Medieval and Renaissance Paintings of St. Francis



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

Ellie and Morgan: In the medieval painting, you can actually see St. Francis getting the holes in his skin. But in the Renaissance painting, you can only imagine the angel giving him the stigmata. [this is a fantastic observation by Ellie and Morgan, and it will be the basis for tomorrow's follow-up discussion].

Gracie and Hailey: In both paintings, the animals are aware of what is happening to St. Francis.

Tilly and Jack C.: The medieval painting is less realistic, because his head is pointed directly up, and yet his neck looks normal!

Maya G. and Maxwell: In the medieval painting, the road stays the same width. With linear perspective, the road would’ve gotten wider as it got nearer to you.

Evan and Ally: In the medieval painting, the trees in the front are the wrong size, and the lack of shadows makes them look unrealistic.

Jack D. and Kat: There are many ways that the second painting looks like a Renaissance painting. (1) The humans look way more realistic and proportioned. (2) The artist uses linear perspective. (3) The sky’s blue is a very vivid color; vivid colors aren’t found in medieval paintings. (4) The artist focused on nature, and it was a lot more realistic. (5) Bellini paid attention to the very smallest of details.

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