A Journey Through Western Art History
Romanesque (11th-12th Centuries)
Architecture
The most important Romanesque building was the temple, especially cathedrals. This religious style featured a Latin cross plan with three arches and extensive use of symbols. Buildings were made of stone and constructed with barrel vaults, domes, round arches, columns, and pillars. The Pórtico de Gloria is a prime example of Romanesque architecture.
Sculpture
Romanesque sculpture was primarily relief-based and unrealistic, often painted in bright colors. Sculptures were commonly found on the facades of churches.
Painting
Paintings from this period used bright colors and employed a hierarchical perspective. Figures were rigid and schematic.
Gothic Style (13th-15th Centuries)
Originating in France, the Gothic style was also religious in nature.
Architecture
Cathedrals were the most important buildings in Gothic architecture. They featured pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows, all arranged in a Latin cross plan.
Sculpture
Gothic sculpture was characterized by realistic figures in motion, often depicted in large altarpieces. Gargoyles adorned the exteriors of cathedrals. Stone was the most common material.
Painting
Gothic painting included miniatures to illustrate books, paintings on wood, and the use of bright colors and gold. Realism and movement were also emphasized.
Islamic Art (Started in 622)
Islamic art was aniconic, decorated with geometric and plant motifs. Calligraphy featuring poems and texts from the Koran was also common. Buildings were supported by columns and pillars, and notably lacked images, icons, pictures, and statues. Important examples include the Mosque of Córdoba and the Alhambra in Granada.
Renaissance (14th-16th Centuries)
Renaissance art emerged in Italy, striving to capture ideal beauty. It’s divided into the Quattrocento (15th century in Florence) and the Cinquecento (16th century in Rome).
Architecture
Renaissance architecture revived classical elements, emphasizing proportion, symmetry, order, and harmony. Filippo Brunelleschi, a prominent architect, sculptor, and painter of the Quattrocento, designed the Florence Cathedral. The Cinquecento’s greatest architectural achievement was St. Peter’s Basilica.
Painting
Renaissance painting focused on proportions, beauty, religious subjects, perspective, mythological scenes, nudes, and portraits. Key figures include:
- Masaccio (Quattrocento): Known for his realism.
- Botticelli (Quattrocento): Depicted figures with a sense of movement.
- Leonardo da Vinci (Cinquecento): Master of sfumato, renowned for his realistic depictions of nature.
- Michelangelo (Cinquecento): Created frescoes with dynamic movement and expression.
- Raphael (Cinquecento): Excelled in color, drawing, and composition.
- Titian (Cinquecento): Specialized in portraits and religious paintings.
Sculpture
Renaissance sculpture emphasized proportion and anatomical accuracy. Sculptures were typically made of bronze or marble. Ghiberti was a pioneering sculptor, and nudity became a prominent theme. Important figures include:
- Donatello (Quattrocento)
- Michelangelo (Cinquecento)
Baroque
Baroque art drew inspiration from classical forms.
Architecture
Baroque architecture featured curved lines, light effects, ornamentation, and rich, colorful materials. Originating in Rome, it led to the construction of squares and avenues leading to cathedrals and churches. Key architects include Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. In Spain, Baroque was characterized by rich ornamentation, with José de Churriguera as a prominent architect. Town squares were a typical feature of Spanish Baroque.
Painting
Baroque painting emphasized realism, a sense of movement and energy, strong emotions, and a variety of subjects. Different schools and styles emerged:
- Italian School: Caravaggio focused on the imperfections of individuals.
- Dutch School: Rembrandt was a master of portraiture.
- Flemish School: Rubens was known for his rich colors and sense of movement.
Sculpture
Baroque sculpture was characterized by realism, intense feelings, movement, energy, vitality, and the use of light effects. Bernini was a prominent architect and sculptor. In Spain, Baroque sculpture often consisted of altarpieces and images for churches and Holy Week processions. These were typically polychrome and featured expressive figures. Notable sculptors include Gregorio Fernandez, Alonso Cano, and Pedro de Mena.
Renaissance Humanism
Renaissance Humanism, a cultural and intellectual movement parallel to the Renaissance, marked the transition to the modern age.
- Humanists focused on human beings.
- They drew inspiration from classical literature.
- Humanism advocated for the pursuit of truth through reason and experience.
- Humanists were curious about all aspects of knowledge.
The Printing Press
Johannes Gutenberg‘s invention of the printing press made books more affordable and accessible, allowing humanist thought to reach a wider audience.
Developments in Science
Nicolaus Copernicus developed the heliocentric theory, which posited the sun as the center of the universe. The Church, however, rejected this theory in favor of the geocentric (Ptolemaic) theory. Discoveries were also made in human anatomy, including the circulation of blood. Other scientific fields that advanced during this period include geography, zoology, botany, and cartography.