A Brief Analysis of Alberti’s Art Theory - Taking On Painting” as an Example

Abstract

People’s perceptions of artists in Italy, particularly Florence, have transformed since the 15th century. Artists have created works of art that reflect the humanistic ethos of the era, which has fostered the study of art theory by humanist scholars and contributed to the development of an art historical consciousness. In his artistic theory, the Italian humanist Alberti of the early 15th century reflected the new development of Florentine art. Alberti, an artist and theorist of the early Renaissance, examined the changes in artistic creation in the new era with a very avant-garde and contemporary perspective, and applied scientific theoretical knowledge to painting creation as a premise for studying painting art techniques. His influential treatise “On Painting” is regarded as the first systematic painting theory work in the West, establishing the groundwork for Renaissance art theory. His description of the sublime nature of painting elevated painting’s status and reputation as an art form. It is also advantageous to facilitate the transition of painters from painters to artists. This article is founded on the theoretical content proposed in Alberti’s “On Painting” art theory work, analyzing the painting concepts proposed by Alberti and its governing function in Renaissance art.