Module 9 Video Responses

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance - I selected this video because I wanted to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci's reasons behind his pieces as well as more background information.

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master - Originally I was going to choose the Michelangelo video, but I already know a bit about him so I decided to choose a video surrounding someone I'm not too familiar with. 

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance - I learned that Leonardo uses a strange way of writing called "mirror writing" and only does this when he's not writing for someone else. He is fully capable of writing normally, but chooses this method. 

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master - Durer was very talented at drawing from a young age and even drew a self portrait at 13 with a rod of silver. He was also able to draw his father, who was a goldsmith, with a lot of detail when he was only 19. 

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance - The text goes more in depth in his artwork and what reasons he had for completing them. It only brushes lightly on his past and doesn't go into much detail about the inner workings of his brain. The video explains how he sees the world and peoples faces as well as little less significant parts of his life. Combined together it helps you understand the concepts of him and his time period.

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master - He was barely mentioned in the text so a lot of the information was brand new. It added onto the concept of renaissance and went in depth on his specific pieces and methods.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mind of the Renaissance -  I really enjoyed this film and was actually drawn in at the beginning when they mentioned Leonardo da Vinci writes in a way called "mirror writing." I wasn't completely sure what it meant so I did a little research and found that he invented the style himself. He starts from the right side of the page and moves left as he writes and it seems that no one really knows why he wrote this way. It almost seems like the project we're working on where we have to draw with out non-dominant hand. This adds depth and understanding to the readings and concepts because it takes you almost "behind the scenes" of art being made. You start to understand how the artist thinks and in this case, writes. 

Albrecht Dürer: Image of a Master - I also enjoyed this film and I think the most surprising part was about how his favorite part of the body to paint/draw was someones hands. As someone who draws a little and has some artist friends, I've come to find that hands are always the hardest part to draw for most people so it's interesting to me that he enjoys it. This adds depth to the readings and concepts because you get to learn more about the time period and the type of styles that most artists use.