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Art of the middle ages (which lasted from the 5th to the 13th century) was very religious in tone and content, especially in Europe. Art was overwhelmingly funded by the church, as the catholic church was the dominating force in European politics and had a greater influence than the political state. Portraits of the Madonna were very common. Paintings were very often produced by members of religious orders such as monasteries. It is interesting to note that most of the art produced was in the form of paintings often done in illustrated manuscripts. The figures in paintings reduced in this era were very flat.
The colors were very muted most of the time, with the exception of using real gold leaf as an accent. The figures in paintings of the era rarely had shadows and possessed narrow faces with solemn expressions. There was no perspective in art of the middle ages; all of the paintings were flat and one- dimensional. Artists of the era made little to no attempt at realism. There was a fair amount of artistic evolution towards the end of the era. Paintings became brighter in color and tended towards more realistic imagery. Perception Egan to develop, causing images to look less flat.
Paintings began to use different lighting and incorporate shadows. Art in the Medieval era evolved into more realistic imagery. (“Middle Ages Art. ” Middle Ages Art. N. P. , n. D. Web. 15 DCE. 2013. ) The evolution in art of the later middle ages culminated with the Renaissance era (the 14th to 16th centuries). It refers to a cultural rebirth. The influence of the church began to wane, allowing for the political states to regain power. The move towards secularism bled into the art of this era. Art was patronized less by the church and ore by wealthy, independent investors who were usually royalty of some sort.
Renaissance artists began to study perspective. They used figures with more emotions. Oil paints in brighter colors became more commonly used. Paintings incorporated brighter sources of light. Thus the paintings of the Renaissance era became far more realistic. As it is a rebirth, the art of the Renaissance era was heavily influenced by classic Greek and Roman art. Classical mythology became a subject for many works. Artists of the era portrayed gods such as Mars, the Roman do of war, in ways similar to how he was portrayed by the ancient Romans.
The influence of the Greeks and Romans also gave more believable proportions to human figures. The images of clothing looked more realistic, giving them the illusion of movement and fluidity. (“Characteristics Of Renaissance Art. ” Characteristics Of Renaissance Art. N. P. , 9 May 2011. Web. 15 DCE. 2013. ) Art of the era had a greater focus on naturalism. Paintings of realistic landscapes became increasingly common. They were made realistic by an increased understanding of believable space and perspective. The sense of depth became more realistic.
The study of perspective allowed for spaces to look more realistic as backgrounds, which was not something that was focused on during the middle ages. The Renaissance was the culmination of all the social, political, and religious changes of the middle ages. It was reflected in the religious tones of art in the middle ages. And while art of the Renaissance became more secular and broader in subject matter, there was still a great deal of religious art. Catholics of the middle ages became interested in Greek and Roman mythology, which became a common theme n Renaissance art.
The Catholic church began to look more at Greek philosophy. The middle ages began to consider the human condition, which ended up as a common theme during the Renaissance. The middle ages were entirely ruled by the church. But during the Renaissance, there was a bit of a backlash due to heavy corruption. The art of the Renaissance was far less religious in tone. It explored more themes, such as philosophy, the human condition, and the mythology of the Greeks as Romans. The church commissioned nearly all of the art produced during the middle ages, which is the reason for the overwhelming theme of religion.
The Madonna and many Catholic saints are portrayed in the art of that era, and it was often produced by members of the church, clergy, or monasteries. With the shift away from the church during the Renaissance, the art of the era became more secular. The greatest difference between the styles of the middle ages and the Renaissance is realism. While art of the middle ages predominantly lacked a realistic look, it became the focus of most Renaissance art. Perspective was also introduced near the beginning of the Renaissance era, lending greater depth to paintings reduced in this era.
While the paintings of the middle ages looked flat with slightly dull colors, the paintings of the Renaissance era had depth and became more vibrant in color due to the increased use of oil paints. (“The Relationship between the Middle Ages and Renaissance. ” Web log post. Pious Fabrications. N. P. , 30 Cot. 2011. Web. 15 DCE. 2013. ) Madonna and Child was painted by Paolo did Giovanni Fee during the sass’s. The colors are muted, but the background and the frame are leafed in gold. The figures, especially the hands of both and the feet on the baby, are unrealistic.