Difference between two time periods - Research Paper Example

Characteristics of Creativity in Medieval and Renaissance Art Creativity has different manifestations during the Medieval and Renaissance art. Specifically, medieval artists showcase their creativity through artworks that demonstrate spiritual significance. In contrast, Renaissance artists demonstrate their creativity by integrating external phenomenon with their emotional interpretations in such a way that most of their works are characterized with personal expression of what is beautiful. Relatively, this paper explores the idea that renaissance artistic expressions, which had emotional roots, deviate from the artistic tradition of medieval tradition of creativity as having spiritual significance.

Medieval Art Medieval art emerges as an artistic and social trend during the fourth to the fifth century A.D., particularly in Europe where religion influenced most of the society’s activities (Harris, 2006, pp. 194-95). As religion influences art during those times, the people’s and artist’s perception concerning their sense of place and identity relates to the notions of good and evil, God and Satan and heaven and hell. Relatively, the most significant characteristics of medieval art are its explicit representation of religious beliefs, symbols, and traditions.

For instance, Sekules (2001) mentioned that portrayals of good and bad correspond to the placement of souls, either in heaven, or hell (p. 7-8). In Medieval times, it is also commonplace that art is used for preaching religious beliefs. For instance, Giotto’s The Kiss of Judas illustrates one of the significant events of the Christian world due to its depiction of a Christian belief. With this work, Giotto explores and presents the emotional and spiritual context of Judas’ act, the consequences of which are considered as having highly religious effects (King, 2003, p. 53). Renaissance Art The Renaissance period embodies humanity’s quest toward beauty.

It also depicts emotional and physical independence, realism, and innovative manipulation of the elements of design, regardless of social and religious standards (Fichner-Rathus, 2011, p. 76). Renaissance art takes the form as a social and artistic transformation in Italy during the second half of the fourteenth century when scholars start to become skeptical about strict religious standards and begin to take particular concern on the nature of human existence (Johnson, 2005, p. 4). During this period, artists create artistic innovation, such as the portrayal of different aspects of life without necessarily preaching about good and evil.

For instance, Michelangelo’s David demonstrates a realistic presentation of beauty although his subject is a biblical figure. As if deviating from the religious standards of the medieval traditions, David embodies the physical and psychological transitions of the Renaissance artist. The Relationship between Medieval and Renaissance Art In the context of creativity, it can be inferred that the creativity during the Medieval and Renaissance art is viewed in completely different perspectives. Specifically, expressing creativity in the Medieval times largely depends on the originality of artworks, even with highly religious standards while in the Renaissance period, it largely depends on the artist’s capacity to innovate and make use of existing materials to create breakthrough artworks.

For instance, in The Kiss of Judas, Giotto depicts his interpretation of the said event, particularly in relation to the Christian world; Giotto also created his work so as to express a new context, meaning, and significance of the said event. As for David, Michelangelo demonstrates his proficiency in manipulating artistic elements so as to design his subject in the most elaborate, realistic, and aesthetic way. Consequently, the underlying difference between Medieval and Renaissance art, particularly between The Kiss of Judas and David, is the intention of the artists, where Giotto intends to preach through presenting a biblical scenario while Michelangelo intends to depict his conception of beauty through a biblical character.

Considering the socio-cultural transformations that go along with art history periods, it is likely that medieval art gave birth to the artistic innovations that define Renaissance art. Relatively, the most significant contribution of Renaissance artists is the introduction of a new way of artistic expression, which relates to realism and humanism. This is evident in the way Renaissance artist depicts images that directly relate to the realities of human life. For instance, the social restrictions and deep religious roots of art in the medieval times lead artists to break away from conventional religious ideas and strive for originality that is deviant from the standards of the previous art period.

These transformations reflect Renaissance art in a way that the said period is characterized with realistic images of the environment and human existence instead of the metaphysical and symbolistic images during the medieval times. Analyzing the differences and interplay between the Medieval and Renaissance art, which are adjacent periods in art history, leads to an understanding of the role of the society and cultural traditions in art. Thorough understanding of the context of artworks also helps in deriving the social significance of those artworks, and how those affect the perceptions of the society.

Specifically, it can be inferred that philosophical discoveries spur artistic innovations, particularly in creating new avenues of artistic expressions. This also reflects the notion and value of creativity as a means to express art, considering that artists of the two art periods have different ways in expressing their creativity. References Fichner-Rathus, L. (2011). Foundations of art and design. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Harris, J. P. (2006). Art history: The key concepts. Oxford, UK: Routledge.

Johnson, G. A. (2005). Renaissance art: A very short introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. King, M. L. (2003). The Renaissance in Europe. London, UK: Laurence King Publishing. Sekules, V. (2001). Medieval art. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.