Renaissance and Baroque

                  The Renaissance was a time of rebirth. The term of humanism is one that contributes to the meaning of the Renaissance. Humanism is the term used to described the attitudinal shift in Europe. As a result of this shift, factors of the Middle Ages, also known as the Dark Ages, such as religious fervor, was being challenged by logical and philosophical thought. Movements in art and literature also took place. For many Europeans, this was time a time of exploring the potential of the individual and the rediscovery of cultures that were forgotten by the world. During this time, art work is influenced by different factors. For example, in the Italian Renaissance the artwork is human centered because the following of Mediterranean tradition. Along with the Renaissance, the Baroque period was also another movement. Artist were using the techniques of the Renaissance to make art more dramatic and emotional. During this time period there was an emphasis on the use of intense light and shadow, scale, and composition. The two art works below are examples of the art work that were produced during that time.
                 The first art work is named the "Chess Players" by Liberale da Verona. This art piece was made in 1457. Liberale da Verona is an Italian artist and this piece is made of tempera on wood. There is a bit of a narrative to this piece as well. There are two short stories that are being told, one is that a maid, positioned near the window, has smitten a young man and the erotically charged game of chess (the lady is about to lose). The emphasis on the blond afros that are being sported is because it was the height of fashion during this time period.In this piece, the technique of shading is used which is recognized as the transition from the Medieval style of art in which the art was very flat.
                   The next art piece is composed of oil paint on canvas. This piece was made by Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. Titled "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer" was made in 1653. The amplified use of shading, a technique taken  from the Renaissance era, and foreshortening are seen in this piece. The medallion represents Alexander the Great, who was tutored by Aristotle. This painting was sold to a collector by the name of Antonio Ruffo. Also, the painting refers to Aristotle's comparisons of using sight and touch as a way of gaining knowledge.