Due to the similarities and differences between Medieval and Renaissance art, it has made them two of the greatest time periods. The western world saw many great accomplishments in artwork during the Medieval and Renaissance times. Numerous famous works from these time periods are still studied and enjoyed by many people today. Some of the more noteworthy types of artistic expression from the Medieval and Renaissance periods include sculpture, architecture, and painting. The art of these time period was largely influenced by the time in history, the controlling forces of society, and as it is today, money.

The medieval time period started around 500 A.D. and lasted until 1400 A.D. Following the extravagant era of the Roman Empire, the more feudal medieval time period swept across Europe. The greatest influence upon culture at that time was the Catholic Church. The people of medieval times were more interested in the principle that the life of the spirit and the afterworld was superior to building and enjoying earthly culture. Most of the works of art center around the church, as they were the major financial supporter of art during this time. Therefore, the information

The artists of the Renaissance period were not funded completely by the Catholic Church, as the Catholic Church was not as zealous and in control as in the previous time period. Also, more private funding of artwork was available. The works of the Renaissance are religious and non religious. The figures look flawless, dynamic, and show movement. The faces of these figures show expression. These figures may be clothed or nude. This Renaissance art showed great use of perspective and used full backgrounds with colors responding to the lighting. The work showed great detail. Also, there was a great interest in nature. Art evolved into great colorful works from the time of the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Pertaining to the fact that it is Renaissance, the figures show movement and they are both clothed and nude (see appendix C and D). Notice the “child” has a more child like face opposed to the “child” in the medieval sculpture. Although these two examples do not show many different facial expression, many of the sculpted figures of the renaissance do show many different emotions.

Italy is where the Renaissance began around 1400 A.D. lasted until 1600 A.D.. The word Renaissance literally means, “re-birth.” It was a revival of the classical forms originally developed by ancient Greeks and Romans. This time period emphasized interest in humanism and importance of the individual. It was not necessarily focused on the spiritual realm as exclusively as the medieval times. Not only did the church fund artwork, but private citizens also purchased and collected artwork in a culture where the economy was much better than in medieval times. The Renaissance period in art history corresponded to the beginning of the great western age of discovery and exploration, when there was a general desire developed to examine all aspects of nature and the world. The artwork of the time was and continues to be an expression of the culture.

A radical break with medieval methods of representing the visible world occurred in Italy during the Renaissance. Many sculptors evoked an interest in the forms of classical antiquity. They gave the human figure a greater sense of physical presence. They also worked toward a more realistic depiction of space. Sculptors used many different mediums to express themselves. In the appendix you will see both a bronze and a marble sculpture (see appendix A and B).

Architecture of the medieval and Renaissance periods were two completely different styles. In medieval times Gothic Cathedrals and also Romanesque style were the main form of architecture. Villas, palaces, and churches emphasized architecture of the Renaissance. The definition of architect was different between these time periods too.

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