelo Code.
View the podcast on Early Renaissance Art – The Sistine Ceiling
Artists' Corner
- Since the most significant artistic advancement during the Renaissance was the mastery of linear perspective, follow this step by step illustration of rendering a building in two point perspective.
- And then try it yourself at Draw Island.
You can also download a Word version of Optional Learning Resources Week One.