MAIN Art & Culture Art History

The most praiseworthy form of painting is the
one that most resembles what it imitates.
-- Leonardo da Vinci

During the European Middle Ages, painting largely focused on Christian themes.

However, as the Renaissance emerged more interest was shown in Ancient Greek and Roman classical art that led to many changes in both the technical aspects of painting as well as to their subject matter.

Lines drawn over The Annunication focus the
viewer's attention on da Vinci's use of perspective.

Painters began to enhance the realism of their work by using new techniques in perspective, and for the first time rendering the world in three dimensions. They also began incorporating new techniques that more realistically contrasted the play between natural light and shadow.

The Renaissance - rebelling against heavy medieval reliance on Mother Church - was an era's individualist spirit that was championed by the likes of painter/sculptor Michelangelo - who famously signed his Pieta so that onlookers would know it was he who created it!

Detail, from Van Eyck's Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife.

Art was finally asserting itself - depicting themes from ancient mythology in addition to Christian subject matter. This genre of art is often referred to as Renaissance classicism, and (in addition to Michelangelo) had its other chief proponents in Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

Another equally important but less well-known figure of the Renaissance was Flemish painter Jan van Eyck who is often attributed with "bringing the Renaissance North" with near photo-realistic depictions of people and everyday household objects as seen in Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife.

also see -> Old Master Paintings | Michelangelo's Florence

Da Vinci Code Clues & Symbols