Art and Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth in which western society revitalized its interest in classical ideals and expression. This period of rediscovery had origins in the late 13th Century and continued through the 17th century with the peak or “High Renaissance” occurring during the time of Michelangelo around 1500. The Renaissance brought several key characteristics of western cannon back to the forefront of society including an appreciation for the human form and human expression not utilized in the more stoic middle ages. This period also introduced the development of linear perspective, which in conjunction with proper scaling and ratios, allowed new immersive visuals for art pieces. To truly investigate what occurred during the Renaissance, it is useful to look at three main classes of art found in the period: Architecture, Sculpture, and Paintings. By exploring these art forms, one can understand the connections each form has with the others along with a connection to the general ideals of the Renaissance. The influence of Renaissance thought was felt earliest in the realm of architecture. In a direct call to roman and Hellenistic style, the use of columns and open arcades called Loggia were key features of Romanesque architecture popularized during the early centuries of the Renaissance. The overall use of symmetry, harmony, and order became a common motif that demonstrated the Renaissance’s connection with antiquity and a restoration of popular classical