Issue 29
Spring 2008
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STRAY NEWS
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Group News cont’d
The May meeting is a visit to ‘The Hutts Himalayan Garden’, which is near Grewelthorpe. We are hoping for some fine warm weather for this outing
Ian Wallace
A good idea?
As an extension to our long running German group(s) I am considering starting a “German Reading Circle”, meeting perhaps fortnightly (reading/translating/discussing novels).
If anyone, having the relevant proficiency, is interested in joining please contact me, stating which afternoon would be suitable.
Hildegard J Kendall
“The Renaissance” Brian began the course with an explanation of the social and financial conditions in Florence in the early 15th century, a period of peace and increasing wealth through manufacturing and trade. There was rivalry among the wealthy citizens and governments to decorate their palaces, guild halls and churches. This encouraged the development of skills in stonework, building, and painting. Artists became recognized for their own work, instead of being anonymous tradesmen as in the past.
We looked at the competition held by the rulers of Florence to design and cast doors for the Baptistry, and the details of the design by Ghiberti that show the changes from the Medieval to the newer style, eventually called the Renaissance. There was also a competition to design and build the dome of the cathedral, secured by Brunelleschi, whose studies in Rome of the classical world influenced the use of linear perspective in drawing, and classical elements in building.
We also looked at painting, as frescos and tempera, and painting on wood gave way to oil painting on canvas. Also the influence of Humanist thought on subject matter, with the use of classical and mythological subjects, as well as traditional religious themes, and the three-dimensional effects achieved with perspective and shading . This breakthrough (if that isn’t too modern a word) was demonstrated with Giotto’s depiction of expressive faces and a sense of depth in the composition of his frescos.
The northern European artists of the time did not reference a classical heritage, they were influenced by iIlumination, and gothic sculpture, and their perspective was achieved by observation of the real world. They introduced the mixing of
pigment with oil, which allowed a slower and finer technique than fresco.
We neared the end with the very recognizable Leonardo, Michaelangelo and Raphael (not the ninja turtles) of the High Renaissance, and then to Giorgione and Titian of Venice. Raphael, by the way, was the painter referenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
I believe everyone was enriched by this course and by Brian’s extensive knowledge of the subject, and we look forward to next term’s “British Art”, starting with the Tudors and Stuarts, up to Victorian times and caricature.
Thank you very much Brian.
Judy Muscarella
Shape up for Summer with Keep Fit. We restarted on April 8th – but welcome newcomers at any time. Be brave – come and join us! First two sessions are £2 each. Wear loose, comfy clothes, preferably layers and soft gym shoes or light trainers.
Val Cooke
This meeting was our first outdoor outing of the year and we were blessed with a fine day. Brian Wood, a local naturalist, led the outing and gave us a very interesting afternoon. We walked from Fellbeck across the fields to Brimham Rocks and then back via High Woods and Mill House. We listened to bird song and identified a number of birds, we looked at the topography, the woodland, and how the natural environment had been influenced by man. On the way we passed an ancient wood and Brian explained the nature of ancient woodland and how man managed the woods and field boundaries over the centuries. At Mill House we were able to study the archaeology of the water courses from a weir that diverted water to provide power for the mill. In this area there was a variety of plants that live in damp places such as the Golden Saxifrage.
On the way back we walked along the side of a small wooded valley that was full of spring flowers. Some members were more concerned about their safety as it was a rather primitive track. To make matters worse we came across a rather awkward and high stile that proved to be quite the highlight of the afternoon. The ladies required some attentive assistance to negotiate this obstacle and Joe did a sterling job as chief stile negotiator. We had no complaints from the ladies.