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87 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
4th century B.C.
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Romans take over Firenze and 11 other city-states
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5th century B.C.
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Fall of Rome
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1348
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Black Death
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1417
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Begins the reign of Pope Martin V - one final Pope after the Great Schism
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1439
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Council of Florence
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1473 - 1483
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10 year construction period for the Vatican City
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1527
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Rome sacked by Lutheran forces
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A Secco
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Painted on dry plaster
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Animas
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Definition: "soul" or animated life
Example: Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel |
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Annunciation
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Definition: the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the incarnation of Jesus Christ
Example: Paintings that include a dove often indicate that the virgin was conceived by the Holy Spirit Understanding: this is a basic term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted in Renaissance paintings |
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Apse
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Definition: A large, semicircular or polygonal niche
Example: found in Basilica-style cathedrals Understanding: this type of architecture is found in many Renaissance cathedrals |
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Arcade
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Definition: a series of arches with supporting columns or piers
Example: Basilica-style cathedrals Understanding: Basilica-style cathedrals were popular during the Renaissance |
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Arch
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Definition: a means of construction in which an opening, usually semicircular, is spanned by a series of wedge-shaped elements
Example: the Colloseum Understanding: arches, such as the ones found in the Colloseum, are a staple in architecture of the Renaissance |
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Arriccio
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Definition: rough coat of plaster
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Ascension
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Definition: the ascent of Christ into Heaven as witnessed by his disciples forty days after the resurrection
Understanding: this is a basic term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted in Renaissance paintings |
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Assumption
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Definition: the ascent of the Virgin Mary to Heaven after her death and burial when her soul was reunited with her body
Understanding: this is a basic term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted in Renaissance paintings |
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Atmospheric Perspective
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Definition: the use of color where the sky lightens as it distances from the background
Example: Da Vinci's Annunciation piece Understanding: using atmospheric perspective helps make the painting look more naturalistic, a key component of Renaissance paintings |
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B
I O R |
Definition: Beauty, Invention, Order, Richness
Example: Raphael's Transfiguration of Christ Understanding: Beauty, invention, order and richness are all key characteristics of high Renaissance art; using these qualities as guidelines helped form the narrative of the painting, another staple of Renaissance artwork |
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Basilica
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Definition: a general term applied to any church that has a longitudinal nave that terminates a apse and is flaked by side aisles
Example: Saint Peter's Basilica Understanding: this type of architecture is found in many Renaissance cathedrals |
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Biblia Pauperum
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Definition: "a poor man's bible" - church walls are covered in images depicting Biblical stories
Example: the Santi Apostoli - Church of the 12 Holy Apostles in Florence Understanding: Literacy rates were poor during the Renaissance, so this was a way to encourage knowledge of the Church and Bible |
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Blind Arcade
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Definition: Arches and columns embedded into the structure of the wall instead of separate from them
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Bottega
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Definition: a shop that an artist worked in with apprentices and paid assistants
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Cannon of Proportions
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Definition: One measure used to accurately form sculptures based on real-life measurements
Example: Lysippos' Apoxyomenos - the Scraper Understanding: in classical Renaissance sculpture, an artist would use the canon of proportions as a way to search for perfection |
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Capital
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Definition: the decorated crowning member of a column or pilaster where the lintel or arches of an arcade meet
Example: Basilica-style cathedrals or the Colloseum Understanding: Basilica-style cathedrals were popular during the Renaissance; the Colloseum exemplifies typical architecture of the Renaissance |
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Cartoon
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Definition: full-scale preparatory drawing on one or more sheets of heavy paper
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Castrum
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Definition: fortified village based on a grid system where the cardo, or north-south axis, meets the decamanus, or east-west axis, at the forum, or meeting point
Example: structure of Firenze when the Romans take over |
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Chiaroscuro
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Definition: the contrast of light and shade to enhance modeling
Example: Giotto's Maesta Understanding: Renaissance paintings, unlike the Gothic style before it, began to humanize artwork. Modeling helped assist in creating this humanlike aspect within paintings |
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Christian Decachord
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Definition: work published by Marco Bigerio delle Rovere, cousin of the Pope and adviser on the Sistine Chapel
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Christus Patiens
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Definition: "suffering Christ"
Example: Giotto's Crucifixion Understanding: the transition from Christus Triumphans to Christus Patiens directly exemplifies the shift from Gothic to Renaissance style paintings. The angle of the body shows pain, something not shown in earlier crucifixion paintings |
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Christus Triumphans
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Definition: "living Christ"
Example: Gothic style crucifixion paintings Understanding: the transition from Christus Triumphans to Christus Patiens directly exemplifies the shift from Gothic to Renaissance style paintings. Gothic style shows Christ as God, not man; he shows no pain or sadness in his face or body |
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Classicism
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Definition: the following of Greek or Roman principles in art and literature; emphasis on antiquity associated with harmony and restraint
Understanding: one of the key principles of the Renaissance is the emphasis on classical rebirth |
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Column
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Definition: a free-standing cylindrical support usually consisting of a base, a shaft, and a capital
Example: the Colloseum Understanding: the Colloseum is a visual representation of architecture during the Renaissance |
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Conclave
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Definition: where Popes are elected in the Sistine Chapel
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Continuous Narrative
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Definition: the use of the same figures repeated in a single scene
Example: Gentile da Fabriano's Adoration of the Magi Understanding: narrative in general is a key component of Renaissance work, so the use of continuous narrative to tell a story is common during this time period |
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Contraposto
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Definition: the naturalistic stance of an object where it appears more balanced
Example: Lyssipus' the Scraper Understanding: Renaissance artwork shifts towards more naturalistic artwork, making contraposto a common entity |
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Crypt
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Definition: the area beneath the presbytery of a church
Example: crypt of La Pieve which holds the head of San Donato |
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Desposition
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Definition: the removal of Christ's body from the cross after the crucifixion
Understanding: this is a basic term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted in Renaissance paintings |
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Dormition
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Definition: a sacred slumber that shows Mary is not dead but that she is indeed immaculate
Example: Lorenzo de Monaco's Coronation of the Virgin Understanding: this is an example of iconography, a style heavily used during the Renaissance to add tot he narrative of a painting. The use of narrative is a staple in Renaissance artwork |
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Diptych
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Definition: an altarpiece or devotional picture consisting of two wooden panels joined together
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Domas Dei
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Definition: "House of God"
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Duomo
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Definition: a cathedral in which the bishop of a diocese has a permanent Episcopal throne
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Enablature
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Definition: the upper part of an architectural order
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Ex Voto
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Definition: an offering given as a result of a vow
Example: the Pisa complex was built ex voto for the Virgin Mary after the Pisans defeated the Saracens in a naval battle |
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Foreshortening
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Definition: seeing something 2D in a 3D way
Example: the servant bent towards the viewer in Fabriano's Adoration of the Magi Understanding: foreshortening adds a humanistic quality to artwork, an important aspect of Renaissance paintings. The shift from 2D paintings to the use of form to create a 3D look in paintings is also exemplary of the Gothic to Renaissance shift |
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Fresco
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Definition: a painting made on wet plaster with pigments suspended in water so that the plaster absorbs the colors and the painting becomes part of the wall
Example: Pierro della Francesco's the Finding and Proving of the True Cross |
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Gologotha
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Definition: Aramaic word for "skull"
Example: the name of the site outside Jerusalem where Christ was crucified |
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Horro Vacui
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Definition: "the fear of open spaces"
Example: the Church of San Domenico in Arezzo Understanding: this pre-Renaissance church was decorated from top to bottom with elaborate colors, textures and arches. This practice shows the shift into the Renaissance ideal of "richness." |
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Iconography
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Definition: "image writing" that uses the identification of images with symbolic content
Example: Lorenzo de Monaco's Coronation of the Virgin Understanding: Iconography was used heavily during the Renaissance to help emphasize the narrative of a painting and underscore a deeper meaning within the work |
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Impasto
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Definition: raised brush strokes of thick paint
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Intonaco
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Definition: the layer of smooth plaster on which a fresco is painted
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Isocephalic
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Definition: having all head in a piece at the same level
Example: the bottom panels of Giotto's Stefaneschi Triptych Altar Piece Understanding: having all figures at the same height is very unnatural, so isocephalic work is an attribute of Gothic style paintings. As artists move towards the Renaissance style, levels become more natural and human-like |
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Julius II
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Definition: Pope from 1503 - 1520
Understanding: Julius II was an influential Pope who heralded high Renaissance style |
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Languid
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Definition: lacking life - God gives life
Example: the Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel |
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Lamentation
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Definition: mourning of a death
Example: the mourning of Christ's mother and his followers over the body of Christ after the decent from the cross Understanding: this is a basic term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted during the Renaissance |
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Lintel
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Definition: the horizontal beam spanning an opening between two Columns
Example: the Colloseum Significance: the Colloseum is an example of typical architecture in the Renaissance |
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Maesta
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Definition: "majesty"
Example: Giotto's Maesta Understanding: images of the Madonna and child enthroned are extremely prevalent during the Renaissance, and, during this time, Maesta paintings become more naturalistic through the use of modeling and the child-like (other than man-like) baby Jesus |
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Maniera
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Definition: "manner" - used to describe a sophisticated, artificial, or refined style popular in the 16th century
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Modeling
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Definition: the use of tinting and shading to make fabric appear as if there is an actual body underneath it
Example: Giotto's Maesta Understanding: Renaissance paintings, unlike the Gothic style before it, began to humanize artwork. Modeling helped assist in creating this humanlike aspect within paintings |
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Naturalism
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Definition: the attempt to mimic what we see
Example: atmospheric perspective, like seen in Da Vinci's Annunciation Understanding: Renaissance art explores the idea of naturalism. Artists constantly search for a way to make their paintings more naturalistic. |
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Nave
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Definition: the center aisle of a basilica
Example: Latin cross style floor plans Understanding: Basilica-style cathedrals were common in the Renaissance |
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Neo-Platonism
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Definition: a school of Greek philosophy established in Alexandria revised by Italian humanists in the 15th century that emphasizes the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle; mystical thought
Example: Botticelli's Birth of Venus Understanding: one of the key principles of the Renaissance is the emphasis on intellect which is depicted in the Birth of Venus |
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Nimbus
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Definition: "halo"
Example: numerous Renaissance paintings Significance: in Gothic style paintings, the halos depicted were more grandiose and bold. During the early Renaissance, halos in paintings became smaller and lowly saturated. This, perhaps, shows the shifts into the naturalization of artwork. |
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One-point Linear Perspective
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Definition: invented by Brunelleschi in 1413; use a vanishing point to create perspective - created by combining orthogonal (vertical) and transversal (horizontal) lines which recede into the background at the vanishing point
Example: Paulo Ucello's Battle of San Romano Understanding: the use of perspective did not surface until the Renaissance; this component shaped how many artists approached their paintings |
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Patron
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Definition: the person or group who commissions and pays for a work of art or architecture
Example: Michelangelo's Doni Tondo commissioned by the Doni family Understanding: until the high Renaissance when artists set the parameters of their work, the commissioner of the painting made the rules |
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Piano Nobile
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Definition: "noble floor" - refers tot he second story of a building intended for the owner and the noble family
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Prefiguration
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Definition: the way we connect stories to one another by connecting the events of the past to different events occurring at another time and place
Example: juxtaposition of Jesus and Moses in the Sistine Chapel |
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Putti
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Definition: a figure of a male baby, often winged, sometimes personifies love or cupid
Example: Botticelli's Primavera Understanding: cupid in Botticelli's Primavera explores the mystical world Neo-Platonic thought, a facet of the intellectual proponent of Renaissance artwork |
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Realism
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Definition: representation of the real world without idealization
Understanding: realism is less common in Renaissance art, as Renaissance art still explores idealism. I.E. Venus, the depiction of true beauty |
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Sella Gestatoria
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Definition: portable papal throne
Example: used on the tomb of Julius II showing him carried into the next world |
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Sfumato
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Definition: "smoky"
Example: Tiziano's Venus of Urbino Understanding: the dark, smoky quality of paintings is very Da Vinci esque and adds to the mystique of the Venus of Urbino painting. The painting explores a common theme in Renaissance artwork: the definition of true beauty |
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Sibyls
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Definition: Greek and Roman prophetesses who were thought to have foretold the coming of Christ
Understanding: this is a term involving the life of Christ which is heavily depicted during the Renaissance |
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Sinopia
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Red earth
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Spandrel
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Definition: triangular area between two adjoining arches
Example: the Sistine Chapel |
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Spoglio
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Definition: "spoils" - images or references to the past; Christian structure with Roman details added onto it
Example: the ship on the outside wall of the chapel by Pisa Understanding: these are visual clues of the classical revival, one of the key proponents of the Renaissance |
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Spolvero
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Definition: transfer of an image onto a wall by perforating lines of the cartoon
Example: the Sistine Chapel |
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Stacco
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Definition: technique to restore frescos by transferring images to canvas then transferring them back to the new fresco to be repainted
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Stanze
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Definition: "room"
Example: the Stanze della Signatura in the Vatican |
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Stritation
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Definition: Web of gold lines
Example: Decoration on Byzantine icons and the Italian religious images that they inspired Significance: Gold is heavily used in early Renaissance artwork, especially in life-of-Christ paintings and Crucifixion paintings |
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Studiolo
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Definition: "small study" - small, decorated chambers specifically built for men in the Renaissance where important works of art could be kept
Example: Tiziano's Venus of Urbino would have been kept there |
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Terra Verde
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Definition: "green earth"
Example: used for the underpainting of flesh - creates the unusual greenish flesh tones characteristic of this period |
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"The Golden Legend"
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Definition: a book published in 1266 by Jakopov Voragine depicting the lives of the saints
Example: Lorenzo de Monaco's Coronation of the Virgin Understanding: the use of iconography through martyrs is prevalent during the Renaissance, and "The Golden Legend" is where the stories come from |
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Tondo
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Definition: Italian word for circular painting
Example: Michelangelo's Doni Tondo |
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Transepts
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Definition: the cross arm perpendicular to the nave in a cross-shaped church
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"Treatise of Terms"
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Definition: book published in 1435 by Leon Baptista Alberti about one-point linear perspective as a mathematically quantifiable visible space
Example: Paolo Ucello's Battle of San Romano Understanding: One-point linear perspective was not introduced until Renaissance work, so it altered how many artists approached their works |
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Tryptych
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Definition: An altarpiece or devotional picture consisting of three sections
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Uffizi - "The Lives of the Various Illustrious Artists"
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Definition: "offices" built by Giorgio Vasari from 1565 - 1570. Vasari wrote the book which later became the basis for the organization of the Uffizi as the museum it is today
Example: each chapter of the book is represented by a different room in the Uffizi Understanding: Vasari, considered the first art historian, is responsible for the way we understand the progression of the Tuscan Renaissance through the use of his book |
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Virgo Lactans
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Definition: "the lactating virgin"
Understanding: a Renaissance image and use of iconography to depict how the church sustains the people |