Boticelli
The Adoration of the Magi
Image courtesy of
The National Gallery of Art, U.S.A
Time Period: Mid-15th Century
Geographic Center:
Florence
Background:
The fifteenth century marked the beginning of the Renaissance or "rebirth,"
a period when the oppression of the Medieval ages was lifted. As the terror
of the plague slowly passed, culture once again began to flourish. 1453 marked
the fall of the Byzantine Empire, leading to a great migration of the scholars
to Italy and the Netherlands. Thus Italy became home to many thinkers and
artisans. People began to have more freedom of thought and were able to be
more creative. Art became more important and not only the nobles and the religious
authorities, but also the rising middle class of merchants, bankers and contractors
were able to commission works of art. Italy was one of the first countries
to exhibit signs of the Renaissance through intellectual thought, discoveries,
and the new style of art.
Effect on Faces and Figures:
During this time, perspective drawing was discovered, incorporation the idea
of the horizon line and vanishing point. Many discoveries were made pertaining
to human anatomy as well. Proportions were on its way to accuracy, but as
seen when comparing Dontatello's David with Michelangelo's David,
the proportions of the Early Renaissance was not quite there. The perspective
of some of the figures changed as well. In Gothic art, figures generally have
their faces towards the audience. This changed in the Early Renaissance with
Botticelli's Adoration of the Magi where many of the figures have their
backs to the viewer.
Famous Artists:
Donatello, Piero della Francesca, and Sandro Botticelli
