Art Movements: From Renaissance to Realism

Prior to Renaissance there were more of art era than art movements. We arrive at renaissance after Byzantine and Medieval art.

Study the PDFs below

(only for educational purpose)

Art Movements: Renaissance to Realism Part I

Art Movements: Renaissance to Realism Part II

Renaissance was the golden era of Classical Art.

Between 1400 and 1600, Europe witnessed an astonishing revival of drawing, fine art painting, sculpture and architecture centered on Italy, which we now refer to as the Renaissance(French for 'rebirth').

There was gradual move from grand high art to art that is more human and down to earth. The major art movements were

1. Renaissance

In very simple terms, the Italian Renaissance re-established Western art according to the principles of classical Greek art, especially Greek sculpture and painting, which remained unchallenged until Pablo Picasso and Cubism, broadly, modern art.

2. Mannerism

Mannerists introduced tension and strangeness.

3. Baroque

Focused on Grandeur, Details, Realism, Strong emotion, and Lighting contrast.

4. Romanticism

Romantic painters and sculptors tended to express an emotional personal response to life.

5. Realism

Realism was an artistic movement that began in France in the 1850s, after the 1848 Revolution. Realists rejected Romanticism. Realism revolted against the exotic subject matter and exaggerated emotionalism and drama of the Romantic movement.

Art movements, Renaissance, mannerism, baroque, romanticism, realism, with PDFs

Comments

Visual Analysis: SEMIOTICS

Visual analysis is a systematic and scientific approach to examining visual materials that goes far beyond casual observation. In our visually saturated world, images have become a inescapable universal language that shapes our perceptions, attitudes, and experiences. From the artworks adorning gallery walls to the advertisements lining city streets, visuals communicate narratives, evoke emotions, and reflect sociocultural ideologies . However, the process of seeing and interpreting visuals is not as spontaneous or natural as we often assume. As John Berger notably stated, " seeing is an active decision ," suggesting that the process of interpreting visuals is neither spontaneous nor natural, but rather requires conscious effort and critical thinking. The way we perceive and interpret visual content is heavily influenced by habits, conventions, and our individual perspectives. Serious visual analyses requires conscious effort and critical analysis to unravel the ...

Indian Political Spectrum: Left, Right, and Centre

Left-wing, right-wing, and centre are terms used to describe different positions on the political spectrum. The terms left-wing and right-wing originated from the seating arrangements in the French National Assembly during the French Revolution (1789). Supporters of the King and the traditional social order sat on the president's right side. These were generally considered more conservative and resistant to change. Supporters of the revolution and those advocating for a more egalitarian society sat on the president's left side. These were seen as more progressive and willing to challenge the status quo. Over time, these seating positions became symbolic of broader political viewpoints. The terms "left" and "right" were eventually used to describe the entire spectrum of political ideologies, not just those present during the French Revolution. Left Wing focuses on equality, social justice, and reform. Left-wing ideologies generally believe in reducing econo...

The Male Gaze and the Construction of Gender in Visual Culture

Visual culture encompasses the totality of images, visuals, and visual practices that shape our lived experience. It manifests through art, photography, cinema, design, and countless other forms, representing the ideas, customs, and social behaviours that revolve around visual materials. Visual culture is not merely decorative or informational; it is a powerful force that produces, circulates, and interprets visual forms to construct meanings, shape beliefs, and convey power within specific cultural contexts. From traditional artworks such as paintings and sculptures to mass media like film, television, and advertising, from digital platforms including websites, apps, and video games to everyday objects like fashion, logos, and packaging—all these elements communicate meaning and fundamentally shape our understanding of the world. The quality and impact of visual culture depend on two critical factors: the quality of the visual content created and the nature of the act of see...

Screenplay/Script Writing: Ideas, Stories, and the Script

Stories are Character/s, imaginary or real, aspiring and moving towards a need/goal through adversaries (achieving it with a big idea / super powers) will make one a hero). More elaborately, Character/s, imaginary or real, faced with a conflict/problem/issue/situation and trying to understand/overcome/change it in spite of difficulties / limitations / oppositions from within or without (overcoming/changing it with a big idea / super powers) will make one a hero). Please study the PDF below (only for academic use) Stories and Film Scripting PDF Stories have Shapes Storytelling is an art form that has captivated humans since the dawn of civilisation. Whether through oral traditions, written literature, or visual media, stories have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. At the heart of every great story lies a carefully constructed narrative that engages the audience and conveys a meaningful message. According to Kurt Vonnegut, stories have shapes, the main ones are Man in th...

Visual Culture

Visual culture is a multifaceted field that examines the pervasive role of visuals in shaping human understanding, beliefs, and behaviours. It posits that visuals are not merely reflections of reality but rather " constructed realities " that actively influence our perception of the world. At its heart, visual culture positions visuals as the reference and data for knowledge, beliefs, thinking, creations, behaviour, etc.; which in turn further shapes current beliefs, thinking, creations, behaviour, etc. Visuals are images/collection of images that are made to be seen. Framed (made) and put out. This highlights that visuals are not spontaneous occurrences but deliberate constructions, detached from the place and time in which it first made its appearance, says, John Berger . Examples like the contrasting Newsweek and TIME magazine covers of O.J. Simpson illustrate how different framings of the same event can convey distinct messages and narratives, underscoring the idea ...

Visual Analysis: LANGUAGE, ELEMENTS, AND GRAMMAR

Visual communication plays a powerful role in shaping our understanding of the world. Like written and spoken language, visuals employ a complex grammar and system of meaning. Study the PDF below (for academic use only) Visual language, elements, and grammar PDF At its core, visual grammar is comprised of fundamental elements like line, shape, colour, texture, space, and typography. These are the basic building blocks that visual creators assemble and organise using principles like emphasis, contrast, composition, size, proportion, balance, and lighting. Just as words are assembled following the syntactical rules of language, visuals are constructed by purposefully arranging and relating these elemental units. Lines, for instance, can convey a range of associations through their orientation and qualities. Horizontal lines suggest stability and calm, verticals impart a sense of strength and authority, while diagonals imbue dynamism and movement. The weight and curvature of lines fu...

Art as Representation

The concept of "art as representation" has been a cornerstone of aesthetic/art theory since antiquity, evolving significantly from its initial formulation as mere imitation to a more nuanced understanding of "aboutness." The historical development of this theory, primarily drawing upon the insights of Plato and Aristotle, and extend to the contemporary "neo-representational" theory, which seeks to encompass a broader spectrum of artistic expression. Study the PDF below (for academic use only) Art as Representation PDF The earliest and arguably most enduring theory of art in Western philosophy is the Mimetic Theory of Art, championed by Plato and his student Aristotle. Derived from the Greek word mimesis , meaning "imitation" or "mimicry," this theory posits that art is fundamentally a reflection of nature. For Plato and Aristotle, an artwork must necessarily be an imitation of something—be it a person, place, object, action, or event. T...

photo.graph.art.design

Search This Blog