What is Renaissance Portraiture?

The word renaissance, loosely translated means re-born, or rebirth. The Renaissance was a 300 year long humanistic revival of classical art, architecture, literature, and learning that originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread throughout Europe.

For artists of the time, their thinking was also influenced by the idea of humanism, a concept which emphasizes the worth of the individual. Renaissance humanists believed it was possible to improve human society through classical education and as a cultural movement, it encompassed a revival of learning based on classical sources. Artists such as Masaccio strove to portray the human form realistically, developing techniques to render perspective and light more naturally, and more beautifully.

This is the foundation of Darton's work.

Profoundly influenced by the work of Rembrandt, Darton has always worked to capture the essence of Renaissance Portraiture. A portrait that is intentionally simple, yet enormously powerful. With each subject beautifully lit, the subtle emotions that flit and flitter across the face are tenderly revealed. Using the most subtle of transitions between forms, shapes, and tones, one element of the portrait glides imperceptibly into another, creating an image that keeps the viewer enthralled. That is Renaissance Portraiture by Darton Drake.