Short Term Legacy
“Animals also carried a rich variety of symbolic associations often drawn from the past. The lamb served as an important sacrificial animal in ancient Near Eastern religious rites, including those of the Israelites. Animals also served as vehicles for religious allegory and moral instruction.” - “Animals in Medieval Art” The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Renaissance art, painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature produced during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries in Europe under the combined influences of an increased awareness of nature, a revival of classical learning, and a more individualistic view of man.” - “Renaissance Art” Encyclopedia Britannica
“Humanism had several significant features. First, it took human nature in all of its various manifestations and achievements as its subject. Second, it stressed the unity and compatibility of the truth found in all philosophical and theological schools and systems, a doctrine known as syncretism. Third, it emphasized the dignity of man. In place of the medieval ideal of a life of penance as the highest and noblest form of human activity, the humanists looked to the struggle of creation and the attempt to exert mastery over nature. Finally, humanism looked forward to a rebirth of a lost human spirit and wisdom. In the course of striving to recover it, however, the humanists assisted in the consolidation of a new spiritual and intellectual outlook and in the development of a new body of knowledge. The effect of humanism was to help men break free from the mental strictures imposed by religious orthodoxy, to inspire free inquiry and criticism, and to inspire a new confidence in the possibilities of human thought and creations.” - “Renaissance” Encyclopedia Britannica
Shift from Middle Age Art
In Medieval art, there was a great focus on the significance of animals as opposed to very humanistic views of art in the Renaissance time period ("Animals in Medieval Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art.). Leonardo Da Vinci instead focused on humans and nature as they were, not as symbols, using his knowledge of anatomy, engineering and sculpture. Leonardo Da Vinci is considered the ultimate Renaissance man. He was able to transform and transition from the previous Medieval art focus, as he began to master the futuristic methods and center his work on perspective and depth, portraying humanism and nature ("The Impact of Leonardo da Vinci Paintings" Davincilife). Leonardo will always be remembered for this shift between the two artistic styles.
Shift from Middle Age Art
In Medieval art, there was a great focus on the significance of animals as opposed to very humanistic views of art in the Renaissance time period ("Animals in Medieval Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art.). Leonardo Da Vinci instead focused on humans and nature as they were, not as symbols, using his knowledge of anatomy, engineering and sculpture. Leonardo Da Vinci is considered the ultimate Renaissance man. He was able to transform and transition from the previous Medieval art focus, as he began to master the futuristic methods and center his work on perspective and depth, portraying humanism and nature ("The Impact of Leonardo da Vinci Paintings" Davincilife). Leonardo will always be remembered for this shift between the two artistic styles.
These two paintings continues to reveal the differences between the artistic views of each time period. There's a more religious influence in Medieval art, as well as royalty. Medieval art was less advanced in techniques like perspective, resulting in unrealistic movements, shape, faces or body, and no depth. Medieval artists attempted folding clothes and background layers, but the Renaissance artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci mastered it.