Anwers to Some Questions on Paintings

Describe printmaking process used in this period

Printmaking is a fine art that enables an artist to produce multiple images from the original print. The adoption of new philosophy of humanism and classical values resulted in a sequence of changes in art creation. In keeping the concept of humanism, Early Renaissance purposed to achieve great realism in all their works. There are four main categories are namely, intaglio, screen-printing, lithography and relief that illustrates the different techniques of printmaking. In relief printing, areas not required for painting are removed from the smooth wood or plastic surface, leaving raised portions that are painted to make a print, woodcut is the oldest printmaking technique. Intaglio involves grooves or pits that are incised into the surface of the metal plate through a sharp object or a strongly acidic solution, application of ink on these depressions. Lithographic printing, invented in 1796 by Alloys Seinfeld, where a flat surface process executed on a smooth slab of zinc, limestone. Application of grease on these surfaces where chemical processing if done in the right way; it gives a duplicate the exact tonalities and textures drawn on the plate. Screen printing, was a commercial application developed in the late 19th century, it is the only one whose printing was in reverse of its matrix. The paintings were used to drive information to the older generation; they acknowledged portraits to represent different scenarios in their day to day encounters.

Describe the chartreuse de Champmol and explain its purpose

Chartreuse de champmol was a Carthusian monastery on the outskirts of Dijon. Establishment of the monastery took place in 1383 by Duke Phillip where it served as the cemetery of Valois Dukes of Burgundy, where it was meant to compete with that of Carprtian Kings at Saint Dennis, until 1791 when disbandment took place, during the French Revolution. Chartreuse de Champmol was where the burial of all the Dukes would take place. Since its foundation it became a showcase for European art up to date it forms a major tourist attraction

Discuss the significance of portraiture in this period and Jan Van Eycks

Use of portraits was one of the main modes of communication that the older generation used to communicate, easily and efficiently. Jan Von Eyck Is greatly remember for his discovery of a portrait highly regarded in their places of worship as a holy representation in their religious beliefs, he perfected the newly developed technique of oil painting, he did naturalistic panel paintings, which made extensive use of disguised religious symbols. His main achievement was the altarpiece at Ghent in the cathedral, a very adorable mystic lamb. The portrait was considered to be one of the best paintings that had a religious implication. The portraits intermingled between the secular setting and the sacred setting, there was no clear distinction between the two.

Describe the intermingling of the secular and the sacred in Flemish Art

The Northern painters were not interested in the discovery of new modes of painting; it remained attached to medieval traditions for quite a long period. Slowly, there was the incorporation of the sacred themes in the real world setting. In the sacred paintings, painters tried as much as they could to reproduce volume, color, space and light to get a natural outcome as much as possible. The rediscovery of the ancient spirit of Greece was not among their interest, they concentrated in the exploitation of the full potential of the oil paint.

Compare and contrast the patron portraits in the Ghent Altarpiece and Giovanni Arnolfini and his bride

Jan Van Eyck was the masterpiece behind the patron portraits in the Ghent altarpiece as well as the Giovanni Arnolfini and his bride. Although they were from the same person they had their similarities and their differences. The Arnolfini portrait was a wedding portrait,, the couple had removed their shoes in acknowledgment of the sanctity chamber they turned into a holy place, the bedpost finial is a wooden statue of his saint of birth implying a nod to the fertility sought in their marriage. The fruit on the window and chest implies fertility or abundance. They are expectant of full fertility and productivity. Ghent altarpiece also referred to as The Adoration Of the Mystic Lamb is the most influential painting ever. It creates an illusion of a holy or sacred place as the individuals are barefooted, the two portraits of a man and a woman alludes to fertility or childbirth, in this setting we see a desire to place religious scenes in contemporary settings. In the two pieces of work, there is the concept of the portraits being without shoes a symbol of respect for the sacred place.

From the Merode Altarpiece describe what the animals symbolize

In the Merode Altarpiece portrait, we see a domestic setting, but the two animals are monkeys which are known to be wild animals, they are used to reflect on the teachings of-of the Franciscan Order, in this scenario the monks were used to interpret the bible in a manner that their listeners understood.In this illustration we can deduce that both Mary and Joseph did not understand what angel Gabriel was talking about but God had provided a way in which the couple would come to terms with the prophecy. Symbols of sacred importance dominate the annunciation scene alluding the delivery of a great message.

Describe the symbols in the Master of Flemalles Merode Altar and state how they relate with Netherland Household

The angel of God has entered the room and is about to break the news to the Virgin Mary. We see golden rays that are pouring through the left oculus that represents a miniature figure with a cross. On the right side we see Joseph, the carpenter betrothed to the virgin as he drills holes in a board. There are mousetraps on the bench and in the shop onto the street and are assumed to allude to the references in the teaching of Saint Augustine identifying the cross as the devil's mousetrap. On the other side of the wing, we see a kneeling donor who witnesses the central scene through the open door, behind him we have a city setting, and a town and a messenger standing ready to deliver the message of the birth of the savior. An image of Christ's conception an interior, brought a message of hope and favor and therefore the owners would have purchased the triptych to use in the private prayer. This painting is one of the most celebrated paintings in Northern America during the late medieval and the early Renaissance. The triptych, the association with Tournai workshop of Robert Campin, also referred to as Master of Flemalle. A document indicates that he hired two workers to assist him with the work. It alludes that the altarpiece execution was in phases, this was as a result of the complexity of print. The Annunciation, which followed after at the workshop composition, was not commissioned. The donor got married in the 1430s, and thus the addition of portraits of his wife and that of the messenger. The central panel windows were initially covered with gold leaf and painted with a blue sky. The addition of the armorial shields followed later. The making of this portrait was gradual; it was under constant improvement and correction and thus ended up being the most wonderful portrait ever. Netherlands Households, also, used pictures and paintings as a form of inventory, this was used as an alternative methodology of historiography.