Google Art Project

Alice Quach
1) The Adoration of the Magi painted approximately during the year 1470,
represented a popular Early Italian Renaissance painting on a panel.
The artist, Botticelli, was known to sphere his interest around religious
and mythical themes. Adoration of the Magi, depicts a biblical story of
the three Wise Men and several others to worship Christ at Nativity.
Typical of flourishing Early Italian Renaissance techniques, Christ, Mary,
and Joseph are seen as the central focus, and are placed above all the
other figures in the scene. Also, there is a sense of realism to this seen,
as those central figures seem to appear as regular humans. Since
Botticelli was a patronage for the Medici family, his artwork reflects
their essence as well as the Florentine society. Also, as perspective
comes into place, Botticelli himself includes himself in the slight
bottom right corner of the painting looking at the viewer- this
represents a connection in the Early Renaissance where the viewer and
paintings seem to establish recognition to each other; a lifelike essence
that accrues some sort of indirect communication between the minds
of both.

2) The Birth of Venus painted approximately during the year 1482,

represented another popular Early Italian Renaissance using tempera
on canvas. The artist, Botticelli, indicated one of his popular
mythological beliefs in this one. The Early Italian Renaissance branches
off of Classical influence. Evidently, the pose of Venus can be linked to
the Aphrodite of Knidos, back during the flourishing Greek sculptures
around the 4th century BC. Not only was this painting influenced by a
Greek sculpture, but Botticelli also implemented the ancient Greek
concept of Contrapposto in Venus as well. Her pose is analyzed to be
impossible, since her weight is shifted too far over her left leg for her
pose to be held. Botticelli was known, just as the Early Renaissance, to
use inaccurate anatomical proportions.
3) Another Early Italian Renaissance painting but by Fra Filippo Lippe,
whom painted Madonna and Child with Two Angels approximately in
1460-1465 using tempera on panel. A characteristic of Early
Renaissance and how this painting correlates is that realism sinks in,
and any religious essence usually starts to fade- such as the halos,
used to represent divinity. Alike, figures start to blend in and represent
all normal human beings. Marys hairpiece, seen folded upon her head,
represents the constant detailed use of drapery presented in the Early
Renaissance. Additionally, Fra Filippos main patrons were the Medici
family, so the background represents an ongoing Florentine essence of
religious trait.

4) The Venus of Urbino (1538) was painted by Titian using oil painting on
canvas. This is a High Renaissance painting, and treasured to be one of
the most famous female nudes in art history. This is one of the first
reclining female nude in painting. Venus, a mythological character
seemingly known to be placed in outdoor settings, is placed in an
intimate, indoor setting in this painting. The High Renaissance starts to
deeply emphasize paintings that look into the eyes of the viewer; in
this case Venus is staring directly into their eyes, careless about her
nudity. This can be seen as an idealized trait Venus has, shes very
direct with her stare, and her body is flawless. Titian gives volume to
Venuss curves, and details the architectural elements such through
the vertical and horizontal lines in the background. Chiaroscuro is used
to add a delicacy to her feature; as well as enhancing the drapery
technique of the bed sheets. A linear perspective is also supported in
this painting through the rich colors and background tapestry to unify a
sustained composition. Titian was known to be a prominent master of
Renaissance art in Venice. He characterized the High Renaissance for
the use of harmony in color, used in portraits, mythological, and
landscape paintings.