Arthur Lubow: Analysis Of Bernini's Genius

Man has been creating art for over 30,000 years. There are cave drawings, sculptures, Egyptian art, Greek Art, Modern Art and plenty more but to many, the Renaissance Art period is considered to be most important. Never had so many geniuses in art lived at one time and never had so many pieces of cherished art been produced. Two examples of Renaissance paintings are Cigoli’s Adoration of the Shepherds and Moretto da Brescia’s Entombment. Both paintings posses the attributes that were popular during the Renaissance period which I will now contrast and compare.

The masterworks of Bernini and Canova shared similarities along the lines of the sculptors’ works were crafted with precision and a keen eye for detail and were successful in giving their works a realistic effect. Both workers were masters in their own time and were able to manipulate marble to as though they were constructing a painting. They both incorporated classical forms in their works, depicting great scenes from mythical stories that could be viewed in great detail at a 360-degree angle.

One of the most famous painter and sculptors of the Italian Renaissance, the age of renewal and cultural achievement circa 1500, was the artistic genius Michelangelo Buonarroti. The man that desired nothing but perfection often reached it in his work. He captured the motion of the human figure and the anatomy of muscles in a way that was increasingly beautiful and startlingly realistic. Whether because of one of the most famous sculptures in history, “the David” or the paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, that became the textbook examples for the art period of High Renaissance, Michelango’s art changed the world and he will continue to be studied with awe throughout history.

Italy can be looked at as the home of the renaissance and consequently the immergence of great art. Artists such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Raphael are some of the greats and are looked at for standards. But what about the artists whose lives are mysteries, and their works that were influenced by the greats? These artists hold just as much importance in the history of art as do the artist’s whose names can be recalled off the top of an average person’s head. During the sixteenth century things began to change in the art world, and that change was the Baroque. This new style of art brought a revolution to how subject matter was painted, it brought upon “… a radical reconsideration of art and its purposes…” (249) and how artists of all ranks could learn to paint the up and coming style of Baroque.

At first glance, Giovanni Paolo Pannini’s Picture Gallery with Views of Modern Rome (1757) reveals very little past the outsider-looking-in perspective we are given from Pannini’s perspective. In the center is the Duc de Choiseul surrounded by detailed views of Roman architecture including buildings, fountains, and monuments and several infamous sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries. While looking at the painting, it is hard to pinpoint one focal point within the composition when the walls of the gallery are filled with paintings from the floor to the ceiling. The focus becomes about the space Pannini has created and it does not focus on one specific object or figure. Each view of Rome seen in the imagined gallery adds to the illusion of Rome as an ideal city and to the idea of its beauty. By showing a space that reflects this beauty through the numerous paintings, sculptures, and architecture Pannini’s painting transforms into an allegory. Even though this painting was commissioned to commemorate Rome, he is able to portray the city and its architecture through a well respected and scholarly environment uncharacteristic of any known space or time. These characteristics cause the which allows it by creating a fictitious These allegorical characteristics do not become known unless you take a closer look at Picture Gallery with Views of Modern Rome (1757).

“There is no greater name in Italian art—therefore, no greater in art—than that of Titian,” (Claude Phillips “Earlier Works of Titian”1897 page 5). This artist was more than just a normal painter that played around in his work studio; he was the father of what was bound to become something greater than he even believed. We watched him work with imaginative textures and animated colors to generate the masterpieces of not only the Renaissance; but also of modern day work. All kinds of artists—painters, singers, writers, sculptures—are exploring their muse by studying how he worked with his paint brush; they idolize him and one day want their work to be as exceedingly renowned as Titian’s. His work has been carried on for many years after his

Leading up to this project Brunelleschi had lead a life of discovery, invention, and art. He was a master of painting, wood carving, gold

A comparison of the style between the famous Italian Renaissance Sculptors Michelangelo, Bandinelli, and Giambologna

Known as one of if not they best artists of his time Francesco Guardi is quite the artist. he is known for his later works, one of his bests know as the doges feasts which was a 12 canvas set of pure beauty. The painting was pictures of the election that took place in 1763 with the election of Dodge Alvise IV Mocenigo. Guardi captured this amazing moment for the future to witness, the election is a massive thing in italy. Its compared to the election in America but almost 2 times more bigger, its no joke to italy and he was there to capture and give the future a vivid

Now, straight ahead, you will see the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni sculpted by Italian Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Bernini is often credited with establishing the Baroque style of sculpture, which basically entails focusing on emotions felt by the audience by simply observing the artwork. Bernini exceled at evoking passion from audience members, as you can almost immediately collect from viewing the sculpture in front of you. This is the last life-size figure created by Bernini, which he began working on in 1671 and completed in 1674 at 71 years old. Today, you can find this piece of art in the Altieri Chapel, designed to commemorate and honor Ludovica Albertoni, commonly referred to as the “Mother Teresa” of her time.

The selection from Leon Battista Alberti’s On painting is mainly divided into 5 paragraphs numbered 25 through 29. Just as the title suggests, the text deals with the art of painting and its virtues. It talks about the benefits painting offers to the artist and why they are valuable, as well as showing the importance a work of art gives to the object being painted. While referring to many examples in history, Alberti also compares painting to the other “crafts” and explains why it is more noble, as well as more enjoyable and self-satisfactory.

Indeed, it is not possible to imagine someone could compete with Gianlorenzo Bernini in feeling of the Baroque style in sculpture. Thus, the most prominent works of the artist, known for

Leon Battista Alberti, born in the 15th Century originally from Genoa was educated at Padua and Bologna in classics, mathematics and Church canon law. He was a typical Humanist and his education also made him well-versed in philosophy, science and the arts. In 1421, he attended the University of Bologna where he studied law, which he did not enjoy. Later on, he obtained a degree in canon Law which then led to his mathematical studies. His book, Della Pittura published around the year 1430 were written to influence both artists and patrons through a combination of technical detail and philosophical discussion on Florentine art. This book is divided into 3 parts, the first relates to perspective and mathematics. The second and third parts

Giorgio Vasari is known for being the first Art Historian. He wrote the seminal work The Lives of the Artists. But why did he write it? Of course every book is written for a purpose but I don’t think Vasari was writing just to inform people of art and artists. At the beginning of the 14th Century the value of artists and their craft began to rise. They had been a member of the guild system along with other valued members of the medieval economic system certainly but suddenly wealthy people not just the clergy saw buying art and dedicating it to God as a way to pay for past sins and show their esteemed colleagues that they were actually doing something to ensure passage to heaven. This rise of humanism is continuing theme into the next two centuries when it reaches Vasari. If Art has reached its zenith in realism and can go no higher. How then can Vasari increase his worth and that of his fellow artists in the world’s estimation? Write a book detailing the lives of great artists and explain how they received their genius from God and made startling contributions to the many great religious and civic efforts of Italy and Florence in particular. This was going to help him increase his own power if he could connect his talent to the greatness of God and those who needed God’s Grace more than most; the rich and powerful.

Grasping the full understanding of science and perfection in creative art are the two ultimate goals that mankind had been striving for ever since these two aspects became an important part of society. Many had aimed for it but none succeeded. Most of those who attempted to obtain this Holy Grail failed but some were able to conquer many fields. Leonardo da Vinci is a perfect example of those “Universal Geniuses.” Leonardo was one of the few who achieved major success in both art and sciences including portrait painting, conceptual engineering, anatomy, and many more.