Western Art History (Theory)

Byzantine art overlaps with or merges with what we call Early Christian art until the iconoclasm period of 730-843. After 843 until 1453 there is a clear Byzantine art tradition. Byzantine art's crowning achievement were the monumental frescos and mosaics inside domed churches, most of which have not survived due to natural disasters and the appropriation of churches to mosques: Architecture of S. Vitale Ravenna, Hagia Sophia Istanbul, Crucifixion Mosaic in Monestry Church Daphne, Mosaics and Paintings of Late Byzantine Art- Elizabeth at the Well.    

Romanesque art refers to the period from about 1000 to the rise of Gothic art in the 12th century. Stained glass and enamel on metalwork became important media, and larger sculptures in the round developed, although high relief was the principal technique. Its architecture is dominated by thick walls, and round-headed windows and arches, with much carved decoration: Architecture of St. Sernin Toulouse, Autun Cathedral, Sculpture of St. Sernin Toulouse, St. Pierre Moissac, Sto. Domingo De Silos, Painting style in St. Mark from Gospel Book, The Battle of Hastings (Bayeux Tapestry).

International Gothic describes Gothic art from about 1360 to 1430, after which Gothic art merges into Renaissance art at different times in different places : Architecture of St. Denis and Abbot Suger, Notre Dame Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Sculpture of West Portals, Chartres Cathedral, The Coronation of the Virgin N. Portral Chartres Cathedral, Death of the Virgin Strasbourg Cathedral france, Roettgen Pieta Bonn, Sculptor Giovanni Pisano’s Madonna prato Cathedral, Lorenzo Maitani’s The Last Judgement Orvieto Cathedral Italy. Stained Glass Painting of Notre Dame de le Belle Verriere Chartres Cathedral. Cimabue’s (painter) Madonna enthroned, Duccio’s Madonna enthroned and Christ entering Jerusalem, Giotto’s  Christ entering Jerusalem and The Lamentation, Limbourg Brothers’s Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Baerry

The Renaissance art began in Italy. During the Renaissance, painters began to enhance the realism of their work by using new techniques in perspective, thus representing three dimensions more authentically. Artists also began to use new techniques in the manipulation of light and darkness. Following with the humanist spirit of the age, art became more secular in subject matter, depicting ancient mythology in addition to Christian themes. This genre of art is often referred to as Renaissance Classicism. In the North, the most important Renaissance innovation was the widespread use of oil paints, which allowed for greater colour and intensity: 

Early Renaissance: The ideas of the Renaissance first emerged in the city-state of Florence - Donatello’s Sculpture of St. Mark Florence, David of Florence and the Feast of Herod Siena Cathedral, Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise Florence. Brunelleschi’s Architecture of S. Lorenzo, Florence. Painting of Masaccio’s The Holy Trinity with the Virgin Florence, Madonna Enthroned London and The Expulsion from Paradise Florence. Fra Filippo Lippi’s Deposition Florence. Architecture of Alberti’s S. Francesco, Rimini and Central plan churches. Sculpture of Bernardo Rosellino’s Tomb of Leonardo Bruni Florence. Painting of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus Florence, Ghirlandio’s tempera of an old man and his grandson Paris, Bellini’s Madonna and Saints Venice.

High Renaissance: The 15th-century artistic developments in Italy (for example, the interest in perspectival systems, in depicting anatomy, and in classical cultures) matured during the 16th century, accounting for the designations “Early Renaissance” for the 15th century and “High Renaissance” for the 16th century. Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Virgin of the Rocks, The Last Supper, Mona Lisa. Bramante’s Architecture of S. Pietro Rome. Michelangelo’s Sculpture of Pieta St. Peter’s Rome, David Florence, Moses St. Pietro Rome, The Sistine Ceiling Rome. Raphael’s painting of The School of Athens Rome and Portraits. Titian’s painting of The Pesaro Madonna Venice and Portraits. 

In European art, Renaissance Classicism spawned two different movements— Mannerism and the Baroque. Mannerism, a reaction against the idealist perfection of Classicism, employed distortion of light and spatial frameworks in order to emphasize the emotional content of a painting and the emotions of the painter. Baroque art is often seen as part of the Counter-Reformation— the artistic element of the revival of spiritual life in the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, the emphasis that Baroque art placed on grandeur is seen as Absolutist in nature. However, the Baroque love for detail is often considered overly-ornate and gaudy, especially as it developed into the even more richly decorated style of Rococo.

Mannerism art 16th century: Tinttoretto’s painting of The Last Supper Venice, Madonna with Child and Donor, Finding of the body of St Mark. El Greco’s painting of The Burial of the Count of Orgaz Spain, The Assumption of the Virgin Spain, The Disrobing of Christ, View of Toledo, The Adoration of the Magi. Architecture of Vasari’s Loggia of the Palazzo degli Uffizi Florence, Sansovino’s The Library of St. Marks Venice. 

Baroque art 17th century to 18th century: Caravaggio’s painting of The Calling of St. Matthew Rome. Velazquez’s The water carrier of Seville London and The Maids of Honor Madrid. Rubens’s The Raising of the Cross, Marie De Medici, The Garden of Love, The Landscape with the Chateau Steen. Van Dyck’s Rinaldo and Armida. Brueghel’s Allegory of Earth. Snyder’s Market Stall. Frans Hals’s The Jolly Toper, Malle Babbe, The Women regent of the old man’s home at Haarlem. Rembrant’s The Blinding of Samson, The Night Watch, Christ Preaching, Self Portrait, The Return of the Prodigal Son. Vermeer’s The Letter.  Poussin’s Cephalus and Aurora, The Abduction of the Sabine Women, The Birth of Bacchus. Architecture of Bernini’s St. Peter’s Rome. Sculpture of Bernini’s David Rome and Ecstasy of St. Theresa Rome. Andre Le Notre’s Gardens of Versaillies. Sculpture of Puget’s Milo of Crotona

Rococo Art Mid-18th century: Jean-Antoine Watteau’s painting of A Pilgrimage to Cythera. François Boucher’s The Toilet of Venus. Chardin’s Kitchen Still Life. Hogarth’s The Orgy Scene III. Reynold’s Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse. Sculpture of Roubiliac’s George Frideric Handel.