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Jan van Eyck, Double Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, Giovanna Cenami, 1434 82.2 x 60cm

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Keywords: Realism, Wealth, Passion for christ, Naturalism, Marriage, couple, religion, Artwork, Humanism, Humanistic

What is the subject matter and iconography?

This art piece showcases a full length double portrait depicting the cloth merchant Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, Giovanna. This piece of art is a perfect example of the Northern Renaissance oil painting and one of history's greatest western arts depictions.

What is the style?

The style has a very delicate and fabricated profile. You can see that the double portrait has what looks to be a wealthy merchant and his wife, and a lot of hidden symbolism. This merchant, Arnoflini, earned the opportunity to be recorded by the artist Jan Van Eyck. The wife, stands holding hands following Arnoflini, her hand on her belly as she may be carrying a baby. Toward the bottom of the picture stands a small dog, and in the Renaissance art it was renowned that dogs were a symbol of loyalty. The symbolism of the mirror, around the roundels at the edges of the mirror symbolize passion and death.

Who was the original, historical audience for this artwork? How did the subject and style satisfy their desires? How did it fit their historical values and way of life

It is hard to depict such a painting to see the exact purpose, but it was sought that the Arnolfini portrait was a showcase of class and wealth, and this piece of artwork could have been directed toward a marriage or a memorial.

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Parmigianino, Madonna of the Long Neck, 1535-40, Oil on wood, 216cm x 132cm, Ufizzi, Florence

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Keywords: Elegance, Soft , Size, Baby Christ, Mary, Realism, Humanism, Grace, Beauty, Christ

What is the subject matter and iconography?

This piece of artwork shows the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, as you see the angels by the side joining in. The slumber of christ sleeping on the lap of the Virgin Mary symbolizes the death of christ on the cross.

What is the style?

The style shows a soft, elegance, and emotion as Mary holds christ. One thing to note here is the sizing and the body proportions. You see that The Virgin Mary, with her long neck, narrow shoulders, very nice draped clothes, her body seems very big in the frame. The long neck symbolizes beauty and grace.

Who was the original, historical audience for this artwork? How did the subject and style satisfy their desires? How did it fit their historical values and way of life

This painting was commissioned by the woman Elena Baird for her family in the church of Santa Maria die Servi in Parma.

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Michelangelo, David, 1501-1504, Marble sculpture, 517 cm × 199 cm, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Italy

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Keywords: Monumental, Genius, Marble, Florence, Michelangelo, Tall, Independent, Symbolism, Goliath, God

What is the subject matter and iconography?

This sculpture, showcases a monument of high renaissance art. The art represents a strong shepherd boy named David, a biblical hero, who slays a Goliath. David hits the giant with a slingshot with one stone and kills him. This sculpture represents strength and independence in the renaissance.

What is the style?

Standing 5.5 meters high, The style features a colossal marble made in the early modern period as a precedent for the 16th century of art and beyond. This is the main artwork and prime example of the evolution of the people and bodies from the renaissance.

Who was the original, historical audience for this artwork? How did the subject and style satisfy their desires? How did it fit their historical values and way of life

In 1501 Michelangelo was commissioned to create the David by the Art della Lana, The David Sculpture was originally intended to sit in the Florence Cathedral but due to its size, the officials decided for it to be set in a public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria.

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Pieter Bruegel, Return of the Hunters, 1565, 117 cm × 162 cm, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Austria

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Keywords: Hunters, peasants, Mountains, Bruegel, Birds, Humanism, Nature, Realism, Fire, Composition

What is the subject matter and iconography?

The amazing painting leads us as the hunters on a beautiful and snowy day head back from a hunt back to their town. Off in the distance you can see possible children and adults playing and ice skating over the lake, you see the beautiful snowy mountains up ahead, and you see birds overhead.

What is the style?

This style focuses on a natural and a very rich landscape by Bruegel focusing on a very realistic and natural setting. You can see the warm houses with snowy roofs and a campfire off to the side with something ready to be cooked. Bruegel really did a good job portraying the reality for the hunters and also the citizens of the town as they enjoy the snowy day.

Who was the original, historical audience for this artwork? How did the subject and style satisfy their desires? How did it fit their historical values and way of life?

This painting was commissioned by a wealthy Antwerp banker named Niclaes Jongelink. Bruegel made this painting to show the hardship of peasants and their everyday life. This art doesn't contain much at all of any religious significance.

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Van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece (1432) 375 x 260

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What is the subject matter and iconography?

Keywords: Altarpiece, Panels, Lamb, Polyptych, Realism, Humanistic, Angels, Human Environment, Saint Bravo, Cathedral

Van Eycks, Ghent Altarpiece, depicts Jesus Christ, The Virgin Mary, and Saint John the Baptist along with saints assembled around the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mystic Lamb. Surrounded by fourteen angles and set in a meadow.

The mystic lamb, being the lamb of god, symbolizes christ and his death. The humanism in this painting is shown by the figures making an approachable human environment.

What is the style?

The Ghent altarpiece is a perfect depiction of the northern renaissance. This piece of art was considered to be a monumental defining moment of "new realism" of the Northern Renaissance Art.

Who was the original, historical audience for this artwork? How did the subject and style satisfy their desires? How did it fit their historical values and way of life?

The Ghent altarpiece was commissioned by merchant Jodocus Vijid as a development for the Saint Bravo Cathedral. The painting itself was dedicated to the St. John baptist in his city to celebrate his wealth.