Art can be found in so many places around the world. It’s a hobby that can be relaxing, creative, and expressive. Some consider it an important part of their lives because there are so many aspects, or forms and variations, that a person can enjoy. Throughout time, art has changed significantly, from cave art to digital art. There are also significant time periods that have shaped how art has developed.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance period is one of those time periods. In fact, a blog post on Lindenwood University Online called it one of the most influential major art movements. It is when Europe’s 14th to 17th centuries were focused on the rebirth of ancient Greek and Rome values, as well as Humanism.
It is a topic that is taught in most schools as well. Hadara Xol said, “The first that I heard about the Renaissance was when I went to history class and my teacher was talking about it.” For it to still be talked about, you can see just how influential the time period was.
Art creation
During this time, art started to become more popular as it became a sign of wealth. It was right after the Middle Ages, so there were also more people who could afford to commission art (History). Most of this art consisted of depictions of the world around them, like the human body, or religious images. These depictions could be found in the form of music, oil paintings, or sculptures.
Many technological advancements were made as well, which meant different painting techniques were also created. A lot of the paintings included realistic shadows, aerial perspectives, the fresco technique, and sfumato, which is a technique to soften the transition between colors (Britannica). These are the same techniques that some people continue to use today.
In the modern world
Plenty of artists still look to Renaissance artwork, like paintings, for inspiration. Many also study them to learn and incorporate parts that can be found in those works into their own. People have even made unique recreations of them or have made references to artworks.
Artsper Magazine has examples of the way the Renaissance can be seen in art forms today. One being Beyoncé’s album covers that have Renaissance-inspired imagery, like one referencing Adam van Noort’s painting of Lady Godiva. Other instances where pop culture has referenced the Renaissance include music videos, fashion, and photography.
Ultimately, the Renaissance was able to greatly influence art and inspire people. Many admire the artworks that were created and strive to make something alike. Perhaps, now you’ll look for or take notice of references to Renaissance art in the art around you.
