From Botticelli to the creator of The Last Supper. Exhibition “Da Vinci Code” in Minsk

The exhibition "The Da Vinci Code" with reproductions of famous works of the Renaissance is held in the gallery-cafe "Artel". The correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency found out interesting facts about the geniuses of art of that time and the most expensive painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

The greatest period in history, the Renaissance, gave humanity more than just artists. Masters of art combined knowledge about the exact sciences, nature, architecture, natural philosophy, alchemy and the human personality. They reinterpreted religious subjects, human nature and the world around them. A large-scale coup brought the representatives of the Renaissance worldwide fame, and interest in their works has remained to this day. Leonardo da Vinci, Giovanni Bellini, Raphael Santi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Sandro Botticelli are the brightest representatives of the era.

- The beginning of the era put protorenaissance, explained the guide Igor. Artists and sculptors began to tire of the strict, flat and gloomy medieval icons and turned to real life, volume and human emotions. We have two corresponding paintings: Giotto di Bondone’s Madonna Onisanti and Cimabue’s Maesta, dated as early as 1286. Already here the relief appears: we see the outline of the female breast, which is unacceptable in a classical icon.

Soon the world of art begins to change like a pendulum and comes close to exact realism and ancient traditions. The famous fresco “Trinity” by the early Italian artist Masaccio is considered one of the first works where mathematically accurate linear perspective was applied in painting. There are three sacred images: God the Father, Jesus Christ and the dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

- If you look at the original, you can clearly see the pedestal with columns, where, according to legend, the skeleton of the tomb of Adam is visible. It is believed that the blood of Christ was shed, leaked, washed the bones of the first man and freed him from original sin.

Time Botticelli

Meanwhile, the Florence School of Painting was actively formed in Italy, which later became the leading art direction of the Renaissance. The focus was a voluminous and realistic image of an anatomically expressive person. Artists sought to convey the psychological depth of images, turned to allegories and emphasized morality, morality and human personality.

So, Sandro Botticelli in the work “Pallada and the Centaur” depicted Pallas, who holds a centaur at attention by lush curly hair. He, in turn, bows his head, submitting to its unconditional power. This civilization triumphs over savagery.

In the center of the plot of another world-famous work by Botticelli – “The Birth of Venus” – the figure of a beautiful ancient goddess born of sea foam. She floats on the waves in a sink, which is driven by the Zephyr - the westerly wind.

- The use of many symbols, religious iconography and the absolute harmony of the composition as a whole make the work of the outstanding Florentine a real masterpiece for all time. It continues to be studied and deciphered until now, Igor said.

Mysteries of da Vinci

The central figure of the exhibition was the world-famous artist, scientist, sculptor, engineer, writer, philosopher, musician and, in the end, just a universal man - Leonardo da Vinci. Modern society can only guess how much knowledge and secrets he kept in his thoughts.

- Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is associated with many mysteries and legends. It is still unknown who it depicts: Lisa del Giocondo is just one theory. It is said that Leonardo painted the painting for 16 years because he could not sell it, but it is nonsense - he achieved the desired effect and did it. “If you remove the dark points of darkening of the eyes, the smile changes and disappears,” said the guide Igor.

On the walls of the gallery there are other works of the artist: “Lady with an Ermine”, “Vitruvian Man”, “John the Baptist” and the no less famous “Last Supper” – a dramatic, piercing and symbolic picture.

- Pay attention: in broad daylight, each character experiences the emotions that are inherent in him. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth.” One of you will betray me.”” And Judas tips the salt. Amazing drama. Linear perspective. Magnificent sfumato, concluded the specialist.

Sfumato is the invention of Leonardo himself. The technique involves softening the outlines of figures and objects, so that the image becomes smoother and softer. To do this, the artist used the play of light and shadow, working with contrasts.

- I often go to Artel because I really like Igor’s lectures. Even if I don’t like the artist somewhere, I still come to listen to him. Overall, this is a very interesting era. I was at lectures about Leonardo and read books about the Gioconda, but still came here and learned something new, shared the visitor Ekaterina.

Half-billion-dollar sensation

Special audience sympathies on the excursion to the "Artel" was awarded work with a mysterious and incredible story. November 15, 2017 was a landmark date for the art world: the painting “Savior of the World”, or “Salvator Mundi”, became the most expensive work of painting in the world. At Christie’s auction in New York, an unknown buyer laid out an unthinkable amount for it – 450.3 million dollars. By the way, this work is confidently attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

- The painting depicts Jesus with chestnut curls, watching the audience closely. In his left hand rests the crystal sphere, and the right is raised in a blessing gesture. The ball - the symbol of the ruler and at the same time the emblem of the world itself - is made of rock crystal. In the Renaissance, it was believed that such a mineral has great magical powers, the expert explained.

Heated rivalry

Together with Leonardo, it is difficult not to remember Raphael Santi and Michelangelo Buonarroti. They both lived and worked at the same time. In 1508-1512, the masters created their main masterpieces literally 100 meters apart: Michelangelo single-handedly painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and Raphael painted the papal chambers, or Stanzas. Artists competed and incited each other because of the opposite of characters. Michelangelo was a loner and rebel, dressed gloomy and held unsociable. Raphael, by contrast, was sociable and graceful, loved luxury and lived on a broad footing.

- The exhibition presents paintings “The Last Judgment”, “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo Buonarroti; “The Archangel Michael Striking Satan”, “The Sistine Madonna”, “Portrait of Pope Julius II” by Raphael Santi and other works of artists, Igor briefly explained.

Masters became real titans of the Renaissance, creating works so perfect that artists of the next generations could only try to imitate.

- I remember a lot about art from school and university and wanted to refresh this knowledge. I wanted to look at the work with an older look, to understand what the artists wanted to portray. I was impressed by “The Archangel Michael Slaying Satan.” I have a feeling that I saw this picture somewhere, but I can not understand where, said the visitor Ilya.

The pendulum of painting: everything is repeated

Looking back, at the exhibition The Da Vinci Code, modern man can trace the path of the formation of the great era of the fifteenth century.

- All art is cyclical. It starts with a symbolic point. And then they move towards more realism. Think of school. We were all shown cave paintings of primitive man: hunting, animals. The plots have evolved over the centuries, gradually approaching greater realism. And then, like a pendulum, everything comes back. Until the beginning of the XX century, we had the avant-garde with you: Fauvist paintings by Matisse, naive paintings by Rousseau. In the end, Malevich puts the point with his square. It’s over, and a new return begins. It is happening now, we can observe it around, Igor said.

The history of photography began about 150 years ago. It grew and became more realistic. And now, on a completely different platform, computer graphics is developing. It also seeks greater realism.

- It turns out a kind of pendulum: art again and again goes the way from symbolism to realism and back, concluded the guide Igor.

Photo by Diana Shabala