Week 10: The French Renaissance, Baroque Periods

• Subdivisions of the French Periods
• Early Renaissance (1484-1547)
• Transitional from Gothic to Renaissance
• Middle Renaissance (1547-1589)
• Gradual elimination of Gothic forms
• Late Renaissance (1589-1643)
• Italian Renaissance influence
• Louis XIV was a Patron of the Arts
• He reigned for 72 years and 110 days which was the longest of any sovereign
• he was known as the "Sun King"
• Baroque Style (1643- 1700)
• Golden age
• Regency Style (1700- 1730)
• Beginning of economy
• transitional 
• Rococo Style (1730- 1760)
• eliminated classical order
• Uses smaller curves
• Had oriental influence
• Neoclassical Style (1760- 1789)
• Revival of classical architectural orders
• Use of straight lines
• Revolution and Directoire (1789- 1804)
• Transition period
• Use of Military motifs
• Use of smaller curves 
• use of Oriental influence 
• Empire (1804- 1820)
• Egyptian motifs
• Grecian and Roman decorations
• Restoration Styles (1830-1879)
• Revivals during the late 18th century
• drastic decline of good taste
• French Renaissance Historical Setting
• French invasions in Italy lead to strong Gothic 
• the French Renaissance had many successive styles overlapping
• Francois 1 was a patron of the arts and promoted the Renaissance by attracting Italian artists to work for him such as Leonardo DaVinci
• characteristics include
• large structures
• formal gardens
• lakes, fountains
• elaborate interiors
• Chateau de Blois
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• Chateau de Chambord
• Built by François 1 at the same time as his wing at Blois
• Medieval structure decorated in Renaissance style
• Partly designed by Leonardo Da Vinci
• Magnificent chimneys
• Dormer windows
• Double staircases that start on opposite sides and never meet
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• Architecture if France
• There was no need for new religious structures so palaces and chateaux were built
• Loire Valleys were created and were park-like settings
• Exteriors became incredibly important to show wealth and for aesthetic 
• Weather required steep roofs, many chimneys, and many large windows
• Roofs often had two slopes
• Mansard roof
• The interiors often did not reflect the exterior style
• Tables had Italian influence with Doric-like columns and inlays
• Armoire a Deux Corps
• Renaissance cupboard of two parts
• smaller cupboard on top
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• Modern Armoire a Deux Corps
• Lavinia Fontana, born in Bologna in 1552, was a prominent Mannerist painter and one of the most successful female artists of the Renaissance. Despite the challenges women faced in accessing formal art training, she thrived, influenced by her father's artistic background. Fontana specialized in portraiture, particularly of wealthy women, and her works captured both beauty and social status with rich colors and intricate details. She received numerous commissions from the nobility, and her oeuvre included religious and mythological themes. A trailblazer for future female artists, Fontana’s legacy highlights issues of gender and representation in art. She passed away in 1614, leaving a significant impact on the art world.
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