Italian renaissance art was greatly represented by artistic human forms and Biblical themes. Theology was an important thing in Europe during these times and it influenced the artists as well. These paintings were mainly three-dimensional such that they exhibited human forms in their right proportions (Nichols 28). Artists took time to study their objects so as to give the paintings a life-like quality. These new techniques improved the painter’s art as they could influence the society as a whole. Biblical paintings were highly valued in churches such that they were incorporated in cathedrals. This paper aims at discussing some of characteristics of Italian renaissance art through studying some of the prominent artists at that time.
Artists during the Italian renaissance were well known for their perfect artistic work. Fame was an important factor due to the rising middle merchant class. Merchants were intrigued by the level of artistic due to the fact that painting reflected a life-like object (Nichols 28). Merchants brought market to the artists hence the fame of the artists during the renaissance period. The merchants were depicted as wealthy individuals who celebrated the beautiful art painted. This means that through the merchants, painters became popular and famous.
Religion as an ideology greatly influenced art especially in the Catholic churches. Catholicism exhibited a high profile art in their cathedrals, which incorporated biblical themes. Biblical art was greatly accepted by mass of people because the society was highly religious during the renaissance period (Nichols 18). It is evident today in the cathedrals that art is an important facet in designing the church. Some of the great artists known during this time were, Giotto and Ghiberti.
Artists during the renaissance period were attentive to detail through using their brush technique. Artists use shadows and light as a painting technique as a way of bringing an image to reality. Due to the freedom enjoyed among painters, nude pictures became popular during this time. Botticelli was one of the famous artists that painted nude pictures as a way of celebrating the human body and to show passion through the painted images (Burke 37). Botticelli was one of the individuals that supported Neo-Platonism through painting. It is believed that he blended both the Christian teachings and Plato’s teachings as a form of expression to his audience. One can argue that Balotelli’s nude pictures were a way of interpreting God’s creation as narrated in Genesis as well as symbolize purity and passion from the human race (Burke 39-42). This indicates how religion played a significant role during the renaissance period.
In conclusion, the renaissance period was a dynamic change in the society in that artists had the implemented new techniques to draw life-like images. These artists were greatly uplifted in the society by being celebrated. This new form of art depicted religious themes especially among the catholic churches. The style implemented by artists such as Balotelli, Giotto and Ghiberti show new ideas since the medieval period. It is clear that the renaissance period represented realism of sculptures and paintings. These paintings are still celebrated today due to their life-like qualities exhibited in the sculptures and paintings.
Works Cited
Burke, Jill. Rethinking the High Renaissance: the culture of the visual arts in early sixteenth-century Rome. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2012. Print.
Nichols, Tom. Renaissance art a beginner's guide. Oxford: Oneworld, 2010. Print.
