The Four Canonical Painting Modes of the Renaissance: Unione
The Four Canonical Painting Modes of the Renaissance: Unione
The Modes
The renaissance ("rebirth") was the era or refreshment of art during the 1300's to 1700. The renaissance is also the core foundation of conventional art ethics. Many techniques in art were borrowed or created in the renaissance are now used in variation today. During the 300 year period that the renaissance was, many techniques were found. Perspective was an incredible discovery as artists began using it in a more calculated way. Some colors never used before were also found (such as ultramarine). Art before the renaissance now looks immature and unrealistic.
All of the techniques of the renaissance are numerous, but there are four prominent techniques that stand out in the art that have been carried through generations of art.
Sfumato
Unione
Cangiante
Chiaroscuro
Unione
Unione has many similar attributes to Sfumato. It is one of the most famous techniques of the Renaissance. It is regarded as a prominent technique rather than a perspective technique. It plays an integral role in enhancing the work of art. This method relies on the smooth transformation of colors without any hint of hard lines. However, it differs from Sfumato due to the intensity of the colors being used.
When Sfumato relies on smoothing colors by dark or ling pigment which reduces the intense colors in paintings, Unione is focused on the intensity. It tries to improve the eye-soothing parts o the images to make the picture even more vibrant, colorful and lovely.
Raphael
Raphael was an artist who is considered as the leading practitioner of this technique. He used it in different works such as the Saint Catherine of Alexandria painting. The paintings tend to have intense and bright colors. It is easier to see the characters, and have a better understanding of the background and other aspects of the painting. The paintings also rely on different versions of colors to make them more appealing.
![Raphael-Pope Julius II.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmc1c8VsXLu9eSeggfeNfs5fEP6ysM39mDWg1CrPZxvjrt/Raphael-Pope%20Julius%20II.jpg)
![tumblr_lz8r7ihgEk1r4xfawo1_540.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmX4c8tp3UMgRGvR8nFiVJ9StE3vQrWrSYRoNkVqATc3p3/tumblr_lz8r7ihgEk1r4xfawo1_540.jpg)
Technique
"Unione is considered as the precise point where the edges, outlines, and contours of space and objects meet and blend in a painting even though they remain perceptible to the viewer. They are not too bold or too blurred. However, the transition between space and objects is still noticeable. Unione is a very delicate technique since the artist has to paint the lines in a slight but perfect blend. It seeks to harmonize the bold and blend. This directs the eye to a specific part of the art without any restricting lines. " Source
Madonna of The Pinks
![tumblr_inline_oh0puxqKPy1uudvts_500.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRE9MQYCB7WJGcx7e4nuspizF7gLTvmhYGzL9zSSzxFto/tumblr_inline_oh0puxqKPy1uudvts_500.png)
In the Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael, the shadows around the mother and child are efficiently blending. There are no hard outlines. Moreover, the colors are still vibrant.
Sources
http://www.artmumble.com/2012_03_11_archive.html
http://wonderwarhol.tumblr.com/post/153512699860/the-four-canonical-painting-modes-of-the
http://artpaintingartist.org/the-four-canonical-painting-modes-of-the-renaissance/
Comments
Steemians, what do you think of Unione? Have you ever seen it anywhere that you remember?
![follow_animagic.gif](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmZLCTMPMiEzBzJTV85ejy6jRAfUtWHTT43ecu13qJjQw6/follow_animagic.gif)
I am TRYING to accomplish a decent reproduction of Unione, but am still far from grasping the concept in a fair way. Thank you for this, you have helped me.
It's easy to write about it! Not easy to actually accomplish huh? Seems generations of experience led to this style, so keep on pushing! @aaalfonz