Gothic Art is art of the Middle Ages. Early Middle Age art is also known as the Dark ages (410 AD-1066AD). After the Dark ages came the Medieval era (1066-1485) Then on to the Renaissance era. In the Middle Ages the Roman Empire was spilt into two sections, the Eastern and the Western part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire fell, the Western part disintegrated, while the Eastern or Byzantium Empire stayed intact. The art reflects the differences between the development of Catholic Religion and the Byzantium Empire.
Byzantium Art had characteristics of religious art, somber tones, flat, one dimensional, no shadows, narrow, and solemn faces. Medieval Gothic Art broke away from Byzantium Art and Romanesque styles. Changes included: Brighter colors, sculptures, metal work out of bronze, stained glass, use of shadows and light, use of symmetry, and depiction of animals and mythological scenes (middle-ages.com, 2013). Giotto di Bondone’s The Last Supper was a painting from this period.
Renaissance Art began in Italy around the late 13th and early 14th century and continued through the 17th century. Art from this period was mostly of religious nature. It was described as a period of rebirth. This was a time of greater prosperity and new technologies. There were three major phases of Renaissance Art, Early, High, and Late. In these phases inspiration came from antiquity, creating realistic figures that had portrayed personality and behavior (history.com, 2013). Focus was on the laws of proportion for architecture, human body, and space. Experimentation with oil based paints allowed the artist to change his art as he wished for months as it didn’t dry fast. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper was a famous painting from this period.
MIDDLE AGE AND RENAISSANCE ART 2
The Last Supper by Giotto di Bondone and Leonardo da Vinci both were based on the New Testament. In the Last Supper by Giotto di Bondone, he did not attempt to imitate
Cited: About.com Search - Find it now! (n.d.). About.com Search - Find it now!. Retrieved February 14, 2013, from http://arthisotry.about.com/cs/arthistory10one/a/early_ren.htm Middle Ages Art. (n.d.). Middle Ages. Retrieved February 15, 2012, from http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-art.htm Renaissance Art — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts. (n.d.). History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. Retrieved February 15, 2013, from http://www.history.com/topics/renaissance-art