BOOKS
Den Menschen vor Augen

Book cover “Den Menschen vor Augen”

Giulio Pippi gen. Giulio Romano (Rome 1499 – 1546 Mantua), Venus Anadyomene, c. 1515, red chalk, 243 × 147 mm

Federigo Barocci (Urbino c. 1535 – 1612 Urbino), Studies for the painting ‘Christ and Magdalene – “Noli me tangere”’ 1589/90, black chalk, heightened with white, traces of red chalk, on blue-grey paper, the contours of the central figure traced, 418 × 277 mm

Donato Bramante, Donato Bramante (Fermignano 1444 – 1514 Rome), Seated male nude figure, c. 1490, pen and dark brown ink, dark brown wash, heightened with white, over traces of black pencil, on brownish prepared paper; later edged in dark brown pen, 335 × 242 mm

Andrea Mantegna (Isola di Carturo 1431 – 1506 Mantua), Dancing Muse 1496/97, pen and brown ink, brown wash, heightened with white, over spolvero dots, on cut and glued brownish paper with later additions to the rectangle, 527 × 261 mm

Domenico Ghirlandaio (Florence 1448 – 1494 Florence, attributed to him), Two standing men in conversation, 1480s, silverpoint, brush in white, on salmon red prepared paper, 211 × 181 mm

Jacopo Pontormo (Empoli 1494 – 1557 Florence), Two standing women, c. 1520, red chalk in lighter and darker colours, wiped, mounted on paper and with pen and ink in gold, framed, 391 × 261 mm

Fra Bartolommeo (Savignano near Prato 1472 – 1517 Florence), Portrait of a bearded monk, c. 1515, black chalk, heightened with white brush, 397 × 274 mm

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Drawing as a window to the Renaissance

The Renaissance marked a turning point in the perception of the human body. While the body was often stylised and dematerialised in the Middle Ages, Italian draughtsmanship set new standards between 1450 and 1750. It not only served to prepare large-format works, but also developed into an independent form of expression. Artists such as Michelangelo and Perugino experimented with anatomy, movement and light in order to get as close as possible to the human form. The book “Den Menschen vor Augen” shows how these drawings revolutionised the image of man and the variety of artistic strategies used.

Facets of human representation

The publication is divided into four thematic areas: “Uninhibited and vulnerable” is dedicated to the early anatomical studies in which artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli and Donato Bramante analysed the human body. “Dressed and costumed” shows the importance of clothing as a socially recognisable and staging element. “Next to, with and against each other” illuminates the interplay of figures in group compositions, while “Private and official, ideal and grotesque” covers the spectrum between realistic portrait and exaggerated caricature. The works from these periods document an artistic exploration of individuality, social affiliation and the tension between ideal and reality.

Technical mastery and choice of materials

The medium of drawing offered artists a particular freedom. While painting and sculpture often served representative or decorative purposes, drawing allowed direct experimentation with lines, shading and textures. The materials used – from silverpoint to pen and chalk to red chalk – had a decisive influence on the quality of expression. Drawings could be both fleeting sketches and detailed studies that played with subtle gradients of light and shadow. The Italian concept of “disegno” – drawing not only as a technique, but as the intellectual basis of all visual arts – characterised this era and laid the foundation for the modern understanding of artistic design work.

The relevance for the present

The book not only offers a historical retrospective, but also reflects on the role of drawing in contemporary art. In a digitalised world in which visual stimuli often remain fleeting, the focus on the hand-drawn line has an almost decelerating effect. It shows that the fascination for the human body, for facial expressions, gestures and expression is timeless. The works make it clear that the search for truthfulness and expressiveness in art never ends. “Den Menschen vor Augen” draws attention to tradition, but at the same time gives an idea of how strongly the Renaissance continues to influence visual culture today and what impulses it holds for the artistic creation of the future.

Data

Further information

Further information on the book Den Menschen vor Augen (Advertising) can be found on the website of Deutscher Kunstverlag.

Compliance

The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.