Historical Foundations of Visual Technology Workbook
7 Light mixing and the web palette
In the period following the Renaissance some artists struggled to
establish new and distinctive styles using the techniques pioneered
by the masters without trying to copy their works. Others sought to
establish reputations by simply imitating the masters "in the same
manner." In the midst of this turmoil artists in northern Europe had
to contend with diminished toleration or appreciation for visual arts
as the Protestant Reformation placed less emphasis and reliance on
art to tell religious stories. Portraiture, "genre" and landscape
painting, and experimentation became primary focal points for the
creation of visual objects. Two primary schools of thought emerged.
The Neo Classical centered on the ideas of Annibale Carracci (1560-1609).
The school of naturalism revolved around Michelangelo da Caravaggio
(1573-1610). Catholic endeavors to counter the Reformation included
increased emphasis on lavish and heavily decorated churches, of the
Baroque era. Sea exploration and science opened new access to
established dyes and pigments and the development of new colorants.
With modern technology the color palette becomes almost unlimited.
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