The Renaissance was a period of great strides, both artistically and religiously. Great artists such as Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni and Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci both created memorable works that were exceptionally pleasing to the eye. The church grew substantially as well, and this influence artists by forcing them to focus on sacred subjects and characters that represented self-denial. It was here in Italy that the artists were forced to reconcile art and religion.
Michelangelo’s Statue of David provides a perfect example of the combination. David represents a biblical figure, a sacred subject, because he defeats the much stronger Goliath in a heroic fashion. Furthermore, David is nude, which signifies a relinquishing of material goods for religious aspects. However, the statue is aesthetically pleasing because of Michelangelo’s quality technique of sculpting and his pure talent. It is pleasing to look at because of the use of the Golden Ration, which helps make the limbs of David symmetric and proportional in length. Michelangelo places his artistic talent into a religious subject.
Leonardo da Vinci also unites religion and aestheticism in his work of art, Virgin of the Rocks. This painting focuses on the religious figures, Jesus, Mary, Gabriel, and John the Baptist. It depicts a religious event and shows asceticism because the babies do not have belongings and the other characters are dressed modestly. On the other hand, the painting is aesthetically pleasing because of the contrasting colors and defined shapes. The pathway in the picture also suggests a possible option away from religion.
Michelangelo and da Vinci united religious asceticism and secular aestheticism.
Team 4: Cody Dunn, Stephen Hwang, Carlton Lew, Tyler Wong
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