Sacred Art of the Renaissance

Written By: Amayah Meas

From the 14th to the 17th century, a rebirth of classical philosophies, literature, and art became the center of European society. Patronage was a highly regarded practice and directly related to the strong devotion to religious matters, the subject of much of the art during the period known as the Renaissance. Expression of religious beliefs in art allowed one to strongly connect to Christ and was used for many sacred practices on a day-to-day basis. Sacred art is left open for interpretation but serves multiple purposes with one main goal of showing the societal focus on religion.

Many churches have what is known as an altarpiece, a sacred artwork presenting religious figures meant for placing behind the altar. Altarpieces during the Renaissance served as a good reminder for why people should devote to religion whilst they attended sacred matters. The Altarpiece with Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. Margaret carved by Andrea da Giona is a relief sculpture; the smooth figures are engraved to reveal themselves as if they were popping out of the background. Although its three sections make it appear like a triptych, its marble panels do not fold closed. Nonetheless, it still serves as an important sacred artwork displaying the figure of Christ with musical angels surrounding Him in the center. St. John the Baptist and St. Margaret are featured on either side and felt deeply associated with the commissioners (Knights of Rhodes) of the artwork, one might say consequently making it a donor portrait.

Altarpiece with Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. Margaret

Andrea da Giona

1434

Marble sculpture

Early Italian Renaissance

Alongside painting, manuscript illumination prospered during the Renaissance with the escalation in sacred literature. Illuminated manuscripts are books with religious purposes that go through a long, meticulous process of production from the scribe, to illustrators, to decorators. The Book of Hours created by Simon Bening was meant to serve as one of the most, if not the most, prized possessions of its owner. Intended to be used consistently throughout the day, its close proximity and major presence in one’s daily life reminded them of God’s universal influence in them and society all around. As with many other sacred manuscripts, the exceptional miniature detail of the pages (especially because printing presses were not present for this method at the time) shows the lengths artists went to in order to deliver a compelling message.

Book of Hours

Simon Bening

c. 1530 – 1535

Tempera, gold, & ink on parchment

Netherlands Renaissance

The walls and ceilings of grand religious buildings served as templates for sacred frescos, made with a combination of wet plaster and paint. Michelangelo was a sculptor (an overall talented artist in multiple media nonetheless) who painted the vast majority of the interior of the Sistine Chapel. Following his work of the chapel ceiling, he was commissioned again twenty-four years later by Pope Clement VII to complete the walls, leading to the creation of The Last Judgement. In this painting, the dead are hauled from their graves and plunged into hell, neatly separated from those who are saved and ascend into heaven, all seeming to swarm around Jesus in a vortex. Its sacred subject matter served as a harsh reminder to follow in the footsteps of Christ, lest one’s reality be damned in hell. This fresco contains a scrap of humor as well; St. Bartholomew can be found at the foot of Jesus sitting on a cloud and holding his own flayed skin, reported to contain some of Michelangelo’s own distorted features.

The Last Judgement

Michelangelo

1535 – 1541

Fresco

Italian Renaissance

Sacred art was so prominent in Renaissance culture and was represented in the form of multiple media. As art patronage was a highly regarded factor of society, artists delivered sacred messages in exquisite form to keep religion another top priority for the people. Although its level of influence appears to be stagnant throughout art historical periods, an underlying sacred factor appears to be the base of numerous artworks consistently throughout the Renaissance.

References

Altarpiece with Christ, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Margaret. Metmuseum.org. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/471909.

Book of Hours. Metmuseum.org. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/684184.

Italian Renaissance Art - Fresco Painting. Italian renaissance art - fresco painting. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/italian- renaissance/italian-renaissance-art-fresco-painting.html.

Manuscript Illumination in Italy, 1400–1600. Metmuseum.org. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/iman/hd_iman.htm.

Marilyn, S. (2011). Art history: Fourteenth to Seventeenth Century art. Prentice Hall.