Renaissance & Baroque Art

1.  What is humanism?

Humanism is the philosophy or attitude concerned with the interests, achievements and capabilities of human beings rather than with the abstract concepts and problems of theology or science. It was a shift from religious to humankind. Humanism portrays feelings and human nature of human beings in humanistic art.  

In the portrait above called The Three Graces by Peter Paul Rubens, Rubens draws three plus sized woman who portray the emotion of happiness. In addition he creates a sense of comfort amongst the three women while being naked. He portrays human nature by drawing all three women naked which defines their beauty physically.

2.  What are some of the qualities of Jan Van Eyck’s paintings?

Jan Van Eyck was the first Netherlandish painter to achieve international fame

He was a big user of visual symbolism.

In his portrait Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride the use of color is used to highlight realism. The objects and things surrounding the couple are used for symbolism. The single lighted candle in the chandelier symbolizes the presence of Christ, the amber beads and the sunlight shining through them are symbols of purity, the dog symbolizes marital fidelity, the puffiness of her dress symbolizes her willingness for children and the color green symbolizes fertility.

3.  Describe the qualities of Baroque art in an artwork of your choice.

Baroque art shows great energy and feeling, a dramatic use of light, scale and balance.

In the portrait above called The Raising of the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens we see a dramatic use of light being used on Jesus. The light creates a focus on his pain and his willingness to give up his life. Realism is brought to the picture through dog on the bottom left of the portrait and the muscular men lifting the cross. There is balance in the picture with the use of color. The bright red is balanced out with the dark blue green and purple.