Art Discussion: Analyzing Renaissance and Gothic Art in Europe

This discussion post delves into the characteristics of Renaissance and Gothic art styles, examining key artworks and their historical context. It begins by analyzing the 'Ghent Altarpiece (open)' by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, highlighting its Gothic style and triptych structure. The post then discusses the paintings found in Renaissance churches, particularly Giotto's work in the Arena Chapel, which depicts the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The post further examines the Franciscan churches, such as Santa Croce, and their architectural blend of Gothic and Early Christian elements. The post draws from the provided bibliography to offer a comprehensive overview of the artistic innovations of the period, focusing on the transition from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries in Italy and Northern Europe. The discussion provides a detailed exploration of the key features and influences in art during these periods.

Running head: ART – DISCUSSION POST RESPONSE
ART – DISCUSSION POST RESPONSE
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Author Note

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The posts that have been shared discusses the representation of the life in the Renaissance
ages as has been depicted through the pictures. The discussion on the "Ghent Altarpiece (open)"
a masterpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eycks reveals the characteristics of the gothic style of the
art that was followed in the thirteenth and the fourteenth centuries.
The piece of art is known to demonstrate the use of the triptych. A triptych generally
refers to the complex altar-piece that consists of one closed panel and two open panels. The
discussion on this piece of art reveals the conditions wherein the then style of art was revealed in
a proper manner. The discussion post describes the work of art in a vivid manner and helps the
readers of the post develop a proper idea regarding the piece of art that is found to be displayed
at the Cathedral of St. Bavo, Ghent, Belgium. The discussion tends to discuss the detailing of the
piece of art in a very vivid manner and thereafter tends to put forth an explanation in terms of the
issues that are evident within the "Ghent Altarpiece (open)" as has been created by Hubert and
Jan van Eycks.
The second discussion post discusses the paintings and the other works of art that is
found in the churches of the Renaissance area. The discussion post majorly discusses the
paintings by Giotto on the walls of a chapel. This work had later come to be known as the “The
Arena Chapel”. In this work of art, the artist, on one wall of the famous chapel, demonstrated the
story of The Savior, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mother Mary. The artist had painted on the walls
of the chapel the birth of Virgin Mother Mary. This piece of art had revealed the tastes of the
people that were presented during the Renaissance period. The other wall of the chapel portrays
the life story of Jesus, the several miracles that he had illustrated during his lifetime as well as
the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.

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The above image represents the simplistic nature of the Franciscan churches that were
presented in the thirteenth and fourteenth century during the advent of the Renaissance period in
the Early Modern Europe. The picture above depicts the church of Santa Croce (Holy Cross)
which was designed by the famous architect of the era, the Tuscan sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio.
The church is considered to be special in a way that it includes the features of the Gothic style of
construction as well as incorporates the elements that were similar to the architecture presented

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in the Early Christian Basillicas. The picture reveals that the church had further demonstrated the
presence of the features that are observed in the Italian structures. The overall structure of the
church represents the major features of the basilicas of the yester years and often are observed to
follow the traditions that were maintained by the Churches that were present in the early eras.

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Bibliography
“Chapter 13 Art in Thirteenth-and Fourteenth-Century Italy.” Janson's Basic History of Western
Art, by Penelope J. E. Davies et al., Langara College, 2017, pp. 276–291.
“Chapter 14 Artistic Innovations in Fifteenth-Century Northern Europe.” Janson's Basic History
of Western Art, by Penelope J. E. Davies et al., Langara College, 2017, pp. 292–309.