Renaissance synthesis ash.p3.t4.

During the Renaissance and Middle ages religion played a big part in the way society viewed the world. For example, many people believed that God made the Earth and men the middle of the universe. The way society viewed religion was highly reflected in artwork during the Renaissance. Some of the most famous artists during this time were Michelagnelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Though each of these artists had a distinct art style, there were common ideas and themes that were reflected in their art pieces—the strongest theme being religion.

Leonardo Da Vinci is famous for many pieces of art, but one in particular reflects how he viewed society—the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Many view the ceiling as a work by the Gods, but in fact Da Vinci painted the ceiling to reflect the disorder among humans. During the Renaissance humanitarianism was becoming important to the people of the time, but Da Vinci went against this common view held by people. His artwork, though incorporating the need for Jesus and God, reflected the opposite of humanitarianism. This shifting in the messages conveyed by artists during the Renaissances is directly related with the scientific break throughs that were occurring during the era. During this time science was disproving claims made by the church. For example, Galileo and his telescope proved that the Earth was not the center of the universe. As people began the question the authority of the church the views of the people changed, and so did the messages that the artists communicated within their art, such as in the case of Da Vinci.
Though Da Vinci went against the common view of the world in some of his artworks, the theme of religion was strong in his work as well as in the work of Michelangelo. Both of these artists created art that reflected humans; a bit of humanitarianism is seen through this strong theme of human life captured in art. The humans reflected in the art were usually naked—a symbol of purity. Humans in the art were often times seen wearing angel wings creating a strong bond between humans on earth and those who have passed on to heaven.
Much of the beauty reflected in both Da Vinci and Michelangelo’s work was in the detail put into drawing the human body. Michelangelo specifically took a great interest in the aesthetics of the human body. He would take dead bodies and dissect them as to perfect the structure of specific muscles he was drawing in his artwork.
Artwork during the Renaissances was highly influenced by religion and discoveries. Religion was the theme most commonly seen in artwork. Religion was incorporated in the message of the artwork as well as the appearance of the humans in the artwork. Art, along with new philosophical ideas, helped progress the evolution of knowledge and thoughts during the Renaissances period.