Characteristics of the Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical art periods for AP Euro class ESAT High School

1. Renaissance
Meaning "rebirth" in
French. Refers to Europe c.
1400-1600. Renaissance art
which began in Italy,
stressed the forms of
classical antiquity, a realistic
representation of space
based on scientific
perspective, and secular
subjects. The works of
Leonardo, Michelangelo,
and Raphael exemplify the
balance and harmony of the
High Renaissance
(c. 1495-1520). Raphael
St. George Fighting the Dragon
1505
Oil on wood
30 x 26 cm (12 x 10 1/4 in.)
Musee du Louvre, Paris

2. Italian Renaissance (page 164)
A Theme: Individualism – Non-religious
people can be
celebrated in the art.
B Theme: Classicism – Inspired by
Ancient Greek and Roman
stories, myths, and styles.
C Characteristic: Balance – Artists
would try to have symmetry on
based on a center line.
D Characteristic: Perspective –
Ren. Artists created and
mastered linear perspective that
showed 3-dimensional images.
E Characteristics: Stand-Alone
Statues – Brought back the nude
form in statues.
F Characteristic: Realistic w/ detail
– Bodies more life-like with
more attention to real
movement.
G Characteristic: Geometric
shapes – look for triangles and
and quadrilaterals in bodies.
H Characteristic: Full Backgrounds
– Behind the image, artists
included full backgrounds to
show depth and perspective.

3. Northern Renaissance (page
166)
A Theme: Piety in religion – Told
stories about about living good
life and the sinner.
B Theme: Realism – Would show
people in real life events.
C Characteristic: Balance – Artists
would try to have symmetry on
based on a center line.
D Characteristic: Perspective –
Ren. Artists created and
mastered linear perspective that
showed 3-dimensional images.
E Characteristics: Paneled pieces –
Would have a picture between
three panels.
F Characteristic: Oil paint –
Northern Renaissance artists
mastered the oil paint.
G Characteristic: Detail – Attention
paid to folds of cloth and other
minor images.
H Characteristic: Wood-carvings–
In the north, stone statues were
rare, but artists would often
carve from wood.

4. Baroque
A movement in European
painting in the 17th and
early 18th centuries,
characterized
by violent movement,
strong emotion, and
dramatic lighting and
coloring.
Bernini, Caravaggio and
Rubens were among
important baroque artists.
http://stations.dualravens.co
m/oftheresurrection/stationsi
x/doubting%20thomas%20by
%20carravagio.JPG

5. Baroque (page 168)
A Theme: Return to Catholicism–
Art used to glorify the power of
the Catholic Church.
B Theme: Power to the Monarch–
Art was made to show the
power and might of kings.
C Characteristic: Gilded – Gold
was used a lot to show wealth
and prestige.
D Characteristic: Drama – Baroque
art was overly dramatic with
bold, exaggerated emotions.
E Characteristics: Intense lighting
F Characteristic: Sweeping
Movements – look for circular
patterns
G Characteristic: Elaborate Detail –
The art was often criticized for
being too busy.
H Characteristic: Still Life– Pictures of
fruit in bowls or flowers in a vase..

6. Rococo
An eighteenth-century
European
style, originating in
France. In reaction
to the grandeur and
massiveness of the
baroque, rococo
employed refined,
elegant, highly
decorative forms.
Fragonard worked
in this style.
Fragonard The Reader
c. 1770-72 Oil on canvas
82 x 65 cm
National Gallery of Art,
Washington

7. Rococo (page 162)
A Theme: The Nobility–
Attempted to celebrate the fun
of aristocracy.
B Theme: Playfulness – Tried to
show aristocrats at play in times
of leisure.
C Theme: Beauty – Tried to
demonstrate the beauty of
women.
D Theme: Mythology – Like the
Renaissance, Rococo artists used
mythological images.
E Characteristic: Light and Airy –
Used more pastel colors. Meant
to look softer than Baroque.
F Characteristic: Cherubs – Little
baby angels.
G
H

8. Neoclassicism
A European style of
the late eighteenth
and early nineteenth
centuries. Its elegant,
balanced works
revived the order and
harmony of ancient
Greek and Roman art.
Jacques Louis David
and Canova are
examples of
neoclassicists.
The Death of Socrates
Jacque Louis-David 1787 (100 Kb); Oil
on canvas, 129.5 x 196.2 cm (51 x 77
1/4 in); The Metropolitan Museum of
Art, New York

9. Neoclassicism (page 162)
A Theme: Greek and Roman
reimagining – Took
contemporary men and
replicated them as ancient.
B Theme: Classical subjects – Also
painted Greeks and Romans
themselves.
C Theme: Revolution – Tied to
democratic movements in
America and France.
D Theme: Anti-modern – Tried to
be like the old and reject the
new styles.
E Characteristic: People in poses–
People in paintings would be
posed as statues.
F Characteristic: Somber Colors –
Colors were more serious and
less playful with bold lighting.
G
H

10. Art Movement Lecture Assignment
• In team, you will be assigned a picture from either
Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance, or
Baroque Art.
• Research the painting.
– Look for Smart History videos by Khan Academy
• Complete the 3 PowerPoint slides for your image.
Email to Mr. Taylor at esathistory@outlook.com,
mtaylor@laalliance.org or mktaylor78@gmail.com
• Teach to the class.

11. Assignments
Artist – Piece Assigned Students
Botticelli – The Birth of Venus Eduardo & Jorge
Raphael – Philosophy: The School of Athens Jose, Manuel, & Natalia
Michelangelo - David Evelyn & Zyanya
Cranach – Allegory of Law and Grace Nicholas B. & Paola
Bruegel – Peasant’s Wedding Andrea & Christian
Durer – The Four Apostles Marvin & Marlene
Ruebens – Consequences of War Maria & Nicholas H.
Caravaggio – The Entombment of Christ Karen & Zoily
Bernini – Ecstasy of Theresa Alejandro & Samantha
Gentileschi – Judith Beheading Holofernes Stephanie & Natalie