Figure 4.16 (left) The Flagellation of Christ, 1455–60, by Piero della Francesca, oil and tempera on panel, 58 × 82 cm, Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino.
detail can clearly be worked out by projecting the perspective (Fig. 4.17).
Art Elements and Design Principles
Perspective and Line Masaccio’s ground-breaking use of mathematical perspective had a powerful effect on Florentine Renaissance art. Perspective is the primary element of The Trinity (see Fig. 4.8). It is thought Brunelleschi may have helped him with this.
Figure 4.17 Expanded drawing of the pattern in the paving tiles and the space.
One-point linear perspective is key to Paulo Uccello’s The Battle of San Romano (see Fig 4.11). It can be seen in the lines of the composition and individual objects like the lances and the foreshortening of figures like the fallen soldier.
especially the fashionable blue and gold damask of the splendid costumes on the figures on the right.
Composition
The composition is separated in two with perfect one-point perspective. The floor tiles are dramatically foreshortened, but the pattern is very accurate (as shown by the expanded drawing above). The
CHAPTER 4 RENAISSANCE PAINTING IN FLORENCE
Piero della Francesca’s interest in mathematics and the use of line is evident in his very carefully and geometrically planned compositions, as seen in The Flagellation of Christ (see Fig 4.16).
Light and Shadow Masaccio was renowned for his sculptural use of light and shade on the human figure, which is evident in The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Fig. 4.3).
