For this week’s discussion assignment, you will explore the characteristics of Early Renaissance art in both Northern and Southern Europe. Address each part of the assignment below:

Part 1
Two of the great innovations of the Renaissance in painting were the artist's ability to depict a more contemporary world, and to create the illusion of a three-dimensional world in a painting. By studying and comparing paintings created in Italy from the fourteenth and the fifteenth centuries, you can see how this innovation developed:

• Giotto. Lamentation Fresco in the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel, 1305–06 Check out the series of lectures and video lectures on these frescoes on Khan Academy.
• Masaccio, The Tribute Money, c. 1427 Check out the video lecture on Khan Academy.
• Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, 1481 Check out the lecture on Khan Academy.

In a minimum of 2 well-developed paragraphs,

• identify and describe at least 3 specific details or elements that progressively illustrate the artist's concern for depicting a more natural world and for creating the illusion of three-dimensional space on the two-dimensional surface of the painting. You will need to use art vocabulary here like linear perspective, vanishing point, shadows, modeling, etc. Check out page 610 of your text. Hint: There is a whole section on perspective here! Say what?! Yes! Be specific as to where the artist has used the devices. Don't just say the painting uses linear perspective–describe where and how it is seen!

Part 2
As we learned this week, art historians analyze a work of art using a specific vocabulary to describe its physical and visual properties, and by interpreting its subject matter, symbolism, and socio-historical context. Select one of the following paintings:

• Jan Van Eyck, Double Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife, 1434 Check out Khan Academy's video lecture.
• Master of Flémalle, Mérode Altarpiece, 1425-28 Check out Khan Academy's video lecture.
• Hugo van der Goes, Portinari Altarpiece, 1474-76 Check out Khan Academy's video lecture.

For your selected painting:

1. In a paragraph of 4-6 sentences, describe the composition of the painting, including its use of color and light, and the representation of space. Explain why some artistic elements in the painting look realistic to you and some do not look realistic. Discuss whether the figures fit into the space, whether their movements seem believable, whether their clothes fit their bodies properly, and whether there are shadows that make sense. Check out Khan Academy's lecture on an introduction to the Northern Renaissance and what to look for in these works. You should see a difference between these works and the three works you examined in Question 1. Northern artists focus on different aspects–including light, textures, and pattern.
2. Read about your selected painting in the course textbook and/or through reliable online resources (the ones I gave you!). In a paragraph of 4-6 sentences,

• • describe the overall subject matter of the painting; What is it a painting OF? What story is being depicted? Who is in the painting?
  • the meaning of some of the objects in the painting; What symbols are used and what do they represent? What message is the artist trying to convey to his audience?
  • and any social, historical, political, and/or religious factors that are important to understanding the painting. This is where you discuss the cultural context and mention factors such as Humanism, Classical Antiquity, etc. What is the culture that produces this artwork and what can we learn about it?

Be sure to provide citations for any outside sources you reference in this part of your response.

Respond to both parts of the assignment thoroughly, making sure to use information from the readings and the lectures. All responses should be in complete sentence form, using proper spelling and grammar.