CHAPTER 21
HUMANISM AND THE ALLURE OF ANTIQUITY:
15TH-CENTURY ITALIAN ART


1.  Read the chapter.  Visit the Pitti Palace in Florence  and  view the exquisite art of the Medici!
2.  Define, then remember, the following words:
 
humanism
vanishing point
oculus		 linear perspective
horizon line
trompe l'oeil		 atmospheric perspective
contrapposto
foreshortening
3.  Be able to discuss the following issues and ideas:
  • Fillipo Brunelleschi and the development and use of linear perspective (see inset on page 578 and discussion on pages 577-578).
  • The architectural ideas, designs, and writing of Leon Battista Alberti (see page 579).
  • Influence and impact of Donatello's sculpture. 
  • The art patronage of the Medici family. 
4.  Be able to recall and discuss the following works of art:
  • East Doors (Gates of Paradise) of the baptistery, Florence Cathedral, by Lorenzo Ghiberti (see page 572 in the text book).  Explore the development of illustionistic space seen in Ghiberti's doors and the innovations of Donatello (see pages 576-577). View a detail from the baptistery doors.
  • Compare the pictorial space of Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano (page 583) with the Tribute Money by Masaccio (page 584).  What pictorial devices did Masaccio use to create the "visual experience of distance?"  View a detail of Masaccio's painting!
  • Dome of the Florence Cathedral, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (see page 587).  Describe Brunelleschi's innovative building methods, their source, and application (see pages 587-588).
  • David by Donatello (page 593).  Compare with Andrea del Verrocchio's David (page 593), with Michelangelo's David (see Chapter 22, page 622), and with Bernini's David (see Chapter 24, page 695).
  • Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli (page 595).  Explore issues of "secular subject matter" and the Medici as patrons of art.
  • Compare Santa Maria Novella, west facade, designed by Leon Battista Alberti (see page 599) and Sant'Andrea Mantua (see page 604).  Comment on the influence of the writings of Vitruvius and Alberti's interest in classical forms (see discussion on pages 599-600.)
  • Examine the religious images of Fra Filippo Lippi in Madonna and Child with Angels (see page 602) and Luca Della Robbia's Madonna and Child (see page 602).  How do humanist concerns become evident in religious art?
  • View the ceiling fresco of the Camera degli Sposi, Palazzo Ducale, by Andrea Mantegna (see page 606) and Mantegna's painting, The Dead Christ (see page 607).  How does perspective "occupy Mantegna's attention" and exactly what pictorial devices does he use in his paintings to achieve what goals?
5.  Follow these links to look at more art of the early Renaissance in Italy:
6.  Respond to ONE ISSUE from #3 or #4 
above by writing a brief (less than one 
page) report.  Send your report
through the  LISTSERV.  See the 
Schedule for date due. 
Tondo image by Fra Filippi Lippi
7.  Provide a thoughtful response to someone else's report through the LISTSERV.  Join in the discussion -- remember that your participation counts toward your grade!   See the Schedule for the date due. 
Page Updated 7/17/07
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Copyright M. Hoover and San Antonio College, 1999.  All rights reserved.