Concept Art from Secret of Kells

Material 3 Art Influence

The renaissance was a revolutionary era that gave birth to some of the greatest artist history has seen. With new techniques in drawing and painting, art was revolutionized. We still try to recreate pieces like the old masters did. We copy and try to achieve there techniques. The way they crosshatched, built under paintings and glazed paintings, are all techniques we use today. Pieces from Leonardo Da Vinci and Michael Angelo sometimes can seem impossible to recreate. Figure drawing classes are almost completely based off techniques taught by the old master. In fact, a lot of the classes actually make you recreate pieces by the old masters. I had tried to recreate Leda and the Swan by Leonardo Da Vinci. I failed horribly. I was not able to wrap my mind around the complexity and detail in the work. People will spend years trying to copy the old masters’ techniques.  It is funny, artist at the beginning were trying to push their art into the future, and people today are trying to achieve techniques mastered in the past.  

Material 3 Favorite Artist

The Book of Kells was what I found most interesting. It is one the most complex of the illuminated manuscript. It contains some the most beautiful and complex patterns with interlocking knots and a wide range of colors. You are able to see the influence of Hiberno-Scottish or Anglo-Saxon in the piece, with the presence of animal-styled figures and Celtic knots. I always imagine how they thought of the patterns in the book. Did they get the ideas from nature, or was it completely manifested from thought? It also holds some the earliest depictions of religious figure such the Virgin Mary. I always found interest in how the Book of Kells depiction of the Virgin Mary evolved into modern day depictions.  The Book was believed to be created on the island of Iona, and later transferred to Ireland for safety from Viking raids. It was later stolen. The Book was recovered at a later time. The page had slight water damage and the cover had been torn off, but the book was kept alive. I always wondered how it survived all the travels and where it was taken when it was stolen. The making the Book of Kells was a long and careful process that took great skill. I took interest in the process and amount of effort it took to complete it. In short, the Book of Kells not only interested me, but it inspired me.

Material S3 Summary

Art of the Americas

Humans traveled to the Americas during the Ice Age, from Asia. The artwork resembled that of Neolithic civilizations. It was here we find the origins of calendars, mathematics and early forms of baseball. The Teotihuacan would build giant grid-based cities, and the Mayans would build giant pyramids and structures for ritualistic purposes.

Early Medieval Art in Europe

The Roman Empire fell, and barbarians raided the lands. Angels and Saxons from Germany moved across Britain bringing with them skills in metalwork and glass work. These pieces were created with complex Celtic knots and intricate patterns. This style transferred over to early Christian art in the British Isles. The same style could be seen in their illuminated manuscripts.

Romanesque Art

Christianity began to spread across Europe. Churches began to be built in many locations. People would travel across Europe to visit these churches. They were built up with long barrel vaults, curved arches, and large apse, which was seen before in Roman architecture.

Gothic Art 

Due to the emergence of monarchy in France, we can see the rise of new architectural styles. Small towns gained more prominence and became more focused in art, and new technologies became present in architecture and design. Cathedrals were built with large ribbed vaults, beautiful stained glass, flying buttresses, and complex pointed arches.

Fourteenth-Century Art in Italy

Florence began to rise in wealth and power. Art and Literature was thriving. The culture was changing. Artist like Cimabue and Giotto were revolutionizing new styles of design. Art began to move a way from the common roman style, into a new modern style that was similar to Byzantine art.

Fifteenth-Century Art in Northern Europe

This growth of art culture could also be seen in Northern Europe. A presence of new style could be seen in painting. Realistic space was being set up through multiple perspectives. Different lighting and shading techniques could be seen in the artwork. With the development of oil paints and new rendering styles, artwork was becoming more realistic. Artwork was now being developed for the individual and personal accomplishments.

Renaissance Art

This was clearly a new age of thinking and reason. With Florence becoming more powerful, wealthy figures like the Medici family and the church began commissioning giant art projects. Artists were able to completely focus on their skill. Art, science and literature was main focus of the culture. This era gave birth to some of the greatest artist in history. Michael Angelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Raphael were becoming masters at sculpting, painting and architecture. Art was becoming used as a tool of knowledge, instead of just being for beauty.­­