Medieval and Renaissance are two different periods in the world history between which we can see an enormous difference in art, music, fashion, architecture, etc. Of these, the most vibrant and distinguishing feature was art. Thus, the main focus of this article is to look at the differences between medieval and renaissance art. It is believed that the colors associated with the art works of the medieval period are dull when compared to the colors used by the Renaissance artists. Artists of the medieval period relied more on religious aspects of art depiction. On the other hand, the artists of the renaissance period relied more on the realistic aspects of life than religious aspects. This is one of the main differences between the two types of art. There are other differences between the two types of art styles, medieval and renaissance, that we will discuss in this article. Show
What is Medieval Art?The Medieval period of art existed between 476 and 1600 AD during which the medieval period in history existed. The medieval period of art was looked upon as an age of beliefs and religious faiths. It was laden with work that depicted fears and superstitions. This was due to the fact that the people during the medieval period believed more in superstitions. As a result, they were filled with fear. Even the part of the medieval times that were known as Dark Ages had some dark effect on art. When we look at the works of the artists of the medieval period, we can see that the colors are dull or darker. This is simply because of the atmosphere in the world during that time with the church spreading fear of God and people not being able to think for themselves. Donatello, Giotto, Filippo Brunelleschi are some names of famous medieval painters. What is Renaissance Art?On the other hand, the Renaissance period of art lasted from 14th century to 17th century during which the Renaissance period of the history also existed. This was from about 1370 AD until modern art began. Renaissance was looked upon as an age of enlightenment. The Renaissance period of art was also looked upon as a rebirth period. It was regarded as an age of hope. Superstitions and unwanted fear did not exist during the Renaissance art period. People were beginning to think more logically without accepting everything that church said during this time. This change in the thought pattern was illustrated as paintings too. The colors used by the artists of the Renaissance period in the making of their art pieces are brighter. In other words, it can be said that Renaissance artists used richer colors in their depiction of art. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael are some names of famous renaissance painters. What is the difference between Medieval and Renaissance?• Time:• The Medieval period existed between 476 and 1600 AD. • On the other hand, the Renaissance period lasted from the 14th century to 17th century. This is from about 1370 AD until modern art began. This is an important difference between Medieval and Renaissance. • Beliefs:• Medieval period was full of superstitions and the fear of God. • Renaissance period was full of logical thinking and less thinking of God as a fearsome being. • Influence of the Church on Art:• As church had an upper hand in deciding every factor during the medieval era, art was also influenced very much by the church. • As church did not have that much of an influence over people by this time, artists were free to paint what topics they wanted. • Color Selection of Art:• In Medieval art, colors were dull or dark. • In Renaissance art, colors were bright. • Art Themes:• Medieval art had themes such as Christianity and superstitions. • Renaissance art had religious themes too. However, the art during Renaissance explored more topics such as the beauty and the nature of the human being. • Famous Painters:• Donatello, Giotto, Filippo Brunelleschi are some names of famous medieval painters. • Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael are some names of famous renaissance painters. These are the differences between the two terms, namely, medieval and renaissance art. As you can see the main difference between the two art styles arises due to the influence the church had over society in each period. Images Courtesy: The Effects of Good Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, 1338 and Mona Lisa via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
Renaissance art and medieval art are two very different types of art movements. They are both essential art movements for their periods. Medieval art was art that was created in the middle ages. During the middle ages, art was mainly religious and was concerned with conveying Christian beliefs and values to the population. Renaissance art was less focused on religion but was more focused on the perfect human form and showing the daily life of people, including human emotions. Renaissance art was a very realistic art form inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art. Renaissance Art And Medieval Art Periods Had Different FocusesRenaissance art and Medieval art had very different artistic focuses. Medieval art was focused on religion, particularly conveying Christian beliefs and values. Religion was at the center of Medieval art. Renaissance art was not as focused on religion but on people and their daily lives and how they lived those lives. Renaissance Art And Medieval Art Had Different Artistic StylesRenaissance art focused on perspective, including the proportions of the subject matter. For the renaissance artist, the human form and making a human form as realistic as possible was essential to them. Medieval art did not focus on this; their paintings were flat, and they did not care much about whether the paintings had realistic proportions. They often use just a single color on an object and did not try to make things such as skin tones and other aspects of the human figure realistic. Renaissance Art And Medieval Art Had Different Periods Of HistoryRenaissance art and Medieval art were during different periods of history. Medieval art was during the period known as the middle ages. It was the time during the fall of the Roman empire or from about 250 BC to mid 1400s. During the middle age, there was a declining population and a collapse of central authority, including invasions and mass migration of tribes and people. So it could be said that the middle ages were a time of great wars, expansions, and upheavals. The Renaissance was considered to be a time of rebirth or reawakening. It is also known as the age of discovery, as many discoveries occurred. For example, in the mid-1400s Gutenberg invented the printing press. The Renaissance took place from the end of the 15th Century to the 17th Century It was a time of great rebirth and discoveries. The Renaissance was a time when the world was changing. Discoveries were taking place and new inventions were occurring. Renaissance And Middle Ages Had Different Views Of GodSignificant differences between the Medieval art of the middle ages and the Renaissance era was how they saw God and worldly pleasures. During the Middle Ages, people believed that they could demonstrate their loyalty to God by wearing rough clothing and eating plain food. It was almost ; pioustheir belief system and how God viewed them and viewed pleasure was tied into religion. Pleasure was something considered to be taboo. During the Renaissance, people in the church had their utmost respect, and the church authority was not to be questioned. Bu during the Renaissance, people began to believe that they could enjoy life without offending God. So in many of the artwork and paintings of the Renassiance, you can see this demonstrated. Also, many people during the Renaissance have very different views and thoughts. They began to question the church and engage more in free thought or free will. Many in the Renaissance, including the artist, had a reawakening as it was a time of learning, exploring, and developing things that they thought could make life better for all humankind. The Renaissance And Medieval Art Had Very Different Artistic FocusesThe focus between the Renaissance artists and the Medieval artists was highly different. During the Middle Ages period, very few people could read or write, and it was a time of enormous economic hardship People were ruled by overly violent and bloodthirsty kings and emperors; it was a time when there were very few inventions or improvements, and strict governing rules confined people. In short, the Medieval or the middle ages was when most people were trying to survive, keep their heads down, and get on with life without being forced into a war or be killed. Last Supper (1304-1306) by Giotto di Bondone; under the Medieval PeriodThe major art movements of medieval art are considered to be as follows:
As you can see, medieval art covers an enormous scope of time and place. In fact, for over 1000 years in Europe and other parts of western Asia and North Africa was the medieval art movement. Medieval art has a very different focus than the renaissance period of art. One of the most important things to remember is that the Renaissance art marked an abrupt break from medieval art and medieval values. The renaissance period of art started in Italy, but Renassisannace art was a time of rebirth and reawakening so i brought with the movement some of the greatest artists and artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci under the Renaissance PeriodHere are some of the things that were important and inspired the Renaissance artists:
If you are going to use one word to describe the Renaissance, the word would need to be rebirth. The Renaissnace was a time when the world was looking at new reawakening, Medieval art was a dark time for the world. Renaissance art was a time when art was being reborn again. Artists were trying new techniques and learning new things to develop the human form more realistically. But more than that, the Renaissance art era gave us many talented and gifted artists who have continued to inspire many artists throughout the ages. Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy! If you are interested to see any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here. We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here. Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here. Page 2
Rembrandt is one of the most famous painters who has ever lived. Rembrandt’s life is filled with many interesting facts. Like many artists who have lived, their lives and art make a fascinating history. Rembrandt was not only an exceptional artist but also had quite a fascinating history filled with interesting facts. Here are 20 of our most interesting facts about the Dutch painter Rembrandt Rembrandt Is Know By One NameRembrandt Rembrandt’s full name is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. But like many other artists, he is known by only his first name – Rembrandt. The actual “d” on his name is silent, so he changed to sign his name in 1633 from Rembrant to Rembrandt. He never used the full version of his name for his artworks. Rembrandt Lived In 17th Century Holland.Rembrandt was born in 1606. His father was a miller and comfortably off, but his family was by no account wealthy. His parents were able to send Rembrandt to the town’s Latin school, where he was able to learn Latin. Rembrandt’s Favorite Subject Was HimselfSelf Portrait at the Age of 63 (1669) By Rembrandt Undoubtedly, one of Rembrandt’s most famous subjects was himself. Many artists produced portraits of themselves, but Rembrandt was more prolific than most other artists. There are more than 90 known self-portraits of Rembrandt. His love for painting his self-portraits did not end there because he also painted himself in many of his paintings. You can find a picture of him as a spectator in the crowd at various works of art, including The Stoning at Saint Stephen and The Rising of the Cross. He Started At The University Of Leiden At Age 14Rembrandt began studying at the famous University of Leiden in Holland at 14. This would have been highly unusual for the miller’s son at this time to go to University. We know that academic life did not suit him, so after a few months, he left his university studies to begin an apprenticeship as a painter. Rembrandt Stayed In Holland To Study ArtWhen Rembrandt decided to become a painter, the advice during that time was that he should go to Italy. He did not follow the advice given to young painters during that time; he felt he could learn everything about art in his native Netherlands. Rembrandt Made Himself A Name As A Painter Of HistoryBecause of the protestant reformation, the local church no longer provided artists with commissions as the Catholic Church did in other countries such as Italy. Consequently, artists had to find a way to get commissions from private individuals. Rembrandt quickly began to make a name for himself as a painter of historical subjects. Rembrandt Married An Art Dealer’s Younger CousinIn about 1631, Rembrandt decided to move from Leiden to Amsterdam. At that time, Amsterdam was the most prosperous port in Northern Europe and was crowded with merchants from every nation.
Amsterdam also offered young and successful artists the opportunity to sell their works of art. He moved into the home of an art dealer called Hendrick van Uylenburgh, and while there, he met his landlord’s younger cousin Sasha. They were married in 1634. Rembrandt Was Happily Married To SaskiaBy all accounts, it seems that Rembrandt was happily married to Saskia; he produced many paintings and drawings of Saskia. Saskia by Rembrandt The couple gave birth to their first son Rumbartus who died after two weeks. Over the next four years, more children were born but died shortly after birth. In 1641, their fourth child Titus was born and survived. Saskia Died And Left A Will For The Use Of Her FortuneRembrandt’s Titus, The Artist’s Son In 1642, shortly after Titus was born, Saskia died. She made a will that left Rembrandt and Titus her fortune but stipulated that Rembrandt’s share would be lost if he married again. Rembrandt’s Domestic Life Became ComplicatedHendrickje Stoffels After Saskia died, Rembrandt was left alone with a tiny baby to take care of. He took on a widow named Geertge Dircx; she became his common-law wife for a short time. Rembrandt then took on another servant Hendrickje Stoffels, and he fell in love with her. Geertge took Rembrandt to court because he had promised to marry her and had broken that promise with Herdrickje. Rembrandt accused Geertge of stealing some of the Saskia jewelry that she left to Titus and had Geertge sent to the house of corrections. Because of the strict terms of Saskia’s will, Rembrandt could not afford to marry, Hendrickje, but they lived together, and she appeared in many of his paintings. Rembrandt Became One Of The Most Famous Artists In AmsterdamRambadt quickly became one of Amsterdam’s most famous and essential artists. Professionally his life continued to go from strength to strength. He began to produce a variety of portraits and had many art commissions. Rembrandt Was Known To Squander MoneyEven though Rembrandt was considered highly successful with his art, he was known to spend and squander quite a bit of money. He was a compulsive buyer of arts and collected all manners of antiquities, props, and weapons used in his paintings. Rembrandt had cash flow problems; Saskia had her own money, and her family accused him of squandering her fortune. Rembrandt Was Declared BankruptIn the 1650s, Amsterdam was hit by a massive economic depression; this financial situation hit Rembrandt very hard. Rembrandt had not even completed half the payments on his house, so his creditors started to chase him for money. In July 1656, Rembrandly successfully applied for “cessio bonorum,” a form of bankruptcy that allowed him to avoid prison time. All his goods, including an impressive collection of paintings, were sold off for a pittance. Rembrandt, Titus, and Hendrickje were forced to move across town to a poor district; Rembrandt continued to paint. Rembrandt’s Son Titus Was Left To Look After HimIn 1663, Hendrickje died after a long and challenging illness. Titus was left to look after his father. Rembrandt had severe money problems and was forced to sell Saskia’s tomb. But even with the money problems, he continued to squander money on artifacts and art. In 1668, Titus married the daughter of a family friend; then he died seven months later; six months after his death, a daughter named Titia was born. In 1669, Rembrandt died and was buried next to Hendrickje and Titus; there was no official notice of his death. Rembrandt Painted Many Self-Portraits In The Last 20 Years of LifeThe last 20 years of Rembrandt’s life were quite tricky. His first wife died, he became bankrupt, was forced to give up everything, and moved to a much poor section of town. But one thing he never did was stop painting. During the last twenty years of his life, he used himself as a model; with more frequency than before, he painted many self-portraits. Rembrandt Could Have Suffered From Stereo BlindnessMany modern doctors believe that Rembrandt could have suffered from stereo blindness, which would ensure he was unable to see in 3-D. Stereo blindness occurs when one person only has one functioning eye or when the two eyes do not function together correctly. Scientists reached their conclusion from an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 16, 2004; medical personnel who studied Rembrandt’s self-portraits concluded that the artist had the condition of Stereo Blindness. Rembrandt’s Secretly Embedded Codes In His WorksRembrandt was known to use secret codes in his artwork. He was very fond of embedding secret codes and messages into his work. Some of his paintings contain ciphers and visual riddles. For example, The Alchemist painting has a secret code that reads God in Hebrew. Caravaggio Influenced Rembrandt’s PaintingsRembrandt’s paintings were influenced by the Italian artist Caravaggio’s use of light and dark. He started experimenting with the dramatic use of light and dark developed by Caravaggio. From 1630 onward, we can see the influence of Caravaggio’s art on Rembrandt’s art. Rembrandt developed a new way of painting faces with patterns of light and shadows; this new way of painting ensured the paintings came to life. Rembrandt Taught Other StudentsAs Rembrandt was a master, he had many students in his studio who studied under him. We do not know of other students who rose to this height of celebrity or technique as Rembrandt had developed. The fact he had so many students shows how genuinely talented Rembrandt was. Some Rembrandt Paintings May Be Works Of OthersMany other paintings contributed to Rembrandt may be the works of others. For part of his life, Rembrandt ran a large studio with many students, so it was the current practice back then to work on a painting already started by their teacher, and together with Rembrandt, the student may have finished it. It is hard to know whether some of the paintings are all of Rembrandt’s work or one of his students. We do not know of any of Rembrandt’s students complaining about him passing their work off as his own. Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy! If you are interested to see any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here. We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you anytime. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here. Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here. Page 3
Anyone traveling to Hawaii should also learn a bit about Hawaii’s art and culture. Hawaiian art has a fascinating history. Hawaiian art is divided into three main periods of art: pre-European art, Nonnative Hawaiian Art, and Hawaiian Art With Western Influences. After Captain Cook arrived in Hawaii in 1773, traditional Hawaiian art changed as the western culture started to influence Hawaiian art. The Volcano School of Art developed in Hawaii in the late 1800s when the artist’s work became impacted by the live volcanic eruptions in Hawaii. Diamond Head from Waikiki’, oil on canvas painting by Enoch Wood Perry, Jr., c. 18651 – There are 3 Main Periods of Hawaiian ArtHawaiian Art is usually divided up into three main groups of art. Each of these groups are defined as:
2 – Hawaiian’s Art And Traditional Polynesian ArBefore Captain Cook arrived at the Hawaiian islands, most of the art produced in Hawaii was wood carvings, tattoos, feather work, stone carvings, petroglyph, and barkcloth known as Kapa cloth; the petroglyph’s art is stone carvings carved into some of the Hawaiian rocks. During this period of time, the Hawaiian islands had no metal or woven cloth. Kapa (bark cloth from Hawaii,Honolulu Museum of Art accession 1084.13 – Traditional Hawaiian Kapa FabricOne of the traditional Hawaiian art forms is the Kapa fabric. Kapa fabric is produced by native Hawaiian artisans from the fibers of certain trees and shrubs. Kapa fabric is very similar to the tapa cloth found elsewhere in Polynesia. Kapa cloth is based primarily on the creative combination of basic bold yet linear elements and forms.The Kapa fabric was used primarily for traditional Hawaiian clothing. Most of the work of the Kapa cloth was done by women; the mothers would pass down this art form to their daughters. Besides the museum, you can see some Kapa or Tapa cloth at the Polynesia Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. In some of their cultural villages, you can see how this kind of cloth was worn or used in Polynesia. To find out more about how you can visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, you can click here. 4 – Kakau – Traditional Hawaiian Tattoo ArtAnother interesting traditional Hawaiian art form was Kakau, or the Hawaiian art of tattooing. Hawaii was governed by a strict Kapu or a taboo cultural system; the tattoos became part of this system. The tattoos also served as part of the recognition for the class or caste system. The tattoos were for ornamentation, class distinction, and to help the health and spiritual well-being of those who had worn the body art. The images used with Kakau or Hawaii tattoo art varied from lizards that were greatly respected and feared and symbols like the Hawaiian crescent fan. Intricate patterns tattooed on Hawaiian men’s arms, legs, torso, and face would mimic woven reeds or other natural forms. Women were generally tattooed on the hand, fingers, wrist, and sometimes the tongue. Not just anyone could apply these tattoos; highly-skilled Kakuna art experts applied the tattoos. The design also varied as much as the Kakau tattoo artist’s ability and experience. The entire process of the Kakau tattoo art was also a highly guarded secret. Eventually, the Kakau Hawaiian system of tattoo art began to collapse. The ancient ways of this traditional tattoo art began to vanish from the islands. As more European settlers and missionaries came to the islands, the Kakau tattoo art was discouraged and even suppressed until, eventually, many of this traditional art form’s designs and techniques faded away. Death of Captain James Cook oil on canvas by George Carter 1783.5 – Western Influences Changed Hawaiian ArtThe arrival of westerners to Hawaii and then the subsequent formation of Hawaii into a state of the United States has greatly influenced the art of native Hawaiians. A great deal of the art produced by the native Hawaiians and long-term Hawaii residents now incorporates western materials and ideas. Even today, most Hawaiian artists will keep their subject matter distinctively Hawaiian while incorporating the art with materials from the west. That is why most of the art produced in Hawaii integrates an artistic melting of traditional Hawaiian art and western art. Hawaiian quilt, Lei Mamo’, late 19th century6 – Hawaiian Quilting Taught By Christian MissionariesThe Hawaiian quilt is an example of an art form that came to Hawaii after the westerners first came to Hawaii. The missionaries who came to Hawai in the early 1800s taught the Hawaiian women the art of quilting. Many of the earliest Hawaiian quilts go back as early as the 1820s; the artisans pieced together these early Hawaiian quilts with old scraps of fabric. It was not until the 1870s that the Hawaiian quilt story really begins to unfold. The Hawaiian quilts are usually two colors, one color for the background and one color for the appliqué. Jules Tavernier 1844-1889 The Crater of Kilauea Island of Hawaii -BORGM 02088 – Russell Cotes Art Gallery Museum7 – The Volcano School of Hawaiian ArtThe Volcano School of Hawaiian art was formed by a group of non-native Hawaiian artists who started to paint dramatic scenes from Hawaii’s two active volcanos. These western artists were fascinated with Hawaii’s intermittently active volcanos in the 1860s and 1890s in Kilauea and Mauna Loa. To even get to the volcano to paint the volcanic eruptions was a huge feat. The volcano in Kilauea was a two or three-day round-trip journey on horseback. One of the most important artists of this Volcano School was Jules Tavernier (1844 – 1889). The King Kamehameha Statue outside the Hawaii Supreme Court in Honolulu.8 – Hawaii Has Two King Kamehameha StatuesIn 1878, Walter M. Gibson, a member of the Hawaiian government, wanted to commemorate the hundred-year arrival of Captain Cook to the Hawaiian islands. The legislature approved a statue to be made of King Kamehameha for $10,000. They hired Thomas R. Gould, a Boston sculptor living in Florence, Italy, to create King Kamehameha’s statue. The King Kamehameha statue was too late for the hundred-year-old anniversary celebrations. In 1883, the King Kamehameha statue was placed onboard a sailing ship to Hawaii. Near the Falkland Islands, the shipwrecked and the King Kamehameha statue was thought to be lost at sea. As the King Kamehameha statue was insured, the Hawaii government received $12,000 in the insurance payout, and immediately, a second casting of the statue was commissioned. Before the second statue arrived in Hawaii, the original King Kamehameha statue was recovered from the sea by some Falkland Islanders. These Falkland Islanders sold the statue to the Captain of the shipwreck for $500, and the Captain then sold it onto Walter M Gibsons for $875. Hawaii now has two King Kamehameha statues. The original statue stands near Kings Kamehameha’i place in Kapa’au on the Big Island of Hawaii. The 2nd statue stands in front of the Ali’iolani Hale, which is now home to Hawaii’s Supreme Court. Ooro One of the Principal Officers of Kamehameha II pen and ink wash over graphite by Jacques Arago 1819 Honolulu Academy of Arts9 – The Hawaiian “Percent For Art” LawIn 1967 Hawaii became the first state in the United States to implement a “Percent For Art” law. This law states that 1% of the construction cost of any new public school or state buildings would be designated to acquire artwork. These works of art could be purchased by commission or by an outright purchase. 10 – View Hawaiian Art Collections in Hawaii and GermanyThere are 4 major locations n that world that you can view collections of Hawaiian art. Three of those locations are in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Oahu’s island, and the last location is in Germany.
11 – Word For Art in the Hawaiian LanguageThe word for art in the Hawaiian language is Hana noʻeau. Here are some other words in the Hawaiian language:
Hawaiian art is such an interesting kind of art. Not only is it rich in the history of Polynesia, but it is also an art that has changed and evolved as the Hawaiian islands have also changed and evolved. What Is A Japanese Woodblock Print?A Japanese woodblock print is, as the name implies, a print that is made by using carved woodblock and applying ink on the woodblocks to print a design on paper. The Japanese woodblock artists use the woodblocks to print artistic prints and even books. Artists have used the woodblock print technique in Japan for hundreds of years. You can learn more by reading What Is A Japanese Woodblock Print? by clicking here. What Is The Main Difference Between Japanese and Chinese Art?The main differences between Japanese and Chinese art include the materials used and how they were executed. Religion played a major role in influencing both Japanese and Chinese art. Both countries were Buddhist, but Japan also had the Shintoism influence, and China had Confucianism and Taoist. You can discover more by reading What Is The Main Difference Between Japanese and Chinese Art? by clicking here. |