Topic 17 of 55: Gothic Art
Sat, Aug 8, 1998 (05:35) |
Riette Walton (riette)
The Gothic style began at the height of the Middle Ages with the architecture of the 12th century. Europe was putting the Dark Ages behind it, and moving into a radiant new era of prosperity. Christianity at this point was also entering a new and triumphant phase of its history.
In contrast to the Romanesque and Byzantine styles, the most noticeable feature of Gothic art is its increased naturalism. This quality became the dominant painting style throughout Europe until the end of the 15th century.
39 responses total.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 1 of 39: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Aug 9, 1998 (07:14) * 2 lines
Can you give some examples of Gothic artists?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 2 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Sun, Aug 9, 1998 (08:47) * 13 lines
Here goes - I'll also give examples of their best known works. Either you'll know them or of them, can look them up, or shall I post them so that everyone can see?
Cimabue Maesta (painting of the Madonna around 1280-1285)
Duccio (Holy Women at the sepulchre around 1308-1311)
Giotto (very famous painter who did the Deposition of Christ around 1304-1313)
Wilton Diptych (little is known about his work, but he was very good, and did a famous panel showing the Virgin Mary surrounded with angels c. 1395)
Robert Campin (Portrait of a woman around 1420-1430)
Jan van Eyck (The Arnolfini Marriage around 1434)
Rogier van der Weyden (Deposition around 1435. Wonderful painter.)
Hieronymus Bosch (Temptation of ST. Anthony around 1505. Famous for bizarre and fantastic images in many of his paintings.)
Matthias Grünewald (Crucifixion around 1510-1515)
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 3 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Aug 9, 1998 (11:49) * 2 lines
help me, here...i always thought gothic and medieval were rather synonymous..can
you clear this up for me?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 4 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Sun, Aug 9, 1998 (12:55) * 4 lines
Sure, Wolf.
Medieval art is also called Byzantine Art. This is an artform which in turn can be devided into two different periods. The first golden age of Byzantine Art started around 313, after 300 years of Christian persecution, when the Emperor Constantine recognized the Christian church as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Artists turned away from the Greco-Roman style of early Christian Art, to develop this entirely new style. You were right in thinking that gothic and medieval are synonymous, becau
e Byzantine art had a profound influence on Gothic art. And this Byzantine/Medieval period ran right through the Middle Ages to the time of the Renaissance. There came a second golden age in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Gothic Art started emerging by the 13th century, and denotes a period of time rather than describing a set of identifiable features. Though there are some recognizable characteristics of Gothic style (especially in architecture, of course), we must bear in mind that the period haad a time span of over 200 years. But to make it easier, we can use the term 'Gothic' for art that was produced after the Romanesque (Medieval) period, and before the Renaissance.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 5 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Sun, Aug 9, 1998 (14:28) * 2 lines
so an example of gothic architecture would be the gargoyles used to protect
structures from evil spirits?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 6 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (04:57) * 1 lines
Yes, absolutely. And these things actually served a practical purpose as well originally. Though they were very imaginatively done in the form of grotesque figures, they allowed the water from roof gutters to flow away without ruining the walls. With the introduction of lead drainpipes in the 16th century gargoyles were no longer really needed, and from then on similar sculptures, but not serving the function of gargyles were used to decorate walls.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 7 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (15:56) * 1 lines
I associate the Gothic period with novels and architecture. It will be interesting to see some examples of art.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 8 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (01:03) * 1 lines
There are indeed some fine examples to be seen - soon.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 9 of 39: wer (KitchenManager) * Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (13:21) * 6 lines
Maestį
by Cimabue
1280-85
386x225cm
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 10 of 39: wer (KitchenManager) * Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (13:21) * 2 lines
personally, I like the inclusion of the two art critics
at bottom center of this one...
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 11 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (13:51) * 4 lines
Stop!!! I can't take it any more - my tummy's beginning to hurt, and my husband thinks I'm doing naughty things to myself in front of the computer!!
The most prominent artist working in Florence at the end of the 13th century was Cimabue (c.1240-c.1302), who is traditionally held to be Giotto's teacher. 'Maestą' ('Majesty') is his best known work. The term 'Maestą', was used to refer to a painting of the Madonna and Child in which the figure of Mary sits on a throne and is surrounded by angels (and sometimes art critics at the botom!!). Dimabue's painting has such sweetness and dignity, there is emotional content in it, not just rigid, stylized fig
res of the traditional Byzantine icon. It marks the beginning of something new and exciting.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 12 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (21:11) * 1 lines
Is all Gothic art religious?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 13 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (05:35) * 1 lines
Just about - until the 15th century when gothic art started going in two directions. One was to the South (in Florence), and was the birth of the Italian Renaissance. The other took place in the North (Low Countries) where painting went through an independent, but equally radical transformation - the Northern Renaissance movement. But even during this period most of it was religious. I'll try and find an example of something without the religious element, and post it.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 14 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (05:59) * 9 lines
Okay, I've found some images, but I'd first like to post something inbetween, by an artist called, Hieronymus Bosch. This guy's work is absolutely stunning, and almost un-Gothic.
Hieronymus Bosch
'The Seven Deadly Sins'
1485
I think this is an absolutely fantastic painting. Makes you want to go out and commit all of them! Shall we have a guess at the sins of each section?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 15 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (06:01) * 3 lines
Let's start with the one at the bottom, in the middle, and work our way around in a clockwise direction.
So, this first one must be about slutting around!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 16 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (17:39) * 1 lines
i dunno about that one but one at the top (the dude at the table) is gluttony.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 17 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (17:50) * 1 lines
I'm having a lot of trouble with this game. Maybe it would help if I knew what the 7 deadly sins were!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 18 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (17:56) * 1 lines
pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, covetousness, and sloth
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 19 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (18:45) * 2 lines
Thank you! That might be anger at 10:00 (I'm having trouble w/the others, though).
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 20 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (21:06) * 2 lines
actually, the place i went to make sure i had the sins down right had a copy
of that painting!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 21 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (00:56) * 1 lines
So post us the answer, Wolf! 'Cos I can't tell either! I get distracted by the detail, and find myself losing concentration where the issue at hand is concerned.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 22 of 39: Wolf (wolf) * Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (22:03) * 1 lines
i have to go back and look but the one at 12 o'clock was gluttony for sure!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 23 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (01:11) * 2 lines
Hilarious that one, isn't it?
You could just post the url, and people can look it up for themselves.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 24 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (07:13) * 8 lines
Giovanni del Biondo
Altarpiece of the Baptist
14th century
Tempera on Panel
I find this a stunning work of art, though the central figure (can't figure out whether it's Christ or John the Baptist) is to me absolutely terrifying.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 25 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (15:43) * 1 lines
I wouldn't say terrifying, but definitely not amused.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 26 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (01:12) * 1 lines
Did you look at his feet? They are like the claws of a raven or something as he stands there on that poor chap. And the way they're sticking out from under the smart drapery he's wearing - sort of reveals a hidden savageness, that none of us will ever admit to out loud.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 27 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (07:01) * 9 lines
And here's a nice, grissly example of the delight people used to take in people's beheadings in those days...
Altichiero (c. 1330-c.1395)
'The Beheading of St. George'
1385
Not much is known about the artist. He was Italian, probably came from Zevio near Vernoa, was active between 1372 and 1384, and is sometimes considered to be the founder of the Veronese School.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 28 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Thu, Sep 3, 1998 (13:22) * 7 lines
Melchior Broederlam
'Presentation in the Temple'
1893-99
Thought very stern, I just love the colours of this one. Very rich, very deep.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 29 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Thu, Sep 3, 1998 (22:30) * 3 lines
Poor St. George! And after all he did for them, running off that dragon!
Is that supposed to be Elizabeth with John the Baptist? She's downright frumpy.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 30 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Fri, Sep 4, 1998 (01:01) * 1 lines
Yes. She reminds me a bit of the Duchess of York!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 31 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Fri, Sep 4, 1998 (23:16) * 1 lines
LOL! Except she was no saint!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 32 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Sat, Sep 5, 1998 (01:41) * 1 lines
Quite!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 33 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (07:42) * 11 lines
Giotto
'Deposition of Christ'
1304-1313
230cm x 200cm
Giotto was probably the first recognised genius of Gothic art. This painting is part of a cycle of frescoes in the Arena Chapel in Padua, showing scenes from the life of the Virgin and from the Passion.
Though Giotto was a Gothic painter, I find this one almost 'ready' for the Renaissance; what he presents us with is such an intense and moving drama, that it reminds me a bit of some Wagner Opera. I find His Mother very moving - a stately figure, holding the body close to her, controlled and tragic. Mary Magdalene is holding His feet humbly, looking at the marks of the nails. St John makes a wildly despairing gesture of grief. The angels swoop through the air, their faces filled with horror and sorro
. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea stand to the side, quiet and mournful, and Mary's companions wail and and cry the tears that she does not. Perhaps the strange control in her pose springs from a prophetic inner certainty that Christ would rise again.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 34 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (16:54) * 1 lines
There's something very fanciful about it.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 35 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (21:44) * 1 lines
How do you mean?
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 36 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (20:54) * 1 lines
It's just so melodramatic with all those distraught angels, and people standing around with their arms spread but their mouths closed. Pretty stoic bunch of mourners if you ask me. Of course I wasn't present at the Passion to really know what it was like, but somehow I suspect it was nothing like this.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 37 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (01:21) * 1 lines
But Gothic Art wasn't about presenting things as they really happened - it was about presenting them as they would have happened, had they happened in a proper manner!
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 38 of 39: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (13:00) * 1 lines
Ahh...then in that case, it was a very proper Passion.
Topic 17 of 55 [art]: Gothic Art
Response 39 of 39: Riette Walton (riette) * Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (00:39) * 1 lines
ha-ha!
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