Vanessa as Goddess of Venus
Original "Birth of Venus"
The
French term ‘Renaissance’ emerged in the 19th century and was used to describe
an entire period of rebirth, occurring between the 14th and 17th centuries (the
renaissance). Artists of this time looked back to those before them while
incorporating a greater sense of light and color through new mediums. The use of space and perspective was a
huge innovation of this time. Paintings were no longer two-dimensional but took
on the illusion of having three dimensions. Art during the Renaissance was
mostly made for commissions or religious reasons. It is said that by the end of
the 15th century, contracts concerning commissions specified that most of the
painting must be done by the masters’ hand. It was the work of the master that
brought with it the most money and prestige. The Renaissance proved to be a time of great
transformation of the artist as they came to occupy a different place in
society, for art was becoming more than just a craft. Renaissance society was
dominated by guilds, which represented the important trades in the city. All
were connected to a patron saint and each looked out for their fellow members,
ensuring that all had a job and a decent income. Workshops were also abundant,
where a master paid to take on an apprentice to teach practical skills in the
field. As
a cultural movement, it encompassed a revival of learning based on classical
sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but
widespread educational reform. Traditionally, this intellectual transformation
has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between the Middle
Ages and the Modern era.
The artist I chose to research
about was Allessandro Botticelli. He later took on the name of Sandro Botticelli
and was an Italian painter (like Zanini) who was born in 1445. He painted
during the early renaissance. His best known works include The Birth of Venus and Primavera.
His painting career started fairly late for the era at the age of 18 (so old!).
He is one of, if not the first artists to paint subjects who were not religious
characters or portraits (mythological or allegorical). This was unheard of
during this time and makes him stand out as an artist in the renaissance. He
started by mimicking the paintings of his master Fillipo Lippi. His paintings
often included pale and muted colours, flowing garments, with faces full of
life and beauty. This was a technique he adopted from his mentor but soon
adapted it to be his own.
With this technique he created the famous painting, The Birth of Venus. This painting is one of my favourite
from the renaissance era. The colours are bright and warm, and the face of the
subject (Venus) is serene and innocent. The overall painting is very somber and
calming. The paining includes a nude subject, which was an innovation of the
time, and was very shocking to some people since unclothed figures had been prohibited
during the Middle Ages.
