Art history from 1580-1980 - Essay Example

Art history from 1580-1980 The renaissance era marks the most important period in art. One of the common characteristics of art during this period was the strong connection between art and nature. Many artists incorporated nature in their work. They did this by copying things in their natural surroundings in their paintings. The naturalism artists’ aim was to make their paintings look real (Rothko & Rothko 45). Naturalism in the art included the use of linear or atmospheric angles and expressive signs.

An example of a painting that was created using naturalism idea included the “Death of Marat” by Jacques-Louis David. This was 1793 painting of nude man with an appearance a real classical young man. Other paintings before 1800 that show naturalism are Francisco Goya’s paintings named “And so Was His Grandfather” and “You who cannot”. Artists highly engaged with the nature from 1580-1980. They did this by spending their time to study nature. They started shifting from religious and supernatural paintings to nature paintings.

They engaged with nature in their art by portraying objects in their arts as they appear exactly in reality. This was done based on the artists’ scientific knowledge. There was a strong connection between science and art. Examples of paintings that depict nature include John constable’s “The Hay Wain” and Joseph Mallord’s “Snowstorm: Hannibal and Army” (Rothko & Rothko 65). Other nature paintings include Theodore Gericault’s “The Raft of Medusa” and William Blake’s “Dante Running from The Three Beasts”.

All these were painted after 1800. Nature was depicted in the renaissance arts in various forms. For instance, it was presented in paintings, sculptures and music during that period. Naturalism was significant to many artists and movements. For instance, it was significant to humanisms movement. During the renaissance period the society had started to focus more on human values than religious values. As such, artists painted humans in the natural world to show their position on earth. Nature was also significant to naturalism movement where artists were recognized based on how well their represented nature in their paintings.

Nature became a source idea for many artists. They got their ideas by simply studying or observing it (Rothko & Rothko 65).Work citedRothko, Mark, and Christopher Rothko. The Artists Reality: Philosophies of Art. New Haven, Conn: Yale University Press, 2004. Print.