Leonardo vs. Michelangelo
Leonardo versus Michelangelo
Violet Jane Greeley
Art Appreciation ART 101
Carrie Ann Wills
November 13, 2012
Da Vinci versus Michelangelo
Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simone shared many similarities. Both were painters, sculptors, and poets. They both had a tendency to leave their works incomplete. Both artists quickly surpassed the talents of their instructors and achieved fame with ease. In addition, both artists were known to have studied anatomy by dissecting human cadavers [ (Bambach, 2002) ]. Together they make up two thirds of the Renaissance’s three greatest artistic minds of all times, the other being Raphael. In this paper, I will first give a brief biography of each artist, then compare and contrast three works of art by Leonardo with three works of art by Michelangelo, followed by a discussion on how each artist made their own personal influence on the world of art in Italy and Europe during the 16th century, and provide supporting examples. Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452 and passed away on May 1, 1519 [ (Helicon, 2005) ]. Leonardo’s first painting and sculpting instructor was Andrea del Verrocchio, with whom he was apprenticed to and even surpassed in skill [ (Vasari, 2006) ]. During his apprenticeship to Verrocchio, Leonardo excelled at many skills including painting, sculpting, architecture, engineering, and mathematics [ (Vasari, 2006) ]. Still further, he studied subjects such as botany, geology, geography, zoology, anatomy, hydraulics and mechanics [ (Kleiner, 2010) ].
Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475 and passed away on February 18, 1565 [ (Jacobs, 1968) ]. When Michelangelo was fourteen years old, he was apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandajo in April, 1488 [ (Vasari, 2006) ] [ (Gombrich, 1995) ]. Before long, Michelangelo excelled in his artistic ability, surpassed his fellow apprentices, and at times even rivaled his master’s abilities [ (Vasari, 2006) ].
Violet Jane Greeley
Art Appreciation ART 101
Carrie Ann Wills
November 13, 2012
Da Vinci versus Michelangelo
Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simone shared many similarities. Both were painters, sculptors, and poets. They both had a tendency to leave their works incomplete. Both artists quickly surpassed the talents of their instructors and achieved fame with ease. In addition, both artists were known to have studied anatomy by dissecting human cadavers [ (Bambach, 2002) ]. Together they make up two thirds of the Renaissance’s three greatest artistic minds of all times, the other being Raphael. In this paper, I will first give a brief biography of each artist, then compare and contrast three works of art by Leonardo with three works of art by Michelangelo, followed by a discussion on how each artist made their own personal influence on the world of art in Italy and Europe during the 16th century, and provide supporting examples. Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452 and passed away on May 1, 1519 [ (Helicon, 2005) ]. Leonardo’s first painting and sculpting instructor was Andrea del Verrocchio, with whom he was apprenticed to and even surpassed in skill [ (Vasari, 2006) ]. During his apprenticeship to Verrocchio, Leonardo excelled at many skills including painting, sculpting, architecture, engineering, and mathematics [ (Vasari, 2006) ]. Still further, he studied subjects such as botany, geology, geography, zoology, anatomy, hydraulics and mechanics [ (Kleiner, 2010) ].
Michelangelo was born on March 6, 1475 and passed away on February 18, 1565 [ (Jacobs, 1968) ]. When Michelangelo was fourteen years old, he was apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandajo in April, 1488 [ (Vasari, 2006) ] [ (Gombrich, 1995) ]. Before long, Michelangelo excelled in his artistic ability, surpassed his fellow apprentices, and at times even rivaled his master’s abilities [ (Vasari, 2006) ].
References: Bambach, C. (2002, October). Anatomy in the Renaissance. Retrieved from Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/anat/hd_anat.htm Classics, D Gombrich, E. H. (1995). The Story of Art. Hong Kong: Phaidon Press Limited. Hartt, F. (1989). Art: A History of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture 3rd edition. New York: Harry N. Abrams. Helicon, P. (2005). The Hutchinson Encyclopedia of the Renaissance. Abingdon , Oxfordshire, GBR: Helicon Publishing. Retrieved Nov 4, 2012, from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/docDetail.action Jacobs, D Johnson, P. (2000). The Renaissance: A Short History. New York: Random House Inc. Kleiner, F. S. (2010). Gardner 's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective. United States: Clark Baxter. Lee, S. (2004, Sep 2). Turning 500: The Meaning of Michelangelo 's 'David ': Final Edition. Retrieved from Proquest: http://search.proquest.com/docview/357580072?accountid=32521 Nickerson, A Rebman, R. C. (2000). The Sistine Chapel. San Diego, California: Lucent Books, Inc. Rolland, R. (1921). Michelangelo. New York: Duffield and Company. Vasari, G. (2006, Feb). Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. Retrieved from ebrary.com: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/docDetail.action?docID=10124952&p00=lives%20excellent%20painters%2C%20sculptors%2C%20architects