Post #2: Aisha Assaf

Renaissance Art

         The Renaissance was a cultural movement from the 15^th to 17^th century and included many paintings by famous artists in Italy. During the Renaissance, art pieces were described by the rebirth of the value of the individual and the rebirth of naturalism. In addition, Renaissance artists added the perspective of death, religious themes and architecture/sculptures. A major element used in Renaissance paintings was the idea of “linear perspective” in which the relative size, shape, and position of objects are determined by drawn lines at a point on the horizon (Stokstad, 607). Over the period of the Renaissance, there are many developing changes in Europe that lead to the rebirth of art and literature. Some of the most famous and influential Renaissance painters were Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael and Sandro Botticelli.    

            The Creation of Adam, 1512 by Michelangelo Buonarroti was done on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The painting shows the near-touching hands of God and Adam has become an iconic symbol of humanity. In this painting, the God-cloud is shaped like a womb, which explains how God birthed new life into Adam. God represents a dynamic and active figure, whereas Adam is portrayed with well posture. This piece of artwork represents religious artwork and the concept of “rebirth”, in this case “birth” of Adam from God. It also represents the rebirth and revival of people during the Renaissance period, similar to the birth of Adam from God. God’s hands represent the livelihood of Adam. This painting shows Michelangelo’s great knowledge in the human anatomy. (Meshberger, 1). Michelangelo had a large impact on the Renaissance as a sculptor and painter. He supported the humanist movement of the Renaissance through his sculpture and art (Weebly, 1).

Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, 1512

   The Last Supper, 1498 by Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the most famous Renaissance paintings, representing one of the most important religious scenes in Catholic history. In this painting, Da Vinci portrays his knowledge of human anatomy, light and botany. The painting shows the subject, Christ having his last meal with his followers. “The subject was often painted in monastic refectories (dining halls) to remind the monks or nuns of Christ’s Last Supper with his first followers and encourage them to see their daily gatherings for meals almost as a sacramental act rooted in this biblical tradition”(Stokstad, 627). This painting represents the religious component of the Renaissance. With respect to the linear perspective, the lines of floor tiles and the paneled walls draw the viewers to the scene, as if they are sitting at the dining table with them (Stokstad, 628). During this period, Europe was under Catholic ruling, which is represented by the aspects of religion and Christianity in the paintings. Leonardo Da Vinci influenced the Renaissance by proving that people had the capacity for personal development. During this time in Europe, there was a social movement where people were questioning the Catholic Church in their norms and ideas. This artwork displays an example of Da Vinci’s contribution to the Renaissance and Europe. 

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1498 

          Sistine Madonna, 1512 by Raphael is another well-known painting of the Renaissance period. In this piece of artwork, “Sistine Madonna” represents the Madonna holding baby Christ in her arms. In the painting, a harmonious balanced design with illusion and church rhetoric are portrayed. The three main figures in the painting are The Virgin, Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara Madonna, and they are standing on a bed of clouds looking at the church, representing a heavenly scene (Visual Arts Cork, 1). This is another piece of art that represents religious artwork in the Renaissance. This painting represents the rebirth of personality and gaze in individuals, along with the religious aspect of the Catholic church during the Renaissance.The rebirth of naturalism and the value of the individual are portrayed here. Madonna is represented in high value as The Virgin and shows her in a very natural state, by carrying Christ. Realism is portrayed in the painting, as this depicts a real visual of Madonna holding baby Christ. Raphael had a large impact on the Renaissance, where he influenced painters and made people think of personality when they look at his paintings, as Madonna had a gaze look on her face. Putting realistic emotions onto figures in paintings, influences Renaissance art (Stokstad, 647).

Raphael, Sistine Madonna, 1512

            The Birth of Venus, 1486 by Sandro Botticelli represents a classical myth of the god Venus rising from the sea. In the painting, Venus is “birthed” into the sea while nude, representing the Neoplatonic idea of divine love. This artwork has become a landmark of Italian painting, with references to antiquity. Venus has a gaze on her face and covers while also drawing attention to her sexuality. Botticelli impacted the Renaissance with the idea of self-love and embracing personal figures. However, many people during the Renaissance reacted with self-recrimination, as Botticelli was in a religious fervor. After being shamed for his paintings, Botticelli began painting artwork with more religiosity (Stokstad, 635-636). This painting represents the shift to portray self-love and sexuality to figure paintings, which enhanced the rebirth of human personality. Overall, Botticelli influenced the Renaissance by implementing his own creativity and craftsmen ship into his paintings.

     Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, 1486         

            The Renaissance was a period of re-birth in Europe, which was ruled by Christianity and the Church. Paintings by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael and Sandro Botticelli, explained different aspects of the human re-birth during this period in time. All four paintings discussed above portray the rebirth of human nature and human authority. Through this, there was an expansion of education, arts and culture within Europe. In addition, the Renaissance involved ideas of humanism with concerns of humans. These ideas, which surfaced in art, weakened the hold of the Roman Catholic Church on society and led people to question authority. This gave the people of Europe a “voice” through art and sculptures.

Works Cited

1.     EmmanuelGarcia 1 year, and EmmanuelGarcia. “Renaissance Man: How Leonardo Da Vinci Changed What It Meant to Truly Live.” Fusion 360 Blog, 2 Aug. 2018

2.     “Explaining The Hidden Meaning Of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam.” M.I.G. - Microneurosurgical International Group

3.     Leboffe, Michael J., and Burton E. Pierce. Microbiology Laboratory Theory and Application. Morton Publishing, 2008.

4.     “Michelangelos Influence.” Michelangelo michelangelo-renaissance.weebly.com/michelangelos-influence.html.

5.     “The Sistine Madonna (1513-14).” Sistine Madonna, Raphael: Analysis, Interpretation,