Who is Mona Lisa and why is she smiling that small but intriguing smile? Another art critic notes, "The treatment of the mouth, upturned at the ends, makes the subject seem quizzical and curious. Legend has it that Leonardo had musicians present at all times to sustain the peculiar mood of his subject" (Kent, 1939, p. 24). Many artistic techniques make up the Mona Lisa, and it is perhaps the best representation of sfumato available today. Sfumato uses many layers of translucent color to create form and depth in a work, and Da Vinci used this technique in the Mona Lisa, especially around the eyes and mouth. Many people believe it is the sfumato that gives the illusion of a smile around her mouth. The perspective of the piece is enhanced by the pastoral background that gives a clue to her life and her situation. She is a beautiful but mysterious figure, and Da Vinci creates her bathed in shadow and light to subtly indicate her mystery. She is elegant, serene, and seems to represent the perfect woman in Renaissance times. Her slight smile symbolizes there is more to her than just a pretty face, but her serene expression seems to show that she is completely comfortable in her surroundings and life. The painting's small size surprises many viewers, and yet, the woman seems larger than life, even though she is actually smaller than life. The colors of the painting are muted and subdued, which was common at the time. It is clear...
While Mona Lisa is clothed, the shape of her body is well formed and realistic, as are her detailed hands and facial features, and the David is a representation of an ideal man in every way. Both figures incorporate natural gesture, as well. David casually reaches for his slingshot, while Mona Lisa holds her hands gently folded in her lap. The message and allegory is clear in both cases. Mona Lisa is represented as secure and completely at home in her surroundings, while David is represented as beginning to take charge of his. Both men incorporated the natural world in their works, (a realistic log stands behind one of David's legs at the rear of the statue), which makes the pieces more realistic.
" understand it quite well, your highness, as the classical form is one that most pleases me." You must study him well and long before you begin this piece, I think." agree, my lady, I agree." Please, I want this statue to captivate from all angles. I do not need to tell you, I know, of the lighting in my garden, you will no doubt take that into consideration. In shadow and
The Medici family was heavily involved in the excavation of priceless artifacts from around the Florence area. Exposure to these excavations, many of which were financed by Michelangelo's key patrons, undoubtedly had an affect on his affinity for classical art and art forms. Through his use of ancient works in his own art, as well as his propensity to copy the style of these ancient artifacts, Michelangelo managed to
Art History The clouds gleamed gloriously, as if they were smiling to greet newcomers to heaven Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti. The two artists sat rather impatiently in the heavenly waiting room, and they refused to pick up any of the literature that lay strewn on the gilded coffee table before them. This is ridiculous," grumbled Leonardo, who in spite of his age lacked no luster in his eyes. "I am
Art History -- High Renaissance raphael, da vinci & MICHELANGELO: THE SUPREME MASTERS OF THE HIGH RENAISSANCE Within a thirty year span, beginning approximately in 1495, the city of Rome replaced Florence as the Italian seat of artistic pre-eminence. A series of powerful and ambitious popes, most notably Julius II and those associated with the rich and powerful De Medici family run by Cosimo De Medici and later on by Lorenzo De Medici,
Brunelleschi has been one of the early fathers of the Renaissance, and, the first architect to build a building with reference to classical antiquity. The architect succeeded in proving his value through various building which came in disagreement with the laws that architects had had until the time. One of the greatest sculptors of all times, Michelangelo, became famous at the time that the public reviewed his first works of
His loyal servant, Urbino, died too in 1556. Though he was known for his temperamental temper, tagged as the terrible Michelangelo, no friends or companions, had complexity in dealing with others and only used boys as his assistants, his desire to glorify and serve God through his works was insurmountable. His solitude reflects his attitude to be wholly absorbed and engrossed with his craft, sacrificing even his personal happiness for
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