Historical Observations

…more artistic musings

EARLY on it was apparent that young MICHELANGELO was obviously exceedingly talented. But, in order for the talent to become accepted as a genius it was necessary to delve further into the trade, as that was how artisans were looked upon in late 1489, as tradesmen.

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MICHELANGELO had shown to be a gifted sculptor in his early teens. His father also recognized that his son needed to learn the business side of art that would elevate him to professional status. In 1489 MICHELANGELO’S father made arrangements for the 13 year old to study and apprentice in the then popular GHIRLANDARO’S workshop for 3 years.

During the Renaissance it was common practice for an apprentice to copy from studio sketchbooks depicting life drawings that had been drawn and supplied by the master teacher, in this case GHIRLANDAIO himself. Thus, young artists in a classroom setting would be able to learn and expand their craft. According to MICHELANGELO’S biographer, Ascanio Condivi, GHIRLANDAIO, soon became jealous of his young prodigy and refused to lend his model books from which other students had free access.

At nineteen the young sculptor was invited to Rome by Cardinal Riario to create the BACCHUS statue. Even though the project was brought to completion MICHELANGELO was refused his final payment. The cardinal felt that the completed statue rendered was too risque and inappropriate for his public garden. Later, the sculpture was purchased by the banker Jacopo Galli. Unfortunately, the early Bacchus statue did not earn MICHELANGELO his desired payment or gained him the desired recognition as a master craftsman.

BACCHUS 1494 ~ by Michelangelo

In 1496, two years after carving the BACCHUS statue, Michelangelo began sculpting the PIETA. The French Cardinal Jean Biheres de Lagraulas desired a sculpture for his tomb and agreed to provide 150 ducats for initial expenses. Beginning the project at twenty-one the statue was completed when he was twenty-three. It is interesting to note the PIETA is the only sculpture the artist signed.

PIETA 1498 ~ by Michelangelo

When work was desired by a patron in Renaissance Florence, it was considered a competition. Artists desirous to be selected were required to bid on whatever assignments that were being advertised at the time.

Such was the case when the DAVID project become available for bidding. At one point the more experienced accomplished LEONARDO da Vinci was considered to be the final choice by the overseers of the Office of Works.

Taking matters into his own hands by using self promotion, Michelangelo successfully convinced the 12 member committee charged with its construction that he was better qualified. His official contract was signed on August 16, 1501 receiving a salary of six fiorini per month with 24 months to complete the sculpture. Beginning the project at the age of 26, Michelangelo completed the DAVID when he was 29 years old. It was installed in front of Palazzo Della Signoria in Florence on September 1504.

David 1504~ by Michelangelo

MICHELANGELO signed the Sistine Chapel Ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. For his efforts he would receive 3,000 ducats, which equals approximately $885,000 today. The first received installment was used for brushes and pigments. Also, to purchase rope and wood needed to build scaffolding required to access the chapel ceiling. In addition, Michelangelo was required to pay his team a salary while providing for their living accommodations while in his employ.

Because MICHELANGELO had not touched a brush or painted in fresco for nearly 20 years, he needed to hired a team of experts more familiar using this procedure until he became proficient in the medium. Also, he needed to hire models to build up his portfolio with examples of nude sketches. These renderings would be used to represent over 300 figures incorporated into the final composition.

SISTINE CHAPEL Ceiling project completed in February 1513

THE LAST JUDGEMENT fresco painted on the back wall was begun 1536 and completed 1541 when the artist was 67 years old.

THE LAST JUDGEMENT 1536-1541

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In 1550 the 75 year old Michelangelo was paid 6 SCUDI, equal to $120 in today’s exchange, to guild 8 knobs on the Pope’s 2 beds. The master was listed by the papal secretary as just another employee on the Pope’s payroll.

Featured image: MICHELANGELO 1545 ~ by Daniele da Volterra

FURTHER READING:

The Life of MICHELANGELO. ASCANIO CONDIVI

MICHELANGELO: The Artist, the Man, and His Times: WILLIAM L WALLACE

MICHELANGELO and the POPE’S CEILING. ROSS KING

…more artistic musings

EXPECTING PAYMENT for services rendered can be documented as early as 1157 BC.

Just as in today’s work climate the Ancient Egyptian work force for Ramses III staged the very first walkout/walk off in recorded history. The Pharaoh’s skilled painters, stonemasons and sculptors refused to report to their assigned duties that continued the progress on Ramses III burial site in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS. Only until the agreed rations of bread, grain, meat and vegetables had been paid work would resume.

ANNENPAUTER, was a gang leader in Ancient Egypt during the 20th Dynasty. He organized a well documented heist, stealing 32 lbs of gold from a tomb located in the Valley of the Kings. One needs to wonder…was this for services rendered?

MICHELANGELO signed the SISTINE CHAPEL ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. Pope Julius II approved and for his efforts Michelangelo would receive 3,000 ducats, which equals approximately $885,000 today.

MODERN RESTRIKE of the ACTUAL DUCAT Michelangelo received in 1508

Below is a RENAISSANCE – FLORENCE 1400-1499 Gold-Florins SALARY with the current MODERN DAY VALUES.

Wages-in-Renaissance-Florence-in-Gold-Florins-converted-to-Dollars-at-Current-Gold-Prices

ANNE BOLEYN (1507=May 19, 1536) ran up an expense tab of £170 while waiting to be beheaded in the Tower of London. And,the powers to be (Henry VIII) expected full payment,

In 1535 HANS HOLBEIN, Henry VIII court painter, was paid £30 a year for his services. The favored court artist received an additional sum of over £13 to travel to paint the King’s future fourth wife, Anne of Cleaves. These funds were for setting up an off-site studio, equipment and supplies needed to paint the portrait. Compare this to the Bishop of Winchester wages of £5 a year with £10 annuity.

Sir Henry Norris, a close childhood friend of Henry VIII, at the time of his execution, May 17, 1536, between his wages and investments had an annual income totally approximately £1327 equaling $891,055 in today’s fiscal climate.

BELOW IS A LIST is a list showing value and what £170 could purchase in 1540’s England

anne-bolynee-debts-to-modern-day

Liz Magie created the board game concept that developed into the modern day game of MONOPOLY in 1903. Labeled as THE LANDLORD’S GAME, Magie finally applied for a patent in 1924. PARKER BROTHERS bought Liz’s ownership of the game for $500 without the receiving any royalties. In today’s dollars equals $11,500.

RESOURCES

Dressing RENAISSANCE FLORENCE: Family, Fortunes, and Fine Clothing by Carole Collier Frick

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…more artistic musings

This POST explores the history and subject of COLOR.

PIGMENTS have been applied to surfaces throughout millennium. During ancient periods, trained artisans used assigned palettes for public or individual applications. COLOR CHOICE was one of the important elements during the Renaissance.

SINCE starting my artistic journey, creating a simple pencil sketch or creating fine art using a full range of pigments, historical recreations or restorations, I have always been fascinated with the science of COLOR and how it has been used throughout history.

THE PIGMENTS of WHITE, blue, yellow, black, red and green used for tomb decoration during this time period had symbolic meanings.

18th Dynasty PAINTERS PIGMENT PALETTE found in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS

Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Pompeian Artisans, along with Renaissance Craftsman, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, Pointillists, and the Contemporary trail blazers of the modern age all had their particular color palette of choice.

WINSLOW HOMER’S Watercolor Palette

AS TODAY Lapis-Lazuli, the semi-precious stone from Afghanistan, was more precious than gold. Dating back seven thousand years it was only used in the royal tombs of Ur and Egyptian Pharaohs. Obtaining it was extremely dangerous, just as it is currently. The pigment made from Lapis-Lazuli is called ULTRAMARINE. In Pompeii a tradesman’s palette included excessive amounts of Cinnabar and Vermilion. While APELLES, Alexander he Greats’ favorite painter, would use Yellow OCHRE exclusively.

EGYPTIAN TOMB DECORATION ~ Attic red-figure pelike, Greece, about 360 BC

PORTRAIT of a YOUNG WOMAN IN RED, c. 90-120

Original WALL PAINTING Fragment, 9 BC, Pompeii (center-upper) ~ Yellow OCHRE (left upper) ~ Pompeii RECREATION Panels-CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

Throughout history, an individual’s color preferences might often extend to their personal wardrobe. One such example is LEONARDO DaVinci and his choices. It has been documented that this Italian Master favored wearing dusty rose and dark purple clothing, Among his clothing inventory dated 1503-1505 is:

“One gown of dusty rose..one dark purple cape..one purple satin overcoat..dark purple, dusty-rose and black tights…two pink caps”.

GINEVRA de’ Benci, 1478 ~ MONA LISA, 1503 ~ LADY with an Ermine, 1489, Da Vinci

OLD MASTER PALETTE ~ Watercolor

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ONE of the first hurdles in my personal art exploration was to learn and understand COLOR complexity and how individual color/pigments related to each other. Learning how to mix pigments successfully, regardless of the medium.

My Personal COLOR CHOICES ~ Various Oil, Watercolor and Oil Sticks

Curiosity lead me to study M.E. CHEVREUL (1786-1889) a French chemist who developed the “chromatic diagram“ based on the RYB color model. CHEVREUL studied extensively color and their complementary, optical effects and perception. By 1839 he successfully published his findings.

M. E. CHEVREUL’S PROMOTIONAL BROCHURE

CHEVRUL’S CHROMATIC CIRCLE of Hues

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SOON CHEVREUL’s scientific color theories became a strong influence with IMPRESSIONIST Vincent van Gough, Post-IMPRESSIONISTS, POINTILLISTS George Seurat (1859-1891) and Paul Sognac (1863-1835. These artist’s took advantage and applied theory of COMPLEMENTARY colors, optical effects and perception.

SELF PORTRAIT – Vincent Van Gough ~ STARRY NIGHT (1889) – Vincent Van Gough

SUNDAY AFTERNOON on the ISLAND of La GRANDE JATTE, 1884-1886, George Seurat

COMBLAT le CHATEAU, 1886, Paul Signac ~ ROAD to GENNEVILLERS, 1883, Paul Signac

ANDERS ZORN (1860-1920) was a Swedish artist know for his paintings having an IMPRESSIONISTS style so much so that he became known as the “Swedish Impressionist”. Zorn traveled internationally painting three American Presidents, Grover Cleveland, William H. Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.

Ols Maria, 1918 (upper left) ~ Summer Fun, 1886 (upper center) ~ Self Portrait (upper right)

MRS. BACON, 1897 ~Oil

This Master Artist became famous for using a LIMITED PALETTE of only four colors. While I have yet to experiment with ZORN’S four color palette, I have to admit that I am curious. Found excellent information on the Jackson’s Art Supplies site.

Yellow OCHRE, VERMILLION, Lead WHITE/Flake WHITE, IVORY Black ~ Color CHART

Vincent van Gogh ~ Self-Portrait-1887

RECOMMENDED READING:

The LOST BATTLES : Leonardo, Michelangelo And The Artistic Duel That Defined The Renaissance – Jonathan Jones

THE ULTIMATE MIXING PALETTE, a World of Colors – Jane Blundell

THE BRILLIANT HISTORY of Color in Art – Victoria Finlay

COLOR A Natural History of the Palette – Victoria Finlay

GUIDE TO THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS AND TO THE THEBAN NECROPOLISES AND TEMPLES – Alberto Siliotti

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...more artistic musings

CHANGE brings on new BEGINNINGS and one such change occurred with the prestigious BRITISH ROYAL ACADEMY regarding centuries of regulations.

The ROYAL ACADEMY rules and restrictions regarding an artist’s submission for approval from this organization had not changed for 400 years. Subjects were limited to idealized Ancient Greek, Roman and Renaissance periods. What began in 1640 remained unchallenged until 1840’s.

A PRIVATE VIEWING at the BRITISH ROYAL ACADEMY

By 1860 a significant change occurred with this art community.

Future Articles:

The DIXON TICONDEROGA pencil was created by Joseph Dixon, son of a ship captain, in 1812 from graphite, clay and water.

Early TICONDEROGA PENCILS

EARLY GREEK 5th century artists who created ART and KOSOS CRATERS.

SYRISKOS – painter – ATTIC (left)

…more artistic musings

WOMEN throughout history have contributed to business, art, science, literature, including obscure contributions of game design. Some of these female artisans received acclaim during their life time while others went unsung with little recognition for those contributions.

During the Renaissance a female was not allowed to study a live model in an Atlier setting as did males. However, SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA (1532-1635) became the first woman to achieve the prestige of being a professional artist, regardless of strict social restrictions. Angulissola accomplished the remarkable by becoming the court painter to King Philip II of Spain.

ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI (1592-1653) was a post-Renaissance artist. While still restricting the female artist, Gentileschi became widely recognized with her paintings of historical and religious scenarios.

To attend an Academy that taught applied arts in the 1850’s women needed the approval from her male guardian. One woman breaking with tradition was BERTHE MORISOT (1841-1895). Consequently, Berthe was the only woman to exhibit with Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley and Bazille at the first Impressions” SALON 1874.

SUZANNE VALADON (1865-1938) A French model that developed into an accomplished artist. She inspired Van Gogh, Degas, Lautrec and Renoir and was the mother of Maurice Utrillo a notable artist in his own right. She became the first woman admitted to the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts.

The game of MONOPLY was invented by ELIZABETH J MIGIE who applied for the patent in 1902.

Please check back as I continue with my research as more will be added in the future.

HAIL TO THE GIRLS INDEX

SOFONISBA Anguissola

SUZANNE Valadon

IMPRESSIONIST Pioneers: Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt

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EARLY in his career Michelangelo established himself with the reputation as being an industrious enterprising craftsman and not above forgery. Michelangelo signed the Sistine Chapel ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. For his efforts he would receive 3,ooo ducats, which in today’s market equals approximately $885,000 today. But, this commission came with a price.

MODERN RESTRIKE of the ACTUAL DUCAT Michelangelo received in 1508

MICHELANGELO and the Sistine Chapel are as recognizable as McDonalds and the Golden Arches. This Renaissance Master is positioned high above all others while most have never given a second thought to the man behind the myth. Michelangelo’s masterful contributions in the art world might be the only things most of us know about him. However, if we go beyond the bigger than life persona insight can be given in understanding the artistic personality and reveal complex family secrets. Throughout his lifetime these dynamics had a profound affect on Michelangelo the man.

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1565) was the second of five sons. His mother died when he was not yet ten years old, after she gave birth to his youngest brother. His position within the family was one of caretaker. The clan demanded the artist support the father, four brothers, including his aunt and uncle, financially as well as emotionally.

Early in his artistic career Michelangelo established himself with the reputation as being an industrious enterprising craftsman who was not above forgery.

He arrived dramatically upon the scene when he reportedly unearthed and subsequently sold an ancient Roman statue to Cardinal Raffael Riario. However, this was soon exposed as a fake: for, it was discovered that Michelangelo himself had copied the statute and buried it in a local garden. But, the outcome proved favorable for the artist because the Cardinal was impressed with his talents and agreed to sponsor and became the patron of the young Michelangelo.

As previously stated, Michelangelo signed the Sistine Chapel ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. But, this commission came with a price. Contrary to popular belief the artist did not lay on his back to paint as he stood during the ceilings execution.

Sketch From Michangelo’s Notebook

Examining correspondence we discover an insecure overworked technician. Writing to his father he complained of severe neck pain, crippling depression and was in dire need of funds owed him by Pope Julius II all the while suffering from doubt as to the competence of the execution. Alas, his words went unheard. It was discovered that while the artist was obsessed with the painting the fresco ceiling along with meeting the deadline for its completion it was revealed that his father had stripped his account of all monies leaving the overworked, exhausted, frustrated artist with insufficient funds to live on or much less finish the work.

The Man and the Myth – Uncouth, unkempt and not bathed – But, boy can you paint

RAPHAEL (1483-1520) and Michelangelo were contemporary rivals and working in Rome at the same time. The men were complete opposites as Raphael was considered the showman dandy completely outfitted with a cape while Michelangelo was an unpretentious master who wore the same clothes for months at a time and who rarely bathed. Raphael was constantly in gay spirits surrounded by an adoring entourage while Michelangelo often walked Rome’s streets alone with stooped shoulders, exhausted. At the same time preoccupied with his family and finances.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling was completed in 1512. It is interesting to note that Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor first and an inexperienced painter second. Life continued for the Renaissance Master as pressing family dynamics were not allowed to interfere with the ceilings execution. Consequently, today the Chapel ceiling is regarded as the most masterful example of human accomplishment achieved by a single artist during the Renaissance or Modern History.

The Art Historian

ART Frederick Hartt: A History of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture

Encyclopedia of Painting

Michelangelo And The Pope’s Ceiling – Ross King

Michelangelo – Howard Hibbard

…more artistic musings

...Stated in the ancient Amarna Letter EA 11 the King of Babylon wrote to Akhenaten, the rebellious 18^th Dynasty Pharaoh sent ten lumps of genuine lapis lazuli as your greeting-gift, and to the mistress of the house I sent twenty crickets of genuine lapis lazulia

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