Middle Renaissance Art

Perspective and Geometry

humanism, antiquity
- understanding of figure
- subject matter, allegory
Alberti's ON PAINTING
- economics of detail
single point perspective used to suit own needs
- use of illusion (di sotto in cu, illusionistic depth)
- distort perspective when need to (to increase monumentality, grandeur)
- foreshortening
tension
crisp linearity
- hard linear contours
less heroic
- moves from more stern, rigorous, abstract, dry, stony, hard (obsessed with space, perspective and geometry)
- to more expressive in color, a softer, broader, relaxed style
EXAMPLES: Alberti, Mantegna, Pollaiuolo, Botticelli

Leon Battista Alberti Palazzo Rucellai (facade) Florence 1452-1470
Leon Battista Alberti Santa Maria Novella (facade) Florence 1458-1470
Leon Battista Alberti Sant'Andrea Mantua c.1470
Bernardo Rossellino Tomb of Leonardo Bruni Santa Croce, Florence 1445-50
Anotonio Pollaiuolo Hercules and Antaeus Bronze and Painting Florence 1475
Antonio Pollaiuolo Battle of the Ten Nudes Engraving 1465
Andrea Mantegna Saint James Led to Martyrdom Fresco Ovetari Chapel, Church of the Erementani Padua 1455 (destroyed)
Andrea Mantegna Camera Picta fresco Ducal Palace, Mantua 1465-1474
Andrea Mantegna Dead Christ Tempera Milan 1501
Andrea del Castagno The Last Supper Sant'Apollonia, Florence 1445-1450 ***compare with Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
Andrea del Verrocchio David Florence 1465 ***compare with Donatello's David and Michelangelo's David
Domenico Ghirlandaio Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni Thyssen=Bornemisza Collection, Lugano 1488 ***compare with Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa

Gonzaga - Ruling family of Mantua
di sotto in su
engraving