Humanism and Renaissance Period

Subject: Art
Pages: 2
Words: 616
Reading time:
3 min
Study level: College

The aim of this essay is to comprehend the influences prompted by both south and north renaissance. The affected humanity studies such influences in terms of arts, sciences, mathematics, and church. Also, it looks at how their works of art influenced humanity and the world (D’Elia, 2009). These works include paintings, poetry, and architecture. The artists include Raphael and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Resurrection by Piero Della Francesca depicted an element of humanism. The artist was keen to miniature details and display of nature on the background was common (D’Elia, 2009). Conversely, Deposition by Weyden used the techniques of isolating the drawings from their immediate environments. This also symbolized an element of affection.

The paintings of the two artists reveal a deeper closeness with humanity and a chance to know them. Thus, the works are windows to peep into the souls of humanity. Humanism was a movement that began in the 16th century and touched on human values. It achieved this by observing the daily lives of people. It shaped worldviews, art, education, and even church.

The order demanded the practitioner of this movement to know poetry, mathematics, sciences, and arts and could express such wealth of knowledge clearly (Nauert, 2006). Artists of all renaissance divide-South, as well as North, augmented their interest in studying nature enthusiastically. The renewed interest in humanity helped various artists alongside scientists achieve remarkable feats.

Renaissance in the South believed that people ought to think clearly in achieving merit. They also considered that humanity could help them attain their full potential by utilizing God-given talents (D’Elia, 2009). Their quest of human understanding also included an interest in nature, as well as science. Conversely, the North stressed on real life.

They highlighted the need to depict things in their natural setting. They believed that humanity capable of sane reasoning could also be evil. Such differences resulted in viewing people from diverse angles. The southern renaissance that comprised of Italian artists like Leonard Da Vinci and Raphael utilized realism. This painting aimed at showing real life without romanticizing.

The Southern artists also portrayed the human element in showing how they cared about an individual (D’Elia, 2009). Conversely, Northern Renaissance artists who included Rogier Weyden and Hans Holbein used a religious aspect to depict the society. These artists also grew interested in landscape and genre painting, in understanding humanity.

In Philosophy, Raphael reveals religion in high esteem as the place of spiritual nourishment for humanity. The painting also shows the essence of the church is closer to the man in aiding in their self-fulfillment (Nauert, 2006). During this phase, the church was taking a critical part in effecting changes, and Raphael appreciated that fact in his painting.

This painting has both spiritual and natural meaning. The painting aims at awakening the consciousness of both the church and society to exist in harmony. Leonardo Da Vinci’s most renowned paintings include Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Mona Lisa, a portrait of a smiling woman, is the most prominent painting globally. This is because of Da Vinci’s keen on use of detail and care, a characteristic he possessed.

At this epoch, artists were depicting real life in the form of Christian Humanism. Da Vinci embraced this form to reveal the depth of humanity (D’Elia, 2009). This shows a committed artist in educating and entertaining society. In conclusion, humanism as a movement resulted in a deeper understanding of people in society.

Artists, e.g., Leonardo Da Vinci, Pierro Della, Raphael, and reformists, for instance, Martin Luther were able to teach, educate, and entertain society. The vivid depiction of life, as it was and study of nature, led to a rethinking of human values and the proper way of living.

References

D’Elia, U. (2009).Painting in the Renaissance. New York, NY: Crabtree Publishing

Nauert, C. (2006).Humanism and the culture of Renaissance Europe. Paris, PA. Cambridge University press.