Research Paper On Renaissance Art

Known as the Renaissance, this period of time following the Middle Ages was brimming with artistic, scientific, and cultural “rebirth”. During this period, political stability and prosperity fostered a revival of interest in classical learning, humanism, and values of ancient Greek and Rome culture. At the same time, new technologies such as the printing press, diffused newfound philosophies and ideas throughout Europe. As humanism became a prominent aspect during this time, artists explored with new techniques and styles. Renaissance artwork depicted the developments of social, political, and economic aspects of European life.

Renaissance artwork reflected the new found humanistic values of the time. Although artwork comprised of mix of

Europe’s rigid social structure solidified, limiting the role of women in societies. A upper class women's job was to find a suitable husband, many times in order to strengthen family ties. Similarly, middle and lower class women were expected to do the same; but also, work in shops to provide financial assistance. However, women working in shops was more common in northern Europe than Italy. With these high social and cultural limitations, Renaissance art allowed women to gain social mobility. A popular option for women during this time was to become convents as a liberating alternative to marriage, Convents could learn how to read and paint and participate in enriching activities otherwise restristricted. Recent unearthing of resources found that women many times were educated in the arts from their fathers, such as Lavinia Fontana and Barbara Longhi. On the other hand, Plautilla Nelli , a notable female artist, gained knowledge of the arts through becoming a nun. Although denied right, woman who were able to circumvent cultural norms and gain recognition. Because artists came from all strata of society, Renaissance art was a means of social

Some historical and renowned artworks of Michelangelo is the Sistine Chapel Mural and the sculpture of David. While Da Vinci is known as a sculptor, painter, architect, and also an inventor, it is indisputable that his most famous work is the Mona Lisa. Due to the Medici family’s sponsorship of the arts, Renaissance art was able to spread and flourish and become a prominent cultural aspect of Europe. Now, the reason as to why political figures’ patronage of the arts was so important is due to the fact that during the Renaissance, many of the famous paintings and sculptures we see today are the results of commissions. For example, the Sistine Chapel was a commission from a Medici family Pope to Michelangelo. The Mona Lisa was another commission from a high standing political figure in Europe. Furthermore, the Medici family also sponsored several great architectural feats from history. For example, the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens, the Belvedere, the Medici Chapel, and the Palazzo Medici are just a few of the many commissions from the Medici family. Ultimately, the arts were not only a symbol of political power and wealth, but also reflected the ideologies and values of the people who commissioned them from the