Sunday, December 8, 2013

Titian

Titian's greatest rival was Michelangelo. He was always drawing direct references from Michelangelo's work into his own. But I won't ignore Raphael, who was his other rival. Even though references were less distinct, we can still see where Titian had been influenced by Raphael, especially after Raphael's death.
The Resurrection of Christ, represented in the main panel of the Brescia altarpiece, alludes to Raphael's fresco the Liberation of Saint Peter. "The dawn sky in the altarpiece, the way in which the soldier falls back as he witnesses the Resurrection, and the silhouette of his companion's profile against the orange light of the sky recall the nocturnal lighting and similar motifs in Raphael's fresco"( Goffen 293).

Here are the images.

Resurrection of Christ by Titian

Liberation of St. Peter by Raphael

I personally do not see the reference. It is said to be in the lighting... but the heavenly glow seems nonexistent in Titian's painting. I suppose both figures have their arms extended as if to embrace. I do however see a connection between the panel of St. Sebastian and Michelangelo's Dying Slave sculpture.

Dying Slave by Michelangelo


St. Sebastian by Raphael in lower right.



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Battle of Anghiari - My painting

After thorough  inspiration from the cartoon of the Battle of Anghiari. I took it upon myself to paint of scene from the familiar battle of Custers Last Stand or the Battle of the Little Bighorn. You can see the reference I made in the central theme of the painting where the one horse rears over the fallen horse in a circular composition. I contemplated entwining the horses but chose not to complicate that part of the scene. Instead, I made of heap of figures and mass of fighting Native Americans. The painting is oil on canvas and 30"x48". You can also see some other influences from paintings that I implemented into the scene.

Battle of Anghiari by Leonardo

Custers Last Stand  by James Corwin

Battle of the Ticino by Unknown

Horse Study by Leonardo




Raphael references Leonardo

I found something interesting while viewing the images in my reading. This reference is not mentioned in my reading but I have taken it upon myself to share this new discovery... I am sure it has already been discovered but I was still excited to find something the other did not mention.

The painting Madonna of Foligno by Raphael depicts a man pointing to the heavens and holding a cross. When I saw this man I instantly thought of Leonardo's St. John the Baptist. Raphael is noted for gathering inspiration from Leonardo and referencing him frequently in his paintings. Take a look at the 2 images and let me know what you think!


Madonna of Foligno by Raphael

St. John the Baptist by Leonardo

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Comments on Smyth

Following after my previous post on Mannerism and its style, I wanted to continue on the topic with this reading.
Mannerism really found a decline in art as it tried to counter the High Renaissance, a rebellion (pg 27). Art became very stylized and with overt forms and construction. Although experimental, the painting remained generalized and intentional (not free) (27). Where did this desire to change the style originate from? The idea of painting changed. Painting became more of what it is today, a creative process that can be learned and practiced by anyone and studied in schools.... Rather than using painting as a way to express biblical text and lifestyle. The previous idea of painting was being destroyed. People were beginning to pick up a brush, trying to imitate Michelangelo and failing. With the freedom to paint, came the freedom to express that which was held in the imagination instead of focusing on nature. Mannerism really became the vehicle that brought painting from a highly respected profession to more of a hobby.

Here is my previous post from Freedberg's article.

I had difficulty grasping what Manniera in Art truly is. I found bits and pieces that describe the style in painting. For example “Forms are illumined by cool light, transmitted through air so thin it seems unbreathable.” The atmosphere is both transparent and clear. The figures and their behavior are aetheticized. Their form is deliberate and intentional, but graceful and civilized (pg 286). I was also intrigued by the commentary of plasticity and sculptural aspects of the painting. Raphael began to incorporate more sculpture-like figures into his later paintings, similar to those of Michelangelo. The mannerists would use this sculpturesque style as a guide to stylization in their paintings (pg 287).