Similarities Between Renaissance Art And Renaissance Art

This essay will show the similarities between Renaissance Art and Contemporary Photography Images, whilst also analysing links to the depiction of the female in both western visual culture.

The Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th Century, a time of a great crisis. The plague, the hundred years of war and upset in the Catholic Church, that shook people’s beliefs and faith in the Church. This was a time of deprivation and despair. The Italians were surrounded by the remains of the ancient Greek and Romans, with spectacular buildings, Greek writings and art. The Europeans need a change, an injection of life with a cultural change in ideas. A rebirth; A Renaissance.

The Renaissance artist wanted the viewer to feel compelled towards the church while looking at their paintings, in anticipation for them to believe in their faith and to become a better person. The majority of art in this time was derived not only from biblical stories but also from writings of the Greeks referring to their Gods. The artist, predominately male, would paint stories from the Bible as they were commissioned to by the Church. Ordinarily they would paint Madonna (Mother Mary) and later painted Eve and Venus nude. As time moved on the artists would be commissioned by Kings, Noble men, and wealthy business man to paint nudes of their mistress’ to be hang in their houses.

Later in the 19th century when photographs of nudes were being taken, the female form was photographed in many ways. Initially the