Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Quattrocento Architecture

The two architects of the Quattrocento who began the break with the Renaissance and earlier Gothic tradition were Brunelleschi and Alberti. Another important figure is Michelozzo.

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446)

Born and died in Florence, where all his artistic production took place. Although he was destined by his father for a notary career, he was soon able to engage in the arts. He began working in a goldsmith shop in Rome and conducted studies on Classical Antiquity.

He represents the first example of the Renaissance ideal artist with a solid humanist education and science (architect, sculptor, painter, goldsmith, engineer...). His work constitutes the starting point of Renaissance architecture.

Leon Battista Alberti

Italian Renaissance Painting

Spanning the 15th and 16th centuries, Renaissance painting emerged within a religious and monarchical society enjoying a prosperous economic situation.

The painting of this period is intrinsically linked to the rebirth of classical antiquity, the profound impact of humanism on both artists and their patrons, the development of new artistic techniques and sensibilities, and the broader transition from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Age.

During this era, the artist achieved high social standing, often becoming an educated and valued member of high society. Principal patrons included the nobility, influential rulers, and various religious orders.

Origins and Italian Development

While its origins can be traced to both... Continue reading "Italian Renaissance Painting: Artists and Techniques" »

Goya's Notable Works: Darkness and Social Commentary

The Third of May 1808

The Third of May 1808 (1814), oil on canvas, is in the Prado Museum. It is a history painting. The composition is organized based on illumination, with a clear dramatic function. It symbolically separates the illuminated area, where convicts wait to be shot, and the penumbra area, where soldiers are aligned. In the illuminated area, one of the condemned seems to absorb all the light, with strong expressive and symbolic meaning. The military platoon forms a closed diagonal.

Goya put all the elements in the service of expression. He reduced the color gamut, enhancing the drama, and intensified the climax, glimpsing through the language of the hands. Made in 1814, it was painted... Continue reading "Goya's Masterpieces: Darkness and Social Commentary" »

1. Historical Context

This exempt group sculpture, known as the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, was carved in 520 BC (sixth century BC). The artist is anonymous and belongs to the Etruscan style. The Etruscan civilization developed in mainland Italy, specifically the region of Tuscany, between the 10th and 1st centuries BC. It had an oriental origin and brought together the cultural and artistic traditions of the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Etruscan art was deeply marked by religious beliefs, seeking to obey the will of their gods in order not to fall into disgrace. As in Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations, the Etruscan people gave great importance to life after death. For this reason, it was usual to perpetuate... Continue reading "Etruscan Art: The Sarcophagus of the Spouses" »

Characters

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza represent the societal structure of their time, encompassing nobles, ministers, actors, clergy, peasants, and students. Don Quixote and Sancho are the central figures. Don Quixote's character is a parody of a chivalrous hero, but his ideas, values, and attire clash with the society of his time. His madness is central to the work and creates a conflict between reality and chivalry. Sancho, his squire, is an ignorant yet cunning man, representing the common people. The dialogue between Quixote and Sancho is a key element of the work. Over time, each character's personality influences the other, with Sancho becoming more like Quixote and Quixote becoming more like Sancho.

Narrative Techniques and Style

The... Continue reading "Don Quixote: A Deep Dive into Cervantes' Masterpiece" »

Legal Language Characteristics

Legal language is a specialized language used predominantly in legal contexts. It is characterized by intertextuality, a conservative function, and a form that seeks clarity, precision, and targeted communication within the legal-administrative sphere. Legal texts are not uniform; they vary across legislation, written administrative documents, notarial acts, and doctrinal texts.

Morphosyntactic Level

Noun Phrase

• Abundance of abstract nouns.
• Substantive accumulation of enumerations.
• Generalizing-value items.
• Specified adjectives.

Verb Phrase

• Utilization of the 3rd person.
• Present tense.
• Future indicative and periphrasis of obligation.
• Future subjunctive.
• Present participles (Latin-influenced).
• Gerunds (often overused).

Syntax

• Long

Neoclassical Art in Spain

Neoclassical art in Spain faced the challenge of overcoming a deeply rooted Baroque tradition. Consequently, the finest examples of this artistic style emerged in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Carlos III introduced the neoclassical aesthetic during his reign. Villanueva constructed the palace that now houses the Museo del Prado. Ventura Rodríguez designed the facade of the Cathedral of Pamplona.

Urban Planning and Neoclassicism

Excavations and studies of antiquity influenced urban planning. While there was no overarching plan, urban areas were modified to expand and regularize streets. Examples include the construction of the Brandenburg Gate, marking the main axis of Berlin's Royal Avenue, and Carlos III'... Continue reading "Neoclassical Art in Spain: Sculpture and Painting Analysis" »

The Quattrocento: 15th Century Italian Art

Architecture

Architects sought mastery of space by introducing simple, ordered elements inspired by Greco-Roman models.

Key figures in Florence included:

• Filippo Brunelleschi
• Leon Battista Alberti

Sculpture

Sculptors were interested in representing the human body, following classical models regarding proportions and the treatment of the nude.

Painting

The great innovations of Quattrocento painters included the rational use of perspective to represent depth on a flat surface.

Masaccio, Piero della Francesca, and Sandro Botticelli are among the most representative painters of this period.

The Cinquecento: 16th Century Shift to Rome

In the 16th century (Cinquecento), the artistic capital shifted from Florence to... Continue reading "Italian Renaissance Art: Quattrocento and Cinquecento" »

The Language of Heraldry Explained

The heraldic language encompasses all the symbolism and its composition to achieve full visual expressions of content and meaning. The base element of this language is the shield. It is built from symbols and colors within the shield, assembled according to specific purposes, principles, and rules.

These rules and the composition of symbols and colors form a visual grammar. When properly applied, this grammar defines the language of heraldry, organizing a language syntax where heraldic terms structure a visual language to define everything incorporated into armories.

What is an Armory?

An armory is the combination of the shield together with its exterior decorations. The shield is the basic concept around which... Continue reading "Understanding Heraldry: Symbols, Armory, and Shield Shapes" »

Islamic Art: An Overview

ISLAM: Islamic art flourished within diverse contexts, from settled communities to nomadic cultures. Islam originated in Arabia in 622 AD when Muhammad fled to Medina from Mecca. The religion's central text is the Koran.

Within a century, Islam and its culture spread through military conquests, reaching from India to Spain, establishing a relatively homogeneous culture. Key contributions include advancements in business, science, philosophy, agriculture, and urban development.

Urban Planning and Architecture

Urban life, characterized by narrow streets, centered around key areas: corners (groupings of buildings, shops, workshops, and markets), bathhouses, residences, palaces, madrassas (Koranic schools), and mosques (prayer... Continue reading "Islamic and Roman Art: History, Characteristics, and Influence" »