Rafael

Raphael (a self portrait is at left) was a young rival (though admirer of) both Leonardo and Michelangelo. The latter distrusted Raphael and had the Sistine Chapel locked at night hoping to prevent the younger artist's efforts at "copying." Perhaps Raphael's most famous painting, "The School of Athens" (above left) reveals the Renaissance's use of perspective and light. It also shows the relationship between Raphael and his older contemporary and competitor, Michelangelo. Apparently the dark, brooding figure in the foreground of the painting is the sour (and dour) Michelangelo himself (The two artists were at work in the Vatican at the same time--Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael in the pope's library). Raphael also playfully included himself (in the dark beret) on the far right of the work.

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo (at left) was a key figure in the Renaissance. In lecture we discussed his use of perspective, blending and naturalism in such works as (from left to right)"The Last Supper," "Mona Lisa," and sketchbook. The BBC documentary clip points out the central importance of patronage in the Italian Renaissance. The clip below is about the artist's curiosity and interest in "naturalism." And again, the central role of patronage. . . . And finally, the rivalry of the Reanaissance artists we referenced in lecture . . . .

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The clip below focuses on the USSR's invasion of Afghanistan in December of 1979. The clip below is from a series titled "History Counts."

Iran and the Islamic Revolution

Make sure to have your study terms (and the textbook) handy while viewing this BBC documentary. Pay particular attention to the role of the Cold War in the story of Iran. In total the documentary is longish, but the events are important for world history. The following clips focus on the crisis of leadership in the 1970s.

Mikhail Gorbachev and Perestroika

Leonid Brezhnez had run the Communist Party in Russia for years. He and the "old guard" are significant here:

Soldarity and Crisis behind the Iron Curtain

Note here the relationship between Poland, the USSR, and the USA.

The French Revolution

Louis and Marie Antoinette at Tuileries Palace

David's "Tennis Court Oath"

The Bastille

The March ofthe Fishwives

A Revolutionary "Sans-Culotte"

David's "Death of Marat"

A Detail Reveals the Name of Marat's Murderer

Georges Danton

Maximilien Robespierre

The Execution of Robespierre
We will discuss the French Revolution in more detail in lecture.