Italian Art

I have chosen to do my next post on the art in Italy, I chose this country because of their major influence on the world during the times of the Roman empire and the renaissance. Also during junior cert history I really enjoyed learning about their culture and civilisaton. Italy has a vast and interesting past and some of the most famous artists that have existed come from this wonderful country. I have been their once a couple of years ago and I loved it, from the architectural art to the frescos and paintings I found it facinating.

One of the most recognisable forms of ancient Roman art is called a fresco. Frescos date back to 30,000 years ago and the oldest form of them originates from France. They were made by painting on wet plaster on walls. Many frescos were discovered in Pompeii and Herculanium in very good condition following being preserved by the volcanic ash and lava after the eruption of mount Vesuvius. They dated from the first century AD and on them were scenes of gardens and homes. Romans would have had simple furniture as frescos were the primary form of decoration. Floors were also often decorated with mosaics. Some were premade designs while wealthier Romans could hire people to design them. To make them the base would be put down first which was mortor. Then bits of stones, shells, pottery and many other materials were placed onto into the design, each piece as close to eachother as possible. Finally liquid mortar filled in the gaps, this process was known as grouting.

                    

Another time in Italian history which involves hugely influential art was that during the renaissance. And in fact the city of Florence is known as the birthplace of the whole era due to Lorenzo de' Medici, a great patron of the arts. During the renaissance time period of about the 14th-17th century huge advances in art were made. Subjects didn't just include religious topics, but also focused on the human anatomy, nature, mythology, portraits and everyday life. Realism was introduced, this was making their art very realistic by using techniques such as shading, perspective, foreshortening and sfumato (a technique using the blurring of edges). The most famous renaissance artist is probably Leonardo Da Vinci, whose works include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Other artists include Donatello and Michelangelo Buonarroti. 

This is a Self Portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci
http://www.science-facts.com/53/the-universal-man-da-vinci/