ART HIST 1A03: Handing in Late Assignments

Please note that late assignments should be taken to the SOTA office (TSH 414) to be signed and dated by the office secretary and placed in my mailbox. Papers that are not signed and dated by office staff will NOT be accepted. Late papers are deducted by 5% per day. It is your responsibility to confirm (by email) that I have received the paper after delivery.

The SOTA office closes at 4 pm each working day.

GD

ART HIST 1A03: Byzantine Icons

During this evening's lecture I paused to take a closer look at Byzantine icons, their history, production and reception. When looking at such icons it is important to understand that they transcend time and, therefore, should not be bound within the limits of style or chronology. Byzantine icons are still made today following techniques that go back through the ages. The materials and methods of production follow tradition for a reason as faithfulness to earlier models is of the utmost importance.

We must also remember that these are not works of art bound by aesthetic concerns. They are considered to be living images endowed with miraculous powers. Here, for instance, is a recent story of a miraculous icon in Hawaii:

Miraculous Icon in Hawaii (News Report)

ART HIST 1A03: Office Hours Today

Hello everyone. Please note that I am unable to schedule my usual office hours today. My apologies for any inconvenience.

GD

ART HIST 1A03 Tutorials (Nov. 3, 4, 5): Painting Techniques

This week you will be looking at two traditional methods of painting. The first is tempera on panel and the second is 'buon' ('good') fresco. The TAs will be discussing these two traditional techniques and working with you to explore their benefits and limitations. As with the sculptural techniques discussed in the previous set of tutorials you will want to arrive at some conclusions as to why artists might favour one method of painting over the other.

To help you grasp a better understanding of the techniques I am providing the following video links:

Tempera Painting on Panel: Process Part 1   This video covers the initial part of the process of preparing a wood panel for tempera painting. Here the artist demonstrates how to size the panel and the applied layer of linen. (note: low volume)

Tempera Painting on Panel Process: Part 2   The second part of the previous video. Here the artist demonstrates a method of applying gesso. (note: low volume)

Gilding a Panel (applying gold leaf)   A good video demonstrating the application of gold leaf on a prepared panel.

Application of Final Colours (Time Lapse Video)I   The application of final, coloured layers of tempera paint using time-lapse video.

Buon Fresco Technique  A useful video demonstrating the steps involved in 'buon' fresco painting. Note that the techniques, here, represent those adopted by Michelangelo and thus mark some slight modifications of the traditional methods employed before the High Renaissance. See if they can be spotted during tutorial.

ART HIST 1A03: Reminder about Assignment Title Page

Just a reminder... please remember to indicate the name of your TA (or, if the name happens to escape) the number of your tutorial on the title page of your assignment.

Thanks,

GD

ART HIST 1A03: Mosaics of Ravenna

In our last lecture we had started to discuss the early Christian mosaics at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and San Vitale in Ravenna. Here is a short video in which the interiors and mosaics are highlighted to give you a better sense of their splendor.

Mosaics of Ravenna

ART HIST 1A03: Tutorials (Oct. 27, 28, 29)

The tutorials for this week (Oct. 27, 28, 29) will explore reductive and additive sculptural techniques. Your TAs will be assisting you to look comparatively at stone carving (reductive) and 'lost wax' bronze casting (additive). The following two videos will give you some insight into each sculptural method. Watch them and consider the differences between each technique. What are the advantages of one over the other? How might the materials and process be meaningful to the finished work in each instance?

Reductive Technique in Marble

Lost Wax Method