High Renaissance Art Critique (Leonardo and Michelangelo) by Lorraine G Huber

The Renaissance or ‘rebirth’ was a tremendously exciting movement, which started in Italy from Florence in the early 14th century, and continued into the 16th century. It embraced the rediscovery of classical philosophy, art, literature and science, pushing the boundaries in these fields, and producing some of the most influential and beautiful Art the world has ever seen. Many historical events in Europe contributed to the Renaissance. The Black Death which wiped out half the population of Europe at the end of the Middle Ages had ended, the population was growing and a new wealthy middle class of merchants, bankers and trades people had emerged. Trade flourished, with Galleons the first wind sailing ships making travel quicker and creating an increased demand for new goods. Guttenberg’s invention the printing press in 1445 marked enormous changes, allowing books to become widely available to the educated middle classes. Books on travel, romance, chivalry and a return to the classical philosophies of Greece and Rome spread. The philosophies of Humanism and Neo Platonism arose through study of the great writers and thinkers of Classical Antiquity. Marco Polo’s description of the world published in 1477 and Christopher Columbus discovery of the New World of the Americas in 1492 was another enormous factor for change. Through travel the world was becoming an accessible and exciting place, where anything seemed possible. By 1425 the Renaissance in Florence was more pervasive than anywhere else. Florence was a thriving self governing state, the twelve artists guilds, the hub of its’ trades were commercially successful, the strong economy and political stability, provided an ideal climate for Renaissance ideals to flourish in. Florence became an influential place in The Renaissance movement, which later spread throughout Northern Europe.

Ideals of The High Renaissance in Italy

Some Art historians assert that the return to the Classics and a rejection of the Middle Ages brought “not the rebirth of Antiquity but the birth of Modern Man” 1 (p163 - A Basic History Of Art) The Italian writer Petrarch claimed that the Renaissance embodied two main features: that of individualism and humanism. The High Renaissance Artists went far beyond earlier Renaissance Classical ideas of the balance between beauty and truth, exploring perfect use of symmetry, and proportion (the Golden Mean). Vitruvius used mathematic principles to apply to the human body, which he claimed represented the beauty of proportion in nature, a view taken further by Renaissance Humanists, notably Leonardo da Vinci in his famous notebook drawing The Vitruvian Man 1487. Symmetry, in Renaissance Architecture demonstrated the powers of Man’s intellect. Following Classical philosophy, artists equated physical perfection with spiritual worth, but elevated Man’s place further, with the concept of human greatness and dignity, almost on a par with the divine. They assimilated classical ideas and developed them in their own style, striving towards artistic genius, Michelangelo considered that Man was ‘analogous to divine creation’ (p211 A Basic History Of Art).

The Influence of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Leonardo da Vinci can truly be described as a genius of the High Renaissance and the definitive Renaissance ‘polymath’. His genius as a painter, draughtsman, sculptor, architect, inventor and engineer exemplified the Humanist ideal. In his youth, Leonardo was described as being a young man of superlative male beauty and possessing almost too many talents: Leonardo believed Science and art should go hand in hand and that, the highest aim of painting is to ‘depict the intention of man’s soul’ From 1435-1488 the young Leonardo was apprenticed to the acclaimed Florentine artist Verrochio, his wonderful talent for drawing and painting flourished, soon surpassing his Master. Leonardo’s gift is evident in Verrochio’s famous painting Baptism of Christ, Leonardo’s exquisite painting of an angel using his subtle ‘sfumato’ smudging technique, overshadowed Verrochio’s painting. Leonardo’s early famous unfinished panel The Adoration of the Maggi clearly show his mastery of the technique called chiaroscuro, the use of ‘light and dark’ to model form.  Leonardo not content only with painting was also famous for his mechanical and scientific inventions and anatomical drawings. Centuries ahead of his time Leonardo was first to draw a cross section of the human form. Leonardo wanted answers to such questions as ‘how do birds fly and eyes see’?Continually experimenting, Leonardo’s fresco “ The Last Supper” at Santa Maria delle Grazie 1497 shows his exploration with paint. He developed his own pigments to slow down the drying time, to paint in more detail. Unfortunately they did not adhere well to the surface. The painting began to deteriorate within a few years. What still survives today show the mastery Leonardo had of formal composition, perspective and expressiveness of humanity/divinity as exemplified in the central figure of Christ. Under the patronage of The Duke of Milan, Leonardo painted his first version of Virgin of The Rocks 1483, and later Virgin and child with Saint Anne (1508-1513). His most famous portrait surpasses these:
The Mona Lisa or ‘La Giaconda’ 1503-1506 Painted in oil on wood (30"x 20")

Now in The Louvre, Paris; The Mona Lisa was a Florentine lady whose name was Lisa. Leonardo places Mona Lisa against a mysterious ‘other worldly’ dark, rocky landscape, which enhances her mysterious, enigmatic quality. What strikes us is that she looks alive, almost as if she is looking at us, her expression, calm, yet almost sad, seems to change as we look at her. For centuries we have been captivated by the enigma of her smile and expression in her eyes. Such is Leonardo’s mastery of his own sfumato technique of subtly blurring and smudging the corners of her eyes and mouth and the amazing use of chiaroscuro around her face and hands, that she appears to glow mysteriously out of the shadows. Leonardo marvelled his contemporaries with this beautiful, unsettling painting. Today we are still enthralled. It is not surprising that this painting is the most famous and most copied image in the world, inspiring and baffling artists across the centuries.  Leonardo’s genius and place in history in the world of Renaissance Art and science is unparalleled, making him a true Renaissance Man, no words can do him justice.

The Influence of Michelangelo Buonarotti 1475- 1564

Like Leonardo, the younger Michelangelo was a apprenticed to a notable Florentine teacher, Domenica Ghirlandaio ( 1448-94) He too, surpassed his Master, as his early work - The Holy family, or Doni Tondo shows. The power of this painting still stirs us today. Michelangelo was also a supreme artist in his own lifetime, excelling as sculptor, painter, architect and poet. To Michelangelo, beauty was Divine, and was one way that God chose to communicate with Man. Michelangelo believed his genius was a divine gift. Steeped in Neo Platonist philosophy, he coined the word ‘genius’ with reference to his own art; his contemporaries reinforced this view. We marvel at his powerfully expressive giant marble statue of David (1501-1504) commissioned for the place outside the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo’s early first love was for sculpture as his monumental sculptures, grandly demonstrated. Michelangelo’s David seems to encapsulate his dualistic view, that however noble the human body may be, it is still the ‘prison of the soul’. He proved to his contemporaries that this work went far beyond those of Antiquity and brought a new power, beauty and expression to the sculpture of the human form, never seen before, and some argue, since. The same ideals are also expressed in his later gigantic fresco paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican, Rome 1508-1512.Michelangelo, known as and a strong, turbulent character, at first resisted coercion from Pope Julius 11 in 1505, for two huge commissions, the most important being the Sistine Ceiling, we know so well and associate with Michelangelo’s artistic genius and physical endurance. For four years, lying on his back on scaffolding high above the chapel floor, Michelangelo painted the some of the most wonderful images of all time, that included Biblical scenes of God’s creation of the World drawing upon alternating imagery from antiquity (the seers and sybils) to Biblical figures.    One of the most well known and reproduced sections from the ceiling is the Creation of Adam, A monumental God reaches out his right hand of power and infuses His naked Adam with life, the symbolism of the fingers outstretched but never touching, may exemplify Man’s struggle in the pursuit of God. Michelangelo’s work continued on a monumental scale to the end of his life. He continually wrestled with the constraints of his commissions stating in Vasari’s ‘Lives of the Artists’ “ I cannot live under pressure from patrons, let alone paint.”His struggles were real, and I for one will be forever in awe of his genius. For me he captures both the beauty and struggle of humanity, in his paintings and sculptures. He is a giant of the High Renaissance, yet his influence is still as powerful and relevant today. I have endeavoured to analyse a few key influences of these two geniuses of the High Renaissance, there is so much more. I would like to have included the great Raphael also; my next study will analyse his influence.

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An account of the determining factors within The High Renaissance period 1495-1520 within Art & Design, with particular reference to two key figures: Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo Buonarrotti by Lorraine G Huber Historical Background and World Influences Contributing to The Renaissance Movement The Renaissance or ‘rebirth’ was a tremendously exciting movement, which started in Italy from Florence in the early 14th century, and continued into the 16th century. It embraced the rediscovery of classical philosophy, art, literature and science, pushing the boundaries in these fields, and producing some of the most influential and beautiful Art the world has ever seen. Many historical events in Europe contributed to the Renaissance. The Black Death which wiped out half the population of Europe at the end of the Middle Ages had ended, the population was growing and a new wealthy middle class of merchants, bankers and trades people had emerged. Trade flourished, with Galleons the first wind sailing ships making travel quicker and creating an increased demand for new goods. Guttenberg’s invention the printing press in 1445 marked enormous changes, allowing books to become widely available to the educated middle classes. Books on travel, romance, chivalry and a return to the classical philosophies of Greece and Rome spread. The philosophies of Humanism and Neo Platonism arose through study of the great writers and thinkers of Classical Antiquity. Marco Polo’s description of the world published in 1477 and Christopher Columbus discovery of the New World of the Americas in 1492 was another enormous factor for change. Through travel the world was becoming an accessible and exciting place, where anything seemed possible. By 1425 the Renaissance in Florence was more pervasive than anywhere else. Florence was a thriving self governing state, the twelve artists guilds, the hub of its’ trades were commercially successful, the strong economy and political stability, provided an ideal climate for Renaissance ideals to flourish in. Florence became an influential place in The Renaissance movement, which later spread throughout Northern Europe. Ideals of The High Renaissance in Italy Some Art historians assert that the return to the Classics and a rejection of the Middle Ages brought “not the rebirth of Antiquity but the birth of Modern Man” 1 (p163 - A Basic History Of Art) The Italian writer Petrarch claimed that the Renaissance embodied two main features: that of individualism and humanism. The High Renaissance Artists went far beyond earlier Renaissance Classical ideas of the balance between beauty and truth, exploring perfect use of symmetry, and proportion (the Golden Mean). Vitruvius used mathematic principles to apply to the human body, which he claimed represented the beauty of proportion in nature, a view taken further by Renaissance Humanists, notably Leonardo da Vinci in his famous notebook drawing The Vitruvian Man 1487. Symmetry, in Renaissance Architecture demonstrated the powers of Man’s intellect. Following Classical philosophy, artists equated physical perfection with spiritual worth, but elevated Man’s place further, with the concept of human greatness and dignity, almost on a par with the divine. They assimilated classical ideas and developed them in their own style, striving towards artistic genius, Michelangelo considered that Man was ‘analogous to divine creation’ (p211 A Basic History Of Art). The Influence of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Leonardo da Vinci can truly be described as a genius of the High Renaissance and the definitive Renaissance ‘polymath’. His genius as a painter, draughtsman, sculptor, architect, inventor and engineer exemplified the Humanist ideal. In his youth, Leonardo was described as being a young man of superlative male beauty and possessing almost too many talents: Leonardo believed Science and art should go hand in hand and that, the highest aim of painting is to ‘depict the intention of man’s soul’ From 1435-1488 the young Leonardo was apprenticed to the acclaimed Florentine artist Verrochio, his wonderful talent for drawing and painting flourished, soon surpassing his Master. Leonardo’s gift is evident in Verrochio’s famous painting Baptism of Christ, Leonardo’s exquisite painting of an angel using his subtle ‘sfumato’ smudging technique, overshadowed Verrochio’s painting. Leonardo’s early famous unfinished panel The Adoration of the Maggi clearly show his mastery of the technique called chiaroscuro, the use of ‘light and dark’ to model form. Leonardo not content only with painting was also famous for his mechanical and scientific inventions and anatomical drawings. Centuries ahead of his time Leonardo was first to draw a cross section of the human form. Leonardo wanted answers to such questions as ‘how do birds fly and eyes see’?Continually experimenting, Leonardo’s fresco “ The Last Supper” at Santa Maria delle Grazie 1497 shows his exploration with paint. He developed his own pigments to slow down the drying time, to paint in more detail. Unfortunately they did not adhere well to the surface. The painting began to deteriorate within a few years. What still survives today show the mastery Leonardo had of formal composition, perspective and expressiveness of humanity/divinity as exemplified in the central figure of Christ. Under the patronage of The Duke of Milan, Leonardo painted his first version of Virgin of The Rocks 1483, and later Virgin and child with Saint Anne (1508-1513). His most famous portrait surpasses these: The Mona Lisa or ‘La Giaconda’ 1503-1506 Painted in oil on wood (30"x 20") Now in The Louvre, Paris; The Mona Lisa was a Florentine lady whose name was Lisa. Leonardo places Mona Lisa against a mysterious ‘other worldly’ dark, rocky landscape, which enhances her mysterious, enigmatic quality. What strikes us is that she looks alive, almost as if she is looking at us, her expression, calm, yet almost sad, seems to change as we look at her. For centuries we have been captivated by the enigma of her smile and expression in her eyes. Such is Leonardo’s mastery of his own sfumato technique of subtly blurring and smudging the corners of her eyes and mouth and the amazing use of chiaroscuro around her face and hands, that she appears to glow mysteriously out of the shadows. Leonardo marvelled his contemporaries with this beautiful, unsettling painting. Today we are still enthralled. It is not surprising that this painting is the most famous and most copied image in the world, inspiring and baffling artists across the centuries. Leonardo’s genius and place in history in the world of Renaissance Art and science is unparalleled, making him a true Renaissance Man, no words can do him justice. The Influence of Michelangelo Buonarotti 1475- 1564 Like Leonardo, the younger Michelangelo was a apprenticed to a notable Florentine teacher, Domenica Ghirlandaio ( 1448-94) He too, surpassed his Master, as his early work - The Holy family, or Doni Tondo shows. The power of this painting still stirs us today. Michelangelo was also a supreme artist in his own lifetime, excelling as sculptor, painter, architect and poet. To Michelangelo, beauty was Divine, and was one way that God chose to communicate with Man. Michelangelo believed his genius was a divine gift. Steeped in Neo Platonist philosophy, he coined the word ‘genius’ with reference to his own art; his contemporaries reinforced this view. We marvel at his powerfully expressive giant marble statue of David (1501-1504) commissioned for the place outside the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo’s early first love was for sculpture as his monumental sculptures, grandly demonstrated. Michelangelo’s David seems to encapsulate his dualistic view, that however noble the human body may be, it is still the ‘prison of the soul’. He proved to his contemporaries that this work went far beyond those of Antiquity and brought a new power, beauty and expression to the sculpture of the human form, never seen before, and some argue, since. The same ideals are also expressed in his later gigantic fresco paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican, Rome 1508-1512.Michelangelo, known as and a strong, turbulent character, at first resisted coercion from Pope Julius 11 in 1505, for two huge commissions, the most important being the Sistine Ceiling, we know so well and associate with Michelangelo’s artistic genius and physical endurance. For four years, lying on his back on scaffolding high above the chapel floor, Michelangelo painted the some of the most wonderful images of all time, that included Biblical scenes of God’s creation of the World drawing upon alternating imagery from antiquity (the seers and sybils) to Biblical figures. One of the most well known and reproduced sections from the ceiling is the Creation of Adam, A monumental God reaches out his right hand of power and infuses His naked Adam with life, the symbolism of the fingers outstretched but never touching, may exemplify Man’s struggle in the pursuit of God. Michelangelo’s work continued on a monumental scale to the end of his life. He continually wrestled with the constraints of his commissions stating in Vasari’s ‘Lives of the Artists’ “ I cannot live under pressure from patrons, let alone paint.”His struggles were real, and I for one will be forever in awe of his genius. For me he captures both the beauty and struggle of humanity, in his paintings and sculptures. He is a giant of the High Renaissance, yet his influence is still as powerful and relevant today. I have endeavoured to analyse a few key influences of these two geniuses of the High Renaissance, there is so much more. I would like to have included the great Raphael also; my next study will analyse his influence. home