Italian Renaissance: Federico Gonzaga (1500-1540)

 

Federico Gonzaga (1500-1540) was commissioned by Isabella d'Este Gonzaga. The portrait was of her son who had only a few weeks earlier been abducted and taken to the papal court in Rome. The piece was painted by Francesco Francia a renowned artist of the Renaissance who created many famous pieces including Madonna and Child. d'Este herself was a powerful political figure who was related to most rulers throughout Italy. The painting was of Federico Gonzaga one of her seven children. He was abducted as an exchange for the release of his father. The grief of losing her child, d'Este provided Francesco Francia with sketches of her son in order for him to create the piece. 

The painting was created in just twelve days, completed in 1510. Interestingly the piece itself has quite a tumultuous history having been stolen by order of Pope Julius II, later being returned to d'Este. She then gifted it to a friend in 1512. 

The painting was created using tempera paint first painted on wood and then later transferred to canvas and then transferred back to wood. 

The use of linear perspective makes Federico feel close to the viewer while the vastness of the background creates distance and feelings of loss. Francia uses color to portray innocence through the pink cheeks an lips. This helps create an imagine of security as he conveys strength in the use of browns when painting the eyes and hair. Finally the use of color is most powerfully used to create a sense of mourning through the use of black in Federico's clothing. Shape is used in the humanism characteristics of the painting that can be best seen through the details in the hand and sweeping curves on the face. The use of the shape of the wall in front of Federico hints at the separation between him and his mother. 

Personally when I first found this painting I was very drawn to the longing on Federico's face and the striking nature of his hair as well as the details on his berretta. However after researching his story and the nature of the painting it seems like a bad omen to own a print of this piece. If I ever was given the chance to visit the MET I would love to find this piece to appreciate in its physical glory. 

Works Cited:

"Francesco Francia"  National Gallery of Art https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1319.html 

"Francesco Gonzaga" The Met Fifth Avenue https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436333

"Isabella d'Este" Brooklyn Museum https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/isabella_d_este

Art Analysis

The Virgin of the Rocks was created by Leonardo da Vinci. It was commissioned in 1483 but not finished until 1508. The first element I noticed when I found this work is the use of color. We see a lot of muted color in the background and surrounding detail. The bright orange and green cloaks worn by the subjects draw the eye to the subjects. Orange and green are opposite colors and their representations as they are pulling away from each other in the painting can illicit conflict or indecision. Green represents a new beginning or reformation whereas orange can represent impatience, arrogance, or enthusiasm. Being a religious painting during the renaissance period these colors can point towards religious skepticism or divide. 

Shape is another important element in this painting. We see shape used to define landscape. Round ovals are used to depict large swooping rock formation at the top of the painting. As we find ourselves moving down the piece we see the round shape gives to triangle rock formations. This choice to more triangular shaped rocks as a representation of turmoil underneath a smooth, prosperous surface. This pairs with the aforementioned color to build upon these two forces good and evil or possibly right and wrong and the struggle they fight throughout the painting. 

The final element that should be mentioned is the use of light and shadow. We see lots of dark shadow in the cave like structure surrounding the subjects but also bright light peaking through the outskirts of the painting. The darkness of the cave can invoke feelings of protection from the unknown. The darkness allows our eyes to focus on the foreground, what is in front of us, while the light represents the outside and unknown. The light washes the background of the painting making it impossible to make out what is outside this cave structure. 

Renaissance paintings are deeply attached to the Catholicism. As someone who grew up attending a Catholic church on occasion with my father, I associate works like Da Vinci's The Virgin on the Rocks as with the faith. Virgin Mary is endeared and seen as the holiest saint within Catholicism. Paintings of the period are seen in Catholic churches throughout the world. Personally I am not sure I would want a print of The Virgin on the Rocks as I view it as a divisive work that questions the direction of humanity during this time. The juxtaposition of these art elements make me feel troubled towards the direction of my own future. 

Works Cited

Dr. Asa Simon Mittman, "Color," in Smarthistory, June 24, 2019, accessed September 16, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/color/.

Dr. Asa Simon Mittman, "Line," in Smarthistory, June 23, 2019, accessed September 16, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/line/.

The National Gallery, London. “Leonardo and the Virgin of the Rocks.” Leonardo and the Virgin of the Rocks | Leonardo: Experience a Masterpiece | National Gallery, London, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/past/leonardo-experience-a-masterpiece/

Welcome to Aidan's Blog - A Brief Introduction

Welcome,

    My name is Aidan Payan. I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. I recently moved back home after living in Flagstaff, Arizona for a few years attending Northern Arizona University. My love for Fairbanks and being closer to family brought me back and it has been an amazing decision. Fall in Fairbanks and the start of the semester at UAF is my favorite place to be. I am attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks in hopes to obtain my Bachelor of Accounting. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and going for walks. During the summer the ski trails on campus are one of my favorite walking spots but I enjoy find new places to explore around town.

    

My relationship to art mostly revolves around fashion. 

I enjoy learning about the history, references, and iterations incorporated in fashion design. Whether it is reading fashion magazines or watching interviews from my favorite designers. I also very much enjoy traveling and exploring the art around the places I visit. I posted two pictures that I took when visiting The Broad Art Museum in Los Angeles earlier this year. I highly recommend visiting if you are in the area. The free admission and countless pieces of contemporary art was a great way to spend a few hours downtown.