AP Art History

Name: Caleb S.

Chapter 14 Study Questions Late Gothic in Italy, 1200 To 1400 1. What does the word Renaissance mean? During that time, what culture or period saw a revival? Renaissance refers to the rebirth of art and culture that occurred in the Italian citystates (and later in the Northern Renaissance) during the 15th and 16th centuries.

2. What was the most devastating natural disaster in Europe during the late 1300s? Explain what it was and what impact it had on Italian Gothic culture. The black death (bubonic plague) is thought to have killed over half of the population of Europe. It was a disease likely carried from China that arrived on rats in trading caravans. The plague led to the beginning of the upheaval of feudalism and some began to question the power of the church to cure the infected. Consequently, secularism, not necessarily anti-religious, began to take root.

3. What painters work best represented the spirit of maniera greca? Bonaventura Berlinghieri Follow this link to view Simone Martinis Annunciation discussion: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/simone-martinis-annunciation.html 4. What details in this work (Simone Martini's Annunciation) tell us it is part of the Sienese style? What other things here let us know that this is also an example of the International Gothic style? An attention to decorative pattern and detail, and subtle color and elegance is part of the Sienese style. The delicacy of Gabriels wings and cloak with characteristic lines are also part of the Sienese style. The international style can be seen in the brilliant colors, lavish decoration of costumes, intricate ornamentation, and splendid processions such as the olive branch.

5. What items in this work are really religious symbolism? What do they mean? A vase with lilies show Marys virginity Gabriel holds a branch of olive leaves which represents the coming of the Christ The dove surrounded by seraphim represents the Holy Spirit anointing Mary

6. What other things has the artist done in this work? Explain. The artist created a triangle between Mary, the dove, and Gabriel that emphasizes the divinity, much like the triangle of the trinity, of the moment

The piece takes a place in time by showing the moment when Gabriel appears. Mary still has her had in her bible and seems to turn away as Gabriel initially appears, perhaps frightened or amazed. 7. Around what theme are the paintings executed for the Siena Cathedral grouped? The theme centers on Marys innocence her virginity. However, despite Marys modesty and diffidence and the surprise of the angels message, the scene and theme subordinate drama for a single moment in time when Mary first meets the angel Follow this link to learn more about Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Palazzo Pubblico frescos:! Allegory and Effect of Good and Bad Government http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/the-allegories-and-effects-of-good-and-badgovernment.html 8. What is the purpose of the Palazzo Pubblico? The Palazzo Pubblico had many different functions. It was designed to lookout over the city and surrounding area, and housed a bell tower for ringing a variety of signals for the populace. It also had a room that served as the main meeting place for the officials of the town, and, in case of danger, could be used to defend oneself.

9. The three frescoes each have a purpose and a significant amount of symbolism. Choose one of the frescoes and explain what it was intended to convey and describe at least one interesting detail from it. The frescos were meant to remind the authorities of their responsibility to be good leaders for the people. The Allegory of Good Government and the personification of justice reside just above the entrance to the room. Justice is personified as a women holding a scale that weighs rewards and punishment, good and bad. Meant to portray justice as equal and wise, the figure looks towards wisdom and connects through a cord of equality, which then can be followed throughout the people and eventually to the good commune. Interestingly, the good commune is surrounded by many women who are meant to personify innocence and prudence. As a whole, the fresco shows that the rulers must be men of justice, even if that justice means punishment, and they must also be connected to the people not too extravagantly or haughtily.

Follow this link to learn more about Duccios Maesta: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/duccio-and-siena.html 10. What does this work depict? How did Duccio deviate from the Byzantine style in the Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints (Maest)? The figure depicts Mary, the main and largest figure, with Jesus on her lap as saints and angels surround her. (The back depicts Jesuss ministry.) Duccio relaxed the strict frontality and rigidity of the figures. He softened the the tradition Byzantine hard body

portrayal and used a more naturalistic and personal design, seen in the silk cloth and individualized faces. Follow this link to learn more about Cimabues Madonna Enthroned: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/cimabue-santa-trinita-madonna.html 11. What in this work makes you think back to Byzantine art or beyond and what hints at the Renaissance to come? The style looks very much like the Madonna Enthroned that was found during the Early Byzantine period. The generic faces and irrational space seem reminiscent of previous eras. While the perspective is partially irrational, it is beginning to take a shape that makes sense and fits the figures with that perspective.

12. Briefly describe humanism. Humanism was the glorifying of human nature and design, while not being sacrilegious. It emphasized the humanities, literature, grammer, history, and ethics, and revived the classics of the Roman and Greek age. Humanists such as Patriarch also began writing in the vernacular, and artist such as Da Vinci began to emphasize the beautiful proportions of the human body.

Follow this link to learn more about the Pisa Pulpit by Nicola Pisano: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/pisano.html 13. Describe generally what we see when we view the Pisa Pulpit. The Pulpit seems to consolidate classical and Medieval styles. The corinthian columns and supporting lions were somewhat typical of Medieval art, but the densely packed figures on the the panels are distinctly reminiscent of the Roman sarcophagi, though religious in nature. The arches are also round, as in Roman culture, rather than pointed. 14. Talk about the figure representing Fortitude what does it represent, reference, and so on. Fortitude was one of the virtues portrayed on the Pisa Pulpit. It represents the virtue of strength. The figure holding a lions skin is actually Hercules from classical tradition. Hercules maintains some of the classical traditions like contrapposto and nudity that emphasized the real qualities of his muscles. Such a figure shows that classical ideas and representations had begun to take root in Italy even in the 13th century.

15. What do the reliefs represent overall? Choose one panel, name it, and talk about its formal qualities. They represent moments from the life and death of Christ. The Adoration of Magi depicts some of the formal changes that were beginning to happen in Italy as it looked back to classical antiquity. While the figures are not particularly individualized as in

Gothic art, they have monumental and heavy figures that begin to seem alive. The flowing drapery is not dictated by rigged lines; it seems to bend and curve naturally to the characters body.