Renaissance Sculpture free essay sample

A time of extraordinary beauty in the field of art was the period known as High Renaissance. There was a growing trend towards realism, and artists of the time aspired to achieve beauty, harmony and naturalism in their work. These qualities began to revolve around a movement called humanism, which was a philosophical school of thought that attached more importance to humans and less to God. In this respect, sculpture became so incredibly lifelike, and much more three-dimensional than in previous periods. Donatellos St. Mark reflects a change in artistic tastes: no longer was the highly stylized and unnaturally perfect international Gothic style the reigning artistic movement. It was slowly but surely making way for the individualism and realism of the Renaissance. An example of this is Donatello’s Saint Mark, ca. 1411-1413, which appears so lifelike that it is able to walk out of it’s niche and down into the palazzo. We will write a custom essay sample on Renaissance Sculpture or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Donatello was commissioned by the linen drapers guild to sculpt Saint Mark as the guild’s niche decoration in the Or San Michele. The linen drapers guild were his patrons, who Donatello attempted to please with the realistic draping of Saint Marks robes. Choosing to work with marble, he began the sculpture in 1411. Saint Marks’ perfect proportions strongly reflect his devotion to the classical style and stands in contrapposto, his weight on one leg, with the opposite shoulder shifted downward. His clothing is naturally draped, revealing the body underneath it. The other leg is bent, allowing the viewer to see the outline of his kneecap. A detail of his right hand shows the veins beneath the skin, giving the sculpture an almost palpable heartbeat. This realism that allows the viewer to get an idea of St. Marks body beneath his clothing was popular during the Renaissance. Donatellos St. Mark reflects a change in artistic tastes, as the highly stylized and unnaturally perfect Gothic movement became less desirable. It was making way for the individualism and realism of the Renaissance. Another example of High Renaissance sculpture is The Pieta, ca. 498-1499, by Michelangelo, a marble sculpture in St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Cardinal Jean de Billhere Michelangelo’s patron, commissioned the statue for his funeral monument. This famous sculpture is pyramidal in shape, with the head of Mary being the point, descending down to her feet at the base, and depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. Michelangelos Pieta is an important example of High Renaissance sculpture, as it also b alances the ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. As with Donatello’s Saint Mark, the fabric of the subject’s robes draped naturally, and the bodies are sculpted in contrapposto, with the weight of Jesus’ body resting primarily on Mary’s right leg, her left shoulder sloping gently downward. The realism of the facial expression, muscle structure and veins are breathtaking and unparalleled. The privilege of viewing the Pieta in person, in all its luminous glory, was truly the opportunity of a lifetime.