Home
Listening
Listen to an Academic Talk Test #072
Listen to an Academic Talk
1. What is the talk mainly about?
A) The life of Leonardo da Vinci
B) A painting technique from the Renaissance
C) The history of Italian art
D) How to interpret the Mona Lisa's expression
2. Which feature of the Mona Lisa does the lecturer mention as an example of sfumato?
A) The colors of the landscape
B) The details of the clothing
C) The corners of the mouth
D) The texture of the hair
3. What does the lecturer imply about art before Leonardo da Vinci?
A) It was more realistic and three-dimensional
B) It used less color than Renaissance art
C) It often featured subjects with sharp outlines
D) It was primarily focused on landscapes
4. Why does the lecturer mention the meaning of the word "smoke"?
A) To suggest the painting has been damaged
B) To explain how the paint was made
C) To help define the sfumato technique
D) To describe the setting of the Mona Lisa
Lecturer: Let's turn our attention to a key technique of the High Renaissance, known by its Italian name, sfumato. The word literally translates to "gone up in smoke." In painting, it refers to the technique of blending colors or tones so subtly that they melt into one another without perceptible transitions.
This creates a soft, hazy effect. The undisputed master of sfumato was Leonardo da Vinci. If you look closely at his painting, the Mona Lisa, you'll see it in the corners of her eyes and mouth. This lack of sharp outlines contributes to the ambiguity of her expression.
Before Leonardo, artists typically used very clear, distinct lines to define shapes. Sfumato was revolutionary because it allowed for a greater sense of realism and depth, making the figures appear more three-dimensional. This technique fundamentally changed how artists approached representing light and form.
This creates a soft, hazy effect. The undisputed master of sfumato was Leonardo da Vinci. If you look closely at his painting, the Mona Lisa, you'll see it in the corners of her eyes and mouth. This lack of sharp outlines contributes to the ambiguity of her expression.
Before Leonardo, artists typically used very clear, distinct lines to define shapes. Sfumato was revolutionary because it allowed for a greater sense of realism and depth, making the figures appear more three-dimensional. This technique fundamentally changed how artists approached representing light and form.
Highlights
| ID: | #io9118646836 |
Tags
New TOEFL