Lindsay Jaffe

Mrs. Lucarelli
Honors Modern World History
15 January 2016
During the Renaissance era there were many characteristics of of art that categorized
them at Renaissance art. These three paintings from this era are ideal when discussing these
features. The first painting called Madonna and Child done by Florentine Giotto, is just one
version of many; it demonstrates the idea of Renaissance art because both the Madonna (Mary)
and her child (Jesus) have golden halos depicted hovering above their heads. In a Renaissance
paintings, significant figures would have these halos to show that they were an important part of
the era even in just a slight way. It is evident that these two are still very important today, as well
as during this time. The halos can be seen in many different paintings and whenever they are
seen people know that the painter wants them to view these figures as important ones. Also, the
work was done using tempera, a fast drying paint made with egg and some other materials. This
is used by many painters during the Renaissance period as well (NGA painting pg 1).
The next painting, Coronation of the Virgin with Six Angels by Agnolo Gaddi portrays
certain Renaissance features. One is that tempera is used but there are a few others as well. One
other attribute used in paintings from the Renaissance period is a hieratic scale. The painter will
use the hieratic scale if he or she wants the important figures to stick out in a crowd of not so
important people. In this particular painting it is extremely easy to see where the scale is being
used. Mary and Jesus are shown larger than the rest of the people because the ceremony that is
going on is all about them. The painter wants you to focus on them instead of the small

unnecessary people in this scene. Mary and Jesus are also painted with halos showing their
significance more so (NGA painting pg 1).
The last painting referred to as The Holy Family, painted by Giorgione includes the
element of a Renaissance painting such as an earthly and real to life landscape in the background
seen in the background. His use of naturalism throughout the whole painting captures the idea of
a painting during the Renaissance period. Through the window we can see a very nice landscape
behind the building they are in. A lot of paintings during this time have landscapes like this they
are just one way to depict naturalism in the era. Another characteristic would be the fact that his
people within the painting look like real people doing real tasks; another facet in some
Renaissance paintings (National Gallery of Art pg 1). Any painting done in 1300 through 1700
has at least one of these qualities.