Art of the Ages

The main focus of art from the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance period involved fundamental changes in the way individuals viewed their world. A central element of the Renaissance was the rediscovery of ancient world of Greece and Rome. The ancient classics of philosophy, literature, and science inspired the development of empirical methods to pursue studies in these fields. As Europeans became increasingly aware of classical knowledge some like Galileo began to build on that knowledge actual observation and study of the natural world, even conceiving experiments to test his theories. It is art, however, that is the most visible indication of the changing outlook of Europeans. The focus on the natural world caused many artists to move away from the medieval focus on God to an increasing concern with the natural world and more precise depictions of that world. The horrors of the plague had caused many to question their faith in the 14th century, another factor in undermining a God-centered world. As a result, the themes of Renaissance artists are less devoted to the glory of God and increasingly to secular themes. They only painted Biblical scenes when Greek and Roman history were depicted. Later in the Renaissance, artists will begin painting genre scenes of contemporary life. The increasingly sophisticated artistic techniques permitted artists to create amazingly realistic depictions. The role of the artist also changes in the Renaissance. The Medieval artist was a craftsman whose name, especially in the early Medieval era rarely applied to his creations. His task was to Glorify God along guidelines clearly established by the Church. The Renaissance artist was a very different individual. He was much more than a craftsman. He was a creator. He was viewed differently than the mere artisan artists were viewed in the Medieval era. The Renaissance artist was greatly respected in a world still dominated by the aristocracy. Both the aristocracy and the Church and later in the Medieval era wealthy merchants began respecting the artist not only for his technical prowess, but also for his creative powers and imagination--in fact a new development in Western art. The artist was seen as an individual whose personal aesthetic expression was of importance.

The artistic style changed dramatically from the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance period. The Renaissance period will always be closely associated with achievements in literature, art, and music. In painting, sculpture, and architecture the Renaissance tended to break with medieval traditions. Renaissance painters turned from the purely religious subjects of the Middle Ages to a depiction of the natural world. Technical advances in the representation of perspective, anatomy, and light and shadow were matched by a great expansion in subject matter.