Renaissance art and architecture

The Renaissance was not just a period of scientific development. It also witnessed a veritable artistic revolution and an impressive explosion in the number of works created during the period.

Art evolved considerably during the Renaissance. New techniques were developed by artists, allowing this period to set itself apart artistically.

Most of the works created by Renaissance artists can be described as realistic. Indeed, painters, among other things, were concerned to present their subjects as realistically as possible. They try to respect the proportions, symmetry and harmony of forms, compared to the works of the Middle Ages, which often lacked this same respect.

This new method, discovered by artists of the time, enabled them to represent the view of three-dimensional objects on a flat surface. In other words, thanks to the technique of perspective, painters can illustrate depth and distance on their canvas using a vanishing point that orients the viewer's eye.

The Middle Ages were characterized by a strong preponderance of religious works. During the Renaissance, although a few new religious works were created, it was mainly secular (non-religious) subjects that were chosen by artists. More specifically, artists took human beings as their source of inspiration. This can be seen, for example, in the large number of portraits painted during this period.

Architecture was another field that underwent significant changes during the Renaissance. It, too, was inspired by Antiquity, with an emphasis on aesthetics, symmetry and proportion. Domes, pediments and columns are architectural elements taken from Antiquity. The architectural style of the Renaissance was the complete opposite of the Gothic style of the Middle Ages, the latter even being considered monstrous by humanist artists.