Friday, 20th September 2013.

Hello everybody!

Today has been the second day of Social Sciences class and we have done several thinks. First Paqui has reminded us that we must have a Gmail account to write in the blog: those students who don't have one will have to create it as soon as possible.

Then, she has explained us how to use the blog: publish posts, comments, add imagenes (these must include the source), etc.

Next, we have copied the index of Unit 1: Modern Era (a continuation of the second year). It has three different points: 1)Culture and art in 15th-16th centuries. 2) The 17th century. 3)The Iberian Peninsula during the 16th-17th centuries.

Later, Paqui has shown us a Power-Point Presentation about the Renaissance art and we have started copying some notes, belonging to point 1: 

At the beginning of the Modern Era there was a revival of Antiquity and interest for the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. This interest was evident in art. The new art style of this period was  Renaissance art, inspired on Antiquity. Renaissance art appeared in the Italian Peninsula in the 15th century and it spread to the rest of Europe. It was the predominant style in the 15th and 16th centuries. Two styles: Quattrocento (15th century): Main development in Italy and the main centre was Florence. The main patrons were the Medici family. Cinquecento (16th century): Extension to Europe. The main centre was Rome. The main patrons were the Popes.

Architects used simple and classical elements such as rounded arch, columns with the classical orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian), pilasters, pediments, tympanum, frieze, metope, tryglyphs, etc. 

We have also included some new words in our Glossary: to bother, to scold, knowledge, antiquity, revival, Renaissance art, patron, to sponsor, The Pope, to commission, commissioner, austere, etc.

At the end of the class, Paqui has shown us some sculptures: the sculptors showed interest in representing human beauty and proportioned bodies.They were inspired by Greek and Roman sculptures. They sculpted different types of sculptures: busts, equestrian sculptures, portraits, tombs...

David by Michelangelo.
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/michelangelo-sculptures7.htm

She has shown us paintings too: the main subjects were religious or mythological and drawing predominated over colour. Painters discovered how to represent the third dimension (depth) into a two-dimensional space. This was perspective.



Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli.
http://www.abm-enterprises.net/venus.htm

Finally, Paqui has given us for homework to do a scheme about Renaissance art. We must include chronology and stages, main features, architecture (features, artists and works), sculpture (features, artists and works) and painting (features, artists and works). Today's class has been noisy, we should pay more attention.  

Have a nice weekend !!