Leonardo and His Contemporaries:The Fusion of Science with Art
...te that this only the very early stages of a more advanced form of art creation and also states that, “the techniques appear to be intuitive rather than geometrically precise.2” It was not too long after that that these exact techniques became much more developed showing signs of almost scientific accuracy. A direct example of this improvement of geometrical systems to paint was evident in both Massaccio’s Trinity completed in 1426 and also Piero della Francesca’s Brera Altarpiece dating back to 1475. Massacio was one of the first artists to claim he had started utilizing, “a new kind of perspectival rigor. ” Leonardo da Vinci’s, Last Supper, in 1497 also possessed many of the same compositional technique modes as did these earlier Florentine painters. One major aspect of each of these pieces that is similar is use of the ceilings to create depth and create a more spatial atmosphere. The utilization of coffered ceiling creates a depth and background therefore exonerating the main focus of the piece even more so, Martin Kemp calls them “spatial clues.3” This depth pushes the center focus more into a confrontational position in which the viewer cannot help but be focused on. However, Massaccio and Francesca both depict arched coffered ceilings while da Vinci provided a more linear coffered ceiling. This is a mixture of Brunelleschi’s linear perspective and the newer advancements of spatial design, therefore demonstrating that Leonardo da Vinci used many earlier techniques while infusing them with his own personal touch. One other major similarity between these paintings is the use of the V style composition. This compositional effect is present in the Last Supper, Trinity and the Brera altarpiece. From the right and left parts of the vaults in both the Massaccio and the Francesca you can draw two lines that meet at the primary point of focus . In the Trinity the triangulation’s point is close to the base cross. The Brera Altarpiece’s V form of composition concludes at the Madonna and child in the middle of crowd creating a sense of intimacy with viewer and the pair. Leonardo da Vinci has managed to manipulate and master numerous other techniques used by his earlier artists as well as his contemporaries. While under the study of Verrocchio, Leonardo da Vinci learned an exceptional amount about art, composition and how to master the physical world in painting. Many of the techniques that Verrocchio bestowed upon Leonardo were eventually thinned out while he was finding his own style. This is clearly made evident with a few of the works that he accomplished while under the study of Verrocchio. One direct example of Leonardo and Verrocchio working together is in 1473 on the Baptism of Christ. This shows Leonardo beginning of his mastery at the pyramidal style of composition. Also evident in this painting the Verrocchio’s own personal form of depicting the manner in which cloth will hang on a person or drapery . Verrocchio’s form was less realistic and more stylized which eventually lead Leonardo to adjusting to his own personal likings. Leonardo painted one piece utilizing this very technique of over folding and drastic creases that create more life. This was the Madon...