The Renaissance was a rebirth of Greek and Roman culture, both of which placed the human at the center of the universe. Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's Ceiling from the Sistine Chapel are two famous artworks from the Renaissance that both reflect and respond to the resurgence of humanism in European history. Both depict the human body, but in very different ways.For this Case Assignment, give a formal analysis of these two artworks, focusing on how the human body is being represented. Use the required course materials to help you discuss, briefly,
(1) the history of Renaissance art and these two artists in particular,
(2) what humanism is, and
(3) how Da Vinci and Michelangelo approach the representation of the human body differently.
(*You can focus on any or all of the fresco paintings on Michelangelo's ceiling; The Creation of Adam being the most famous.)
History of High Renaissance (Video) and Humanism
Annenberg Media (n.d.). Art of the Western World: The High Renaissance.Retrieved on 2/20/11 at:
Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa, c. 1503-05, oil on panel 30-1/4 x 21 inches (Musée du Louvre)
Michelangelo and Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, fresco, 1508-1512 (Vatican City, Rome)
How To Write About Art: Art Criticism and Formal Analysis