April 12 IFJM The Last Judgement in Initial C

The Last Judgement in Initial C

 A Miniature from a 20 Volume set of Choir Books 

Created for 

The Camaldolese Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Florence

 It was 135 years in the making

1370-1505 AD 

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An eye for eye, tooth for a tooth. "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye." Jesus said this in 30 AD. Ok I am paraphrasing, but you get the idea. 
There is everlasting peace for those who believe in love and compassion, even for our enemies. That is what this illustration is alluding to.

According to the sixteenth-century biographer Giorgio Vasari these illuminated texts were the most beautiful in all of Italy.  He even contemplated taking them for the Basilica of Saint Peter’s. as even Pope Leo admired them.

This pages has the  initial C on it which represents one of the responses for the celebration of the Office of the Dead. (who knew the dead had an office? I must look into other translation of this word) 

The response in latin

Credo quod redemptor meus vivit, et novissimo die terra resurrecturus sum, et in carnee mea videbo Deum, Salvatorem meum

The response in English

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 I believe that my Redeemer lives, and that on the last day I shall rise from the earth and in my flesh I shall see God, my Savior.

This song continues to be sung by the young and old in choirs all over the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg7aXEvCeXY

April 8th IFJM Communion of the Saints

Above is a sketch from the much larger painting received today.

Christ Glorified in Heaven

Fra Angelico 

Circa 1430

On loan from the National Portrait Gallery of London

This painting is a depiction of the Communion of Saints. Which is an idea that there is spiritual union available with all beings living today and those gone before. You don't need to be a saint to be part of this union. The "rule" is that you need to be baptized but I like to think you just need to be born. 

Pope Francis explains it better on this short video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOLYUWDa3rM

April 7th IFJM Lorenzo de Medici

Lorenzo de Medici
circa 1533

by Giorio Vasari

Lorenzo de Medici was born in 1449 and died in 1492

The portrait was painting Posthumously about 41 years after his death. 

It was commissioned by Alessandro de Medici a distant cousin of Lorenzo.

The painter Gioria Vasari was what you would call today a true renaissance man in that he mastered many subjects including that of a painter, sculptor, architect, and art historian. Vasari wrote a book called LIVES OF THE MOST EXCELLENT PAINTERS, first published in 1568 and later translated into English in 1912. Which is a good thing because I was able to download and read some of it last night. He wrote about most of the paintings that will comprise this exhibit. And as you can see he was a wonderful painter in his own right. I hope to have time to write him a nice biography next to this painting as he is truly the father of Art History. It is one thing to be a wonderful painter, but then to also write about and hold in great esteem other painters, now that is something!

Lorenzo, the subject of this painting was known as a great patron of the arts. And he could sure afford to be one as he is from one of the wealthiest families in Florence. Along with his grandfather Cosimo de Medici they donated more than 663,000 florins or $460 million US dollars. He had 10 children and died ironically died April 8th which is tomorrow! His body's final resting place is found beneath Michelangelo’s the statue of Madonna.  A quick internet search has revealed many portraits of this famous man as  he is featured in  art by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Andrea del Verroccohio, Girolamo Macchetti, as well as on a coin from Florence around that time.

He was known to have a broad frame, short legs, a squashed nose, short sighted and a harsh voice. With such a description I should have great fun drawing his likeness. 

Here is a collage of my sketches. I decided to just paint only choice bits using my Tombo marker and paintbrush.

April 6th IFJM The Seven Liberal Arts Part 2 of 2

Logic

This is a drawing of Aristotle circa 300BC

This is part of a sketch from a painting called “Aristotle teaching Alexander”

by Charles Leplante 1866AD 

Rhetoric

This is a drawing of Cicero as a child. circa 30 AD

The part of a sketch from a Fresco called 

“The Young Cicero Reading”

by Vincenzo Foppa around 1464 AD

Grammar

This is a drawing of Aelious Donatus around 300AD

He is considered the father of grammar and 

was also a teacher of Saint Jerome

The is sketch is a portion of The Seven Liberal Arts by Domenico di Michelino

April 5th IFJM The Seven Liberal Arts Part 1 of 2

The Seven Liberal Arts by Domenico di Michelino

circa 1460

On loan from the Lourve

Today's shipment is from the Louvre! This painting was completed by a fan of  Fra Angelico named,  Domenico di Michelino as he illustrates and celebrates the fathers of the seven liberal arts; Math, Geometry, Music, Astronomy, Logic, Rhetoric, and Grammar. 

I have taken this opportunity to sketch each discipline separately, drawing from many source materials. 

Math

This is a drawing of Pythagorus. Born in the 500 BC
The sketch is a portion of a painting 
entitled The School of Athens 
a painting by Raphael Sanzio da Urbino circa 1510 AD

It’s location is at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City

Geometry

This is a drawing of Euclid. Born around 300BC
This is a sketch from painting found on the internet with source info available.

Music

This is a drawing of Tubal Cain. A  biblical figure Genesis 4:22

The is sketch is from a Fresco by Andrea di Bonaiuto

Tubal Cain forged Brass and other metals allowing for the creation of musical  instruments.

Astronomy

This is a drawing of Claudius Ptolemy Born around 100AD

The is sketch is an old Door Panel Painting 

I will draw the rest tomorrow as this afternoon I am going to meet with the installation folks and start discussing the lighting. But I look forward to drawing all seven!


Izzy McDougal

April 4th IFJM Can Science Measure Everything?

April 4th

Quote of the day

 Choose humanity, humility and piety.

Fra Angelico

Perhaps the three figures found below the cross are emulating these three values that held together Fra Angelico's life. 

Lorenzo Monaco, a famous illuminator,  is said to have taught Fra Angelico to paint. I love the simple lines as they beg the to be copied. I have requested a work from Lorenzo Monaco for this exhibit. I hope it comes in the next few days. 

Our painter  had a famous patron by the name of Cosimo De Medici. The De Medici family were wealthy bankers and art patrons who funded much of this early renaissance period in Florence. I also hope I receive some art work that features this family. 

But today I have to ask this question?

Can Science Measure everything?

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