High Italian Renaissance

High Italian Renaissance

The High Italian Renaissance essentially was no different in my opinion, really from the early renaissance. You still have the teachings and writings of Plato which continued to become popular and idealized. The use of Fresco and oil paint mediums are more common.  Modeling is of course taken a step further in sculptures and paintings with the introduction of sfumato & Chiaroscuro styles. The big emphasis in the high Italian renaissance seemed to be humanism & modernization. Everything was of current depiction, and perfection was a most. Perfection played a huge part for artist such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Di Vinci; who was both fascinated with the anatomy of the human system.

Artist in the high renaissance are so good at this point that you see a lot of overly expressed, arrogant art produced. Raphael’s Agnelo Doni, a portrait of Doni which commemorates his marriage alliance with Maddalena Strozzi, whom also has a separate portrait a two piece set. Looking at both portraits you can see the stronng emphasis in color. The vibrancy and the use of chiaroscuro, contrast between light and dark colors. Not so much in the background as in the foreground. The subject matters are realistic as can be expected from there head all the way to their garments.  But the subjects in both, Raphael’s portraits of “Doni & Strozzi” hold such profound realism in their hands. They stand out apart from everything else in the portrait. The joules in the rings that are placed upon the individual fingers, the use of sfumato style on just the hands alone would suggest some form of importance.

Artist in the high renaissance produced a lot of three-quarter piece portraits, similar to the Mona Lisa. A bit of historia is most common in paintings, particularly from well-known or renowned artists Such as Titian and Bramante, & Di Vinci etc. Michelangelo’s David is practically littered with idealistic trends of humanism and perfectionism with the disincentive inaccuracy of realism to the male genitals. Notice how all the statues and paintings depict the male genitals in its size and entirety. There isn’t any distinction in the neither size nor appearances. They all sort of fall under the same umbrella, realistically knowing that isn’t accurate. That’s just a bit of settle observation to the extent of realism in the high Italian renaissance.

A lot of artists during this time where commissioned to build and produce great works of art. Cathedrals are being remodeling during the high renaissance, ceilings of cathedrals are being painted and sculptures and tombs are being “commissioned,” built. Artists are in high demand with the decree of high ranks or authority. Artist now in the high renaissance have the power to travel produce and sale art work of their liking. Paints are even starting to be produced, premixed and sold. Heavy unclear symbolism is present in the high Italian renaissance. Giorgione’s “The Tempest” is an oil painting on canvas that suggests a lot of unclear subject-actions that may or may not be taking place in the painting.