Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin - September 19, 2012

Rogier van der Weyden made this striking painting, Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin, somewhere between 1435 and 1440. This was made during the Late Medieval to Early Renaissance art period.  Like Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife, this was created during a time when portraits were widely used as an art form. Detail to color, expression, stature, and dimensions were greatly looked after. An interesting aspect to this painting, that was included in many Flemish paintings during its time, was the large window that panned out to the town in the background. The attention to detail of the town is amazing-the viewer can truly get a feel for the scene. The other aspect of the painting is that the portrait artist is pictured in the painting itself. Usually, this was not very common as portrait art just focused on who the portrait was being made of. It is shown that the artist is painting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child; for him to be in the same area with those two is something that would not be heard of making today. However, during that time, it was not uncommon for people to be painted along with the Virgin Mary and Christ Child. 

Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife- September 19, 2012

This piece of artwork is called Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife and was created by Jan Van Eyck in 1434. It was created in Flemish art form and portrays a middle class couple in their home. It is largely assumed that a wedding is taking place, due to the one candle in the chandelier, the puppy at their feet, the fancy clothing, and other characteristics. This was created during the Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Period, when portraiture was established as an important art form. Jan Van Eyck created an oil painting on wood. During this time, there was great amount of emphasis on detail, expression, color, and the natural world as a whole. We can see this through each of their expressions, clothes, and house ornaments. One of the reasons why I love this painting, is because I have actually seen this painting in real life in the National Gallery in London. It is even more beautiful in person. Another reason is the mirror in the background; it shows the reflection of the painter in the background (also a Flemish characteristic). This gave the painting a lot of character and alluded to the fact that Van Eyck was actually present during whatever transaction was going on. It is also interesting to note that the painter added his signature stating that "Jan Van Eyck was present here" instead of a simple signature at the corner of the painting. 

Birth of the Virgin - September 12, 2012

Another one of my favorite paintings from Chapter 14 of Gardener's Art Through The Ages is Pietro Lorenzetti's Birth of the Virgin. The scene is of Virgin Mary and The Christ Child. Made around 1342, this piece of artwork is from the Saint Savinus altar in Siena, Italy. It was made during the Renaissance Art Era, as seen through the pictorial realism of the painting. Within the painting, there was great ancient Roman mural influence (this was true for most of the paintings during this time period). The painting is showing a scene where the people on the left are waiting to hear the news of what is happening in the room on the right. My favorite parts of the painting are the depth and illusion created through the layered rooms and the triptych used. They both evoked a sense of realism. It is also interesting to see such great detail used in the layered room in the back, as well as on the column arches.  During this era, there was an emphasis on the natural world. We can see this through the vast use of colors, folds on the clothes, and the expressions on everyone's faces. 

-Alisha Arora 

Madonna Enthroned - September 10, 2012

Madonna Enthroned by Giotto Di Bondone is a beautiful painting of Virgin Mary with The Christ Child sitting on her lap, and saints surrounding the two. It was made circa 1310 and is from the Church of Ognissanti, Florence, Italy. This painting is said to be the first painting of the Renaissance. Giotto Di Bondone essentially revived classic naturalism by creating Madonna Enthroned. Personally, I was fond of the distinct border outline of the painting, the great attention to detail (especially with the clothing), and the scene portrayed of Virgin Mary and The Child Christ. The striking colors and dimensional angles (including the shadows) of Virgin Mary, The Christ Child, and the saints make this painting look as if it is real life. 

-Alisha Arora