Italian Renaissance

This week I will be talking about works of visual art and architecture from the Italian Renaissance.  The Italian Renaissance covered the 14th century through the 17th century.  This time period is very significant because it is known to be the transitional time from the Middle Ages to modernity.

The art piece below is a very well-known work of art from this time period.  It is called the Creation of Adam.  This very famous work of art was created by a very famous and well-known Italian artist named Michelangelo.  Michelangelo "was an Italian sculptor, painter, and architect considered to be one of the most influential artists to come out of the Renaissance period." (Stockwell, Margaux).  Michelangelo painted this piece of work between 1508 and 1512 on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Rome.

This work holds so much to uncover.  It heavily is a piece of work that presents the audience with the techniques of symbolism.  "In this fresco, God is portrayed as an elderly white beard man enveloped in a while cloak while Adam is entirely naked positioned on the lower left.  God is shown inside a floating nebulous and supported by angels without wings.  The right arm of God is outstretched to touch the left arm of Adam extended in a pose mirroring God's, reminding that man is created in the image of the likeness of God." (Kabir).  I find this piece very cool and all types of work like this to be so amazing in the way it tells a story.  This story is the story that "God's imminent touch to Adam would breathe life into him and ultimately will give life to all of mankind.  It is, therefore, the birth of the human race." (Kabir).  I find it amazing that just through this one painting, all of that can be said.

I believe that the Creation of Adam is a piece that falls under and connects to the humanism art type.  Below, you can see the similarities between Michelangelo's piece and another humanism art piece.  The piece below next to the Creation of Adam is Sacred and Profane Love by Titian.  Humanism art can be easily spotted through many characteristics.  For example, one characteristic of humanism art is the exaltation of the human body.  This means that the bodies of the ones painted are emphasized and presented in a state of heightened realism.  Both of the paintings below have this characteristic.  Another characteristic you can find in humanism artwork is the theme of Christianity.  We can also see this below especially in the Creation of Adam; a very well-known story of the Bible.

    

Here is a video on the background and an analysis of the Creation of Adam.




Citations

https://medium.com/the-collector/the-hidden-meaning-of-michelangelos-creation-of-adam-3eb73ad987b9

Kabir. “The Hidden Meaning of Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam'.” Medium, The Collector, 28 Nov. 2020, medium.com/the-collector/the-hidden-meaning-of-michelangelos-creation-of-adam-3eb73ad987b9.

https://blog.singulart.com/en/2020/04/15/the-creation-of-adam-c-1508-1512-michaelangelos-astounding-piece/#:~:text=The%20Creation%20of%20Adam%20is%20a%20fresco%20painted%20by%20Michelangelo,life%20to%20the%20first%20man.

Stockwell, Margaux. “The Creation of Adam (C.1508 - 1512): Michelangelo's Astounding Piece.” Singulart Magazine, 29 May 2020, blog.singulart.com/en/2020/04/15/the-creation-of-adam-c-1508-1512-michaelangelos-astounding-
piece/#:~:text=The%20Creation%20of%20Adam%20is%20a%20fresco%20painted%20by%20Michelangelo,Chapel%20in%20the%20Vatican%20City.

Comments

  1. Jessica AJune 7, 2021 at 7:56 PM

    Hello Tiare,

    I find this type of art to be awesome as well. Its so steeped in rich history. I would absolutely love to visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican, Rome and see the art. I can not tell a lie though - When seeing the nakedness of the art subjects it makes me giggle! It's not that I'm uncomfortable, it's just because I look at the body as being a functioning machine, not art. I do like the humanism type of art as I can get lost in the meticulous details.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather McAloonJune 10, 2021 at 10:54 PM

    I did my blog post on Adam and Eve. To learn that there is so much history in the art behind their story and that there is so many different versions of them painting was amazing. I love the way it looks like God is reaching out to give to Adam to help him. I also agree with your humanism part. My art that I discussed about Adam and Eve had a lot in it just like this one. You can see the angels faces and God's face and see the emotions you may think they have at the moment. The art is very detailed and gives you a chance to figure out your emotions on them.
    Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kisha LPJune 11, 2021 at 12:56 AM

    Hi Tiare!

    This is such an amazing piece of art. I love the free and flowing form, there is a real lightness and complex factor to the shape and movement of the body. I also love how the bodies are so anatomically correct.

    ReplyDelete

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