There are few artists more beloved in all of the history of western art than the three we're studying for today. The image of the Mona Lisa may be the most famous of all, having made its mark on our collective psyche in ways we don't even realize. Her creator, Leonardo da Vinci,was a true "Renaissance man," being a scientist, an engineer, and an artist; in fact, he felt toward the end of his life that he had failed because he had undertaken so many projects without finishing them. If a man like that can feel like a failure, imagine how the rest of us must feel (or not!). I'm inviting you to browse through an online museum of his works. Begin with the paintings, paying particular attention to the Annunciation and the Last Supper appears in the paintings during the 1490s. We have some of his drawings in the Bartlett selection; more of them appear through this website. I find the drawings of engineering themes to be particularly interesting.

It would be nice also to take a look at Raphael. I want you to begin with the early, pre-1504 paintings, and look at the "Spozalizio," translated as the Engagement of the Virgin Mary. This is important not only as a work of art, but as a piece of social history, depicting a ceremony that was customary in Renaissance Italy. Raphael's Madonnas are the most beautiful ever painted, some people say. Both sections of the Florentine paintings demonstrate Raphael's love for this theme.

For Michaelangelo, who perhaps is the most celebrated of all three, I want you to look at the Sistine Chapel frescoes. On the sculpture page, look at the David, the Tomb of Pope Julius II, and the Tomb of the Medici. Compare Michelangelo's David with Donatello's David.

From the Textbook:

• What characterizes the High Renaissance in art, as opposed to the preceding period?
• What marks the beginning of the Renaissance in Rome?

Homework and Presenter Questions:

1. In what ways would you consider Leonardo to be a true scientis? How might his approach conflict with the modern definition of science? What kinds of issues seem to concern him most? What do you think about these issues and his approach to resolving them?
2. In looking at the account of Michelangelo's relationship with Julius II, what impression does it give you of the Renaissance papacy? What do Vasari's anecdotes tell us about Michelangelo's character, and his sense of himself as an artist? Look for clues about Michelangelo's personality and beliefs.

Laurel Carrington carringt@stolaf.edu
Most recent update: January 26, 2012

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