There is no right or wrong answer to be graded against; instead, you will be graded on how you defend your analysis of the art pieces and the use of the resources (when appropriate).The church commissioned much of the art from the Renaissance, and art commissioned by wealthy patrons like the Medicis often portrayed biblical subjects. As the Baroque period progressed, new patrons emerged. Velazquez was the court painter for King Philip when he painted the secular but mysterious Las Meninas. Peter Paul Ruben's cycle of paintings for Marie de Medici was not of biblical scenes but of celebratory and dramatized scenes from her life. Middle-class Dutch patrons could purchase and even commission art for themselves, and their tastes often gravitated toward genre scenes.
How do patrons' social or religious status influences the overall development of art stylistically and in terms of its subject?
Provide two examples from this week's reading, each with a different patron to support your ideas.
Explain who the patron is and how their identity might have influenced the subject and style of the piece.
Full Answer Section
- Influence: Pope Julius II's desire to glorify God and the Church heavily influenced Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The vast fresco cycle depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis, the life of Christ, and various Old Testament prophets and saints. The monumental scale, dramatic compositions, and idealized figures reflect both the grandeur of the Church and the theological themes the Pope wished to convey. Michelangelo's artistic genius was undoubtedly at play, but the subject matter and overall message were ultimately determined by the religious authority of Pope Julius II.
- The Secular Patron and Personal Glorification: Peter Paul Rubens' Marie de Medici Cycle
- Patron: Marie de Medici, Queen of France.
- Influence: Queen Marie de Medici commissioned Peter Paul Rubens to create a cycle of paintings depicting her life story, showcasing her triumphs and lineage. Unlike religious patrons who focused on biblical narratives, Marie de Medici, a powerful figure in her own right, desired a visual celebration of her life and achievements. Rubens' Baroque style, with its vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and dramatic lighting, perfectly complemented the celebratory tone of the paintings. This cycle demonstrates how a secular patron, not bound by religious themes, could influence the creation of art that focused on personal glorification and historical narrative.
These two examples highlight the contrasting ways patrons influenced art. Pope Julius II, as a religious leader, directed the creation of a monumental work with religious themes, while Queen Marie de Medici, a secular patron, commissioned a celebratory cycle depicting her own life story. This showcases how patronage, both religious and secular, shaped the subject matter and stylistic choices of commissioned art.
Sample Answer
Patronage and its Influence on Art
The social and religious status of patrons significantly shaped the development of art throughout history, influencing both the subject matter and stylistic choices. Wealthy patrons, particularly those with religious or royal affiliations, often dictated the themes and styles of commissioned artworks, while the burgeoning middle class fostered a new genre focused on everyday life.
1. The Religious Patron and Biblical Narratives: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Ceiling