POST #8 – LECTURE - RENAISSANCE – REALISM

This lecture explored how painting and art evolved from the Byzantine period to later movements such as the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque Painting, Rococo, Neoclassical, Romanticism, and Realism. One of the biggest changes happened during the Early Renaissance, when artists began focusing more on Humanism and Naturalism. Instead of only creating symbolic religious images, artists tried to represent the human body and the natural world more realistically. Artists like Giotto helped begin this transition by making figures appear more emotional and lifelike. He often used the technique of fresco, which involves painting directly onto wet plaster so the image becomes part of the wall itself.

The Renaissance was also shaped by new ideas about science, mathematics, and perspective. Architect Brunelleschihelped develop one point perspective (linear perspective), which allowed artists to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Artists such as Masaccio used this technique to make their paintings look more realistic and three-dimensional. Thinkers like Leon Battista Alberti also played an important role by writing about artistic principles in the Painting Treatise, Sculpture Treatise, and Architecture Treatise. These writings helped artists understand how to create balanced and harmonious works. Art during this time was also supported by wealthy merchants and powerful families such as the Medici, who funded artists and helped cities like Florence become major centers of artistic innovation.

During the High Renaissance, artists focused on balance, proportion, and harmony. One of the most influential artists was Leonardo da Vinci, who combined art with science and curiosity about the natural world. He also developed many ideas known as Leonardo’s inventions. His famous painting Mona Lisa demonstrates techniques such as sfumato, which softly blends colors and edges, and chiaroscuro, which uses light and shadow to create depth. Another important artist was Michelangelo, known for his sculpture David and the paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Rafaelalso contributed to this period with works like School of Athens, which represents classical philosophers and humanist ideas.

After this period, art began to change into Mannerism, where artists experimented with unusual proportions and dramatic poses. One example is El Greco, whose figures appear elongated and expressive. In Northern Europe, the Northern Renaissance developed with artists such as Jan van Eyck, who created detailed paintings like the Arnolfini Portrait. Another northern artist, Hieronymus Bosch, painted imaginative scenes such as The Garden of Earthly Delights. Artists also used tools like the camera obscura and grid to help with accurate drawing and perspective. Works like Vitruvian Man reflected the Renaissance interest in anatomy and ideal human proportions. The spread of ideas was also accelerated by the Gutenberg Press, which allowed books and images to circulate more widely.

Later movements continued to transform art. Baroque Painting emphasized drama and strong contrasts of light and shadow. Artists like Caravaggio used intense lighting techniques such as tenebrism, while painters like Diego Velasquezpracticed direct painting, applying paint directly without detailed sketches. Later styles such as Rococo, Neoclassical, and Romanticism reflected different cultural values and emotions. Artists like Francisco Goya expressed powerful emotional and political themes in their work. Finally, Realism focused on ordinary life and everyday people, as seen in the paintings of Gustave Courbet, who believed art should represent real experiences rather than idealized subjects.

Overall, the lecture showed how art evolved over time as artists explored new techniques, ideas, and ways of understanding the world.