What is Renaissance Art?
Renaissance art is a term used to describe the paintings, sculptures, and numerous works of art that defined the European historical period called the Renaissance.
The Renaissance emerged as a unique style in Italy during the 1400s, coinciding with other advances that areas like philosophy, science, music, and literature saw in this era.
The term “Renaissance” was coined by historians of the 1900s who saw the artistic style during this period as a rebirth of the art form.
Renaissance art was perceived as the most honored forms of the ancient customs, founded it the Classical antiquity art. It transformed that tradition with the addition of new advances in Northern European art and the application of contemporary scientific knowledge.
The leading style of the Renaissance was the Florence School of painting. Florence’s emergence as a major mercantile center drove the development of their economy which, in turn, fueled the birth of the Florence school of painting and a new merchant class.
Along with Renaissance Humanist philosophy, Renaissance art worked its way through Europe, stunning patrons, and other artists with newer techniques and artistic sensibilities. Renaissance art was seen as the turning point from the medieval age to the Early Modern period for Europe.
How did the Renaissance begin?
In the first days of the Renaissance, artists started to create realistic imagery of the human form and the environment around it. This style started with Cimabue and Giotto and peaked in the age of Andrea Mantegna and Paolo Uccello, the ‘Perfect’ artists. The ‘Perfect’ artists used a one-point perspective to create art and entertained their higher-end, more learned clients with manipulations of perspective to create art.
The Early Renaissance brought about advancements in style and subject. Religion was no longer the sole driving force behind the artwork, myths, and legends also began to feature in art. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is touted as the first-panel painting of a scene out of mythology. Mythological panel painting created a new dimension in thematic designs, artistic patronage, and production.
The High Renaissance was the culmination and peak of the Early Renaissance’s aims. It gave birth to some of the most popular artists the world has known like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, and Michelangelo. The greatest masterpieces of this period are Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Raphael’s The School of Athens and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel as all these works of art exemplify the spirit and elements of the High Renaissance.
Mannerism in Florence evolved from the High Renaissance. Mannerists deliberately opposed the principles espoused by the High Renaissance and sought to portray elongated figures in irrational spaces. The Mannerist style has been noted to portray strong, religious emotion where the High Renaissance couldn’t. The major Mannerist artists were Pontormo, Bronzino, Rosso Fiorentino, Parmigianino, and Giulio Romano.
How was Renaissance art different?
Medieval art, during the middle ages, was of dull colors and mainly displayed church settings. The Church served as the major patrons of the time and used their power and influence to create art that showed appreciation and respect to the Church.
Renaissance art was more emotive in its design and received artistic inspiration from public avenues. The art took on more secular, and individual characteristics as the Church’s influence on the artists waned.
Renaissance art influenced culture and society by showing how art could symbolize more than the Church. Renaissance art also showed that art could show emotion and describe an object’s or a person’s features. A painting could display a building in three dimensions using Renaissance perspectives. Also, Renaissance art showed that the mood of any setting could be displayed accurately through shading techniques and different color patterns.
Why should I use Renaissance art to decorate my home or office?
Renaissance art symbolizes majesty, elegance, beauty, and harmony. It’s best for those who can fully appreciate the symmetry, sophistication, luxury, and exquisite nature of the Renaissance age. As one of the most historically beautiful art styles, it can create a sublime, yet the solemn atmosphere in any space. Combined with furniture, textiles, and decorations in the Renaissance style, the Renaissance artwork will transform a room into a masterpiece of beauty.
Where can I get affordable Renaissance artwork?
Given the style and beauty of the typical Renaissance artwork, finding affordable pieces for sale isn’t an easy task. Online Museum Art Collections have pages and pages of beautiful images in the Renaissance style, but those are not for sale.One of the best places to buy Renaissance art online is TheMuseumOutlet.com. They have a great selection of reproductions of various pieces of Renaissance art that are well-known. Re-creations of the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Giotto di Bondone, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and many more can be found on TheMuseumOutlet.com website at affordable prices.