Medieval and Renaissance Paintings of St. Francis

Today the students looked at two paintings of St. Francis. The first painting is by an anonymous medieval artist, and the second one is by a Renaissance artist named Bellini. 

In both paintings, St. Francis is having a dramatic encounter with an angel, but the scenes are portrayed quite differently. We are using these paintings to talk more about the differences between medieval and Renaissance art (and in Washington next week, we'll get to see the Bellini painting in-person!). 

Here are some of today's awesomely articulated artistic insights:

Davis and Gabriel: The medieval angel looks like Jesus, and his wings are shaped like a cross.

Dearing and Jack D.: The medieval painter actually shows the angel. In the Renaissance painting, Bellini uses the light (coming in from the clouds) to represent the angel.

Davis and Gabriel: The Renaissance painting is much more subtle. For example, Bellini’s stigmata marks are more subtle. Maybe this is because Renaissance people were smarter, and you didn’t have to be quite so obvious about things.

Lily L. and Asa: In both paintings, St. Francis is surrounded by animals. Is this because Francis supposedly had the ability to speak with animals?

Lots of you: The medieval painting is less realistic, because Francis's head is pointed directly up, and yet his neck looks normal!

Lydia: In the medieval painting, some details in the distance are blurry and some parts are clear (such as the church), even though they are right next to each other.

James and Jack V.: The landscape in the background of the Bellini painting is the perfect level of blurriness -- not too much and not too little.

Eloise: In the medieval painting, watch out for the prehistoric mole rat!

Wynter and Carter V.: In the Renaissance painting, Bellini used perspective, shading and shadow to create a space that looks very realistic and three dimensional. Also, you can tell that he’s very interested in nature (for example, the detailed leaves and flowers).

Max and Lilly M.: The sky is so much more realistic and beautiful in the Bellini painting.