| Page Sixteen

15th Century, the lecturer showing that Francesco was one of the first to
study anatomy closely, and was therefore the earliest artist to fore-
shorten the feet of his figures, to give them the appearance of resting
naturally on the ground.

Pollainolla studied human anatomy by actual dissection, and gives
| to his pictures naturalness and vividness. He was the first to use oil
paints.

The works of Botticelli shown by Mr. Dick were “The Magi” and
“Madonna and Child,” in circular frames (which he introduced), and one
of the masterpieces of this period, “The Birth of Venus.” The latter was
painted after he had come under the influence of the classical method
of painting.

In the fourth lecture the towering figures of the 16th Century were
dealt with.

Leonardo da Vinci, “the crowning intellect of the Renaissance,” was
| | not only an artist, but one who had mastered practically the entire field
of knowledge then in the world. Many of his pictures are unfinished. In
aaa “The Last Supper” he has given us the greatest Christian painting, and
H | “The Mona Lisa” is considered by some his crowning achievement.
| Michael Angelo was more interested in sculpture than in painting.
In “La Pieta,’ done at the age of twenty-one, he seemed to spring to
maturity. In his huge statue of “David,” the head is considered to be
the most perfect rendering of human features extant. One of his greatest
works was the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the subject
Hii being “The Creation.” This he completed in four years.
Waa Raphael was made famous by his four huge pictures in a room in
at the Vatican. His best known picture is the “Sistine Madonna.” He died
Bi at the age of thirty-seven, universally beloved owing to his gentle and
a sweet disposition. ‘
aa “Venetian Art” was the subject of the two final lectures given by
a ‘ Mr. Dick. The Venetian School paid most attention to colouring, and
the Florentines to draughtsmanship.
Jacopo Bellini was the real founder of the Venetian School of paint-
Wl au ing, his own works being rare, but his influence very great.
| Andrea Mantegna was the most famous of the Paduan School, of
1H which Squarcioue was teacher, and which had for its distinguishing mark
festoons of fruit hanging in the background of the pictures.

| Gentile and Giovanni Bellini were typical artists of the Venetian