Research Point: The human figure


Leonardo Da Vinci 1452-1519

Da Vinci studied the human anatomy to get better at drawing the human form.and by the end of his life, he claimed to have cut up more than 30 corpses in his pursuit of human anatomy research for his groundbreaking sketches. 


Michelangelo 1475- 1564

Drawing would always be Michelangelo's first point of call when working on a study or a commission. Although such is the ability, observation and skill of each drawing - they are highly regarded as fine art in themselves. 

Many of Michelangelo's drawings appear unfinished, yet I can see the time and accurate detail in the anatomy. It is most likely that Michelangelo reached a point in each drawing that he had found what he needed in his observation, that he was able to move on to his final pieces without completing his drawing studies overall. 

The drawings of the naked figure are created articulately using chalk and pencil. Studying the human form in such scientific detail, this medium offered the flexibility to make amendments throughout his observations. 

Michelangelo's anatomical drawings are of medical and scientific accuracy. The human form appears soft and beautiful yet on point at every turn. I see muscle mass and bone. Movement and strength. He creates the human form in a soft and gentle way with unprecedented accuracy precision. 

Michelangelo Buonarroti was the first artist to be recognised by contemporaries as a genius. 

 

Alberto Giaccometti 1901-1966


Experimental and expressive. 

Eerie and intriguing. I enjoy the way the background is instrumental in expressing space and atmosphere around the figure itself, a sense of loneliness almost.  

The scratchy marks create so many marks, such excitement in the drawings. The clothes of the figure stand out also with such importance, the marks on the blazer so accurately placed.

'Diego' 1959 (right) - Oil painting of Giaccometti's younger brother. This painting was created in two short sittings. The background is largely grey, except for the addition of yellow ochre and sage around the figure. The background is layered up with large strokes of the brush. This large and empty space creates such an isolating space for the figure. In contrast to the large strokes of the background, the head of the figure itself is heavily made of of thin lines and strokes, black, grey and white lines. The use of white on the head creates such light against the dark and lonely background. 

Michelangelo Pistoletto 1933- 


'Standing Man' 1962, 1982. A mirror painting made of highly polished steel. The painting here is hanging just above the floor. So light and spacious. The figure has his back to the viewer but he is so boldly placed that he is no less of a presence even though his face cannot be seen. The figure is stationary, adding to his presence.

Pistoletto has a great interest in performance art and even though the standing man is showing no movement at all here, there is an element of performance still. This painting could not live without an audience. 

The mirror is a clever way of placing a fictional figure into a real space. 

David Hockey 1937 - 

'My Parents' 1977. Kenneth and Laura Hockney. Oil on canvas. This was the third attempt at this painting after two failed attempts equating  a total of many, many house of sittings for Hockney's parents. 

However this painting is exquisite. The colours feel like fresh air, so bright and clean, almost as if the colours flow into the room through the window. I sense the window to the left (to the viewer) of Laura as the light on the left (to viewer) side of here is so bright. It also hits the top of Kenneth's head as he reads the paper. The light in the room I feel is one of the highlights, it's stunning and adds such life to the figures and the room. 

The positioning of the figures are so important in depicting the personalities of the characters. 

The addition of furniture in the room also plays a part in adding interest to the painting.


Reference: 


https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20130828-leonardo-da-vinci-the-anatomist

www.leonardodavinci.net

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/giacometti-diego-t00358

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hockney-my-parents-t03255

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/pistoletto-standing-man-t12186


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