Renaissance+-+Group+1

Dennis, CeCe, Mason



The Creation of Adam. The works of Michelangelo vary from paintings to murals to sculptures **This intro does not focus on the assignment**. His costliest was the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. We **No personal pronouns!** will dwell specifically on the //Creation of Adam//, which is perhaps the most important part of the project. **Too informal** It is the 4th in a series of 9 center panels on the ceiling. It depicts, obviously, the creation of man, specifically Adam, the Biblical first man. In it, Michelangelo utilized many Renaissance techniques, the most notable being his trademark realism. There is also the unspoken drama that is seen in many of Michelangelo's works. The main focal point in the image is that of God's finger reaching towards Adam's, giving him life. Also, Adam is portrayed as a handsome figure, embodying the concept that he "was made in God's image". However, the painting is not only an example of Michelangelo's talent, but one of his Renaissance ideals. As has been said, the ideal Renaissance man has two main points: Being multitalented, mainly in the arts, and also, being religious, while still innovative. These two points are expressed to the fullest in Michelangelo's, //The Creation of Adam//, where The later is fulfilled by the mere fact that the painting depicts a Biblical drama, and the former by the fact that the painting shows a definite mastery of human anatomy, beauty, and dynamics. //The Creation of Adam//, as many of Michelangelo's works, shows the true epitome of the Renaissance ideals.

Resources: 1) "The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo." __The Creation of Adam.__ 2008. 1/13/10. http://www.thecreationofadam.com/index.php 2) "Michelangelo Buonarroti, The Creation of Adam." __Web Gallery of Art.__ unknown. 1/14/10. http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/m/michelan/3sistina/1genesis/6adam/06_3ce6.html

This painting was created by Leonardo Davinci somewhere between 1495 and 1498. The painting depicts the last meal Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles and disciples before his death. The painting contains many techniques that highlight popular themes **such as?** in the renaissance time period. **Your intro must describe the relationship between the painting and the Renaissance. This is not accomplished in your first three sentences. Perspective and Christian themes, muti-talented** The painting involves a very popular technique popular in the renaissance period called perspective. Perspective in paintings and drawings is when objects are drawn so they appear to be 3-demensional. Perspective was first seen in the 5th century B.C. in ancient Greece. In the painting perspective is shown in how the table were Jesus and the Apostles are having his last meal the table appears closer to the viewer than the background. This piece of artwork not only highlights the importance of the arts in the renaissance but also the interest in Greek culture through using the technique they created. Another aspect of the painting relating to the renaissance is the fact that it contains important figures in the Christian faith. Christianity was the main realigion in Europe during the renaissance and many painting and pieces of art including this one contain Important Christian figures or themes. Leonardo was definetly the appitamy of a "renaissance man" because not only did he create beautiful and realistic artwork it also contained multiple hidden messages and secret meaning that are still being discovered in his art today. This diplays not only his artistic skill but his intelligence and multitude or talents. An example of this in The Last Supper is how the plates and bread on the table have been recently discovered to be musical notes when analyzed by experts. As you probably know many of the theories about the hidden messages in this particular piece have been highlighted in fictional books like The Divinci Code.

 "History of Perspective". Museum of Science and Industry. 1/14/10 < http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/reverspective/history.html >.

"Catholic Encyclopedia". New Advent. 1/14/10 < http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14341a.htm >. **Incomplete Citation**




 * The Birth of Venus a very well known painting made in the renaissance age and was painted by Sandro Botticelli between the years of 1485-86. **What does it tell you about the renaissance? This is the point of the paragraph.** To paint this masterpiece an artist such as Sandro would have to completely melt away from reality for however long it took her to paint this picture. This picture is made to capture all of the beauty and perfection of the birth of the God Venus, and to capture all of the beauty surrounding Venus, to do this Sandro would have to use a few complex techniques of the Era, Shading and 3-D. Botticelli not only uses a large variety of tints and colors, everything that is put into this painting has relevant and important historical or mythological context. The illustration of Venus herself is based of a marble figure given to Sandro by the Medici family. In ancient mythology it is said that when Venus was born she was pushed on land from the wind by the wind-god Zephyr during a shower of roses and Venus was born full grown and Nude which was controversial at the time of the painting. Venus is about to be covered by a robe sewn of roses and daisies by a nymph and is about to cover her with a purple cloak. As beautiful and historical this painting may be at the time it was made, there was a very strong Christian influence during the renaissance age and it was seen as sin to paint picture of nude women and that is why it was controversial. As this was a way for Sandro to break free from the status quo a little bit and go against what was frowned upon by society and painted a nude god , shows some of peoples feelings on individual expression and free thinking at the time and Sandro did not care what other thought and ended up creating a beautiful Masterpiece.
 * "Botticelli, Birth of Venus", Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, 2008, January 15, 2010, []
 * "Meaning in the Birth of Venus", Suite 101, Mar, 31 2007, Jan 15 ,2010, []

How do they relate?

The three pictures above are all important to the Renaissance, for some reasons more than others.**Too vague - list the reasons and name the most important** The First, //The Creation of Adam//, is an example of the return to realism that people inhibited during and after the Renaissance, and with it, an example of a divine drama that artists, specifically Michelangelo were able to accomplish. It also reminds us that while many changes happened during the Renaissance, there was still great emphasis put forth on religion, and that the Church, like in the case of //The Creation of Adam//, and the greater work of which it consisted, the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, was a great patron of the arts. In the case of //The Last Supper//, done by Leonardo da Vincci, we also see the emphasis on religion, that being Christianity, and more importantly, the figurehead of Christianity itself, Jesus. Also, we are bedazzled by a beautiful rendering of perspective. Perspective is the utilization of one's vision to direct the eyes toward a single point in a painting, or anything. In this case, all lines of perspective lead towards the head of Jesus. Also, //The Last Supper// is a great example of the dynamic changes of the Renaissance, because, the scene had been rendered as a painting in the past, but Leonardo's uses actual human emotions and gestures. Lastly, we have //The Birth of Venus//, by Sandro Botticelli, is an example of the return to Greek and Roman thinking and ideals. This is obvious because of the Roman goddess of beauty, Venus, and other roman deities. While it does not have the same gripping realism that was depicted in the above two works, and the main figure of Venus is somewhat off anatomy, the picture seems to have a sort of reminiscence that depicts art of an earlier time, like a tapestry of the Middle Ages. All in all, these three images show many aspects of the Renaissance, from the prevailing religious mood, to fascination in ancient cultures, to the new styles being increasingly used.

Citations: 18/20 Picture paragraphs: 24/30 Summary: 17/20 Total: 69/80**
 * Pictures: 10 points