The Renaissance & Baroque Arts The Renaissance, also known as the period of “rebirth”, directly followed the Middle Ages. Some considered the Renaissance period as a bridge from the “Dark Ages” to the modern era or the “light”. This period in history lasted about four centuries—late 13th century to the early 17th century— featuring “a revival of classical art, literature, philosophy, architecture, and learning” and introduced some of “the finest artists and intellectual achievements in the history of the Western humanities” such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo Buonarroti (MindEdge, 2013). Renaissance art is traced back to Italy where artists and scholars looked to the ancient Greco-Roman culture for inspiration by reviving the language, values, and traditions that were lost after “the fall of the Roman Empire in the sixth century” (A&E Television Networks, LLC, 2013). Furthermore, Renaissance artists added individuality to their works through portraying “beauty and mystery of the natural world” (A&E Television Networks, LLC, 2013). Most of the art produced during this time showcased religious imagery, completed mostly as Catholic Mass altarpieces. Artists around these times were sponsored by patrons of the arts such as The Catholic Church and affluent families such as the Medici family in Florence. Political permanence, growing wealth, and technological advancements are some of the social conditions that may have contributed to the arts of the Renaissance era. Renaissance art can be characterized by the artists’ use of expressive gestures, linear and aerial perspective, trompe l’oeil, and chiaroscuro by placing the subjects in various landscapes, scenes of daily life, and historical events. The posture and gesture of the subjects are “part of a complex formal arrangement” creating a balance within the scene (Study Art History, 2011). Later, oil painting on canvas was developed, which allowed artist to modify the image. The Baroque period, the 17th century to the early 18th century, was “known for its religious focus and its elaborate and extensive ornamentation” (MindEdge, 2013). This era was influenced by religion during the Counter-Reformation in which Baroque artists highlighted their works by portraying Christian subjects in emotional and dramatic scenes. Like the Renaissance period, the Baroque period also produced some of the finest artists such as Gianlorenzo Bernini, Michelangelo de Caravaggio, and Rembrandt van Rijn. Distinctive artistic characteristics in visual arts, painting, sculpture, and architecture marked the style of this era:
• Visual arts portrayed harmony and unity by focusing on religious themes and Biblical stories.
• Paintings were created with great realistic physical details, vast landscapes, and drama by using rich, deep colors, and contrasting between light and shadow.
• Sculptures were fashioned with so much individual emotion that it appeared natural and life-like.
• Architecture masterpieces were made on a grand, dramatic scale which meant to “express human longing for spirituality” (MindEdge, 2013)
In the latter part of the Baroque period, the Rococo Style was introduced. Rococo, meaning “rock work” was “lighter and more playful” using “ornate decorations, pastel colors, and asymmetrical arrangement of shell-like curves” (MindEdge, 2013). This late Baroque style was commissioned by aristocratic patrons. Both periods turned out famous artist and priceless works of art and reflected the characteristics of their time. Both used light and shadow in their artwork creating beautiful masterpieces. Renaissance art portrayed order, rationalism, symmetry, and nature while Baroque art emphasized on ornate, emotional, drama, and asymmetric. Renaissance art also focused on realistic instances of human anatomy and the beauty of nature, depicting scenes of the moment before the dramatic part whereas Baroque art was very dramatic, depicting scenes of the moment during the most dramatic part. An example of Renaissance art is David (1504), a sculpture created by Michelangelo Buonarroti. This sculpture was inspired by a story that portrayed a young shepherd boy who volunteered to fight a giant named Goliath in order to save his people from attack. Michelangelo captured the moment of David right before the battle—the moment when David makes the choice and is bond to act on that choice. David stands in the nude and poised with one leg holding most of his weigh while the other leg is relaxed. His body and facial features showcases his readiness for battle—tendons in his neck are taut, furrowed brow, pursed lips, slightly flared nose. He also appears to be looking over his left shoulder for Goliath while holding his sling that also falls across his back. The sculpture embraces “man at his best—vigorously healthy, beautiful, rational, competent” (Sanstead, 2004). An example of Baroque art is called David (1623) as well. This David is a life-sized sculpture created by Gianlorenzo Bernini. Bernini decided to capture David in the moment before he slings the stone at Goliath, striking Goliath in the forehead, killing him. This sculpture of David is partially nude—the rest of his armor lay at his feet. His body is contorted in a way preparing him to release the rock and his aggression from the slingshot that will kill Goliath. His body and face is determined and angry—tensed muscles, frowning, biting his lower lip—as he has now made his choice to kill the giant. Bernini’s David relates to Michelangelo’s David by portraying the same individual in the same Biblical story. Both sculpted David as a youthful, beautiful, and healthy, physically fit man making him appear realistic to the viewer. Although, both sculpted David in different moments before his victory, both stayed true to their respective periods. Prominent artists created their masterpieces by employing emotional and dramatic art as a means of spreading religion through their paintings, music, architecture, and sculpture. Realism and individualism was also portrayed in their works. The Baroque style of art left behind a vast amount to art history which can be seen across the globe adorning ceilings, walls and altars of cathedrals throughout Europe and Latin America. To the world, the Baroque style of art—use of chiaroscuro, grand scale, ornamentation, emotion, and drama—introduced not only the finest artists ever known, but left a legacy of different art forms and techniques in its wake for future artists.

Sources
A&E Television Networks, LLC. (2013). Renaissance art. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/renaissance-art
MindEdge. (2013). Literature, arts, and the humanities. Retrieved from http://wgu.mindonline.com
Sandstead, L. (2004, Sept 04). The meaning of michelangelo's david. Retrieved from http://www.sandstead.com/essays/david.html
Study Art History. (2011, May 09). Characteristics of renaissance art. Retrieved from http://www.studyarthistory.com/characteristics-of-renaissance-art-251.php
Various Authors. (2013). The baroque era in the arts. Retrieved from http://history-world.org/baroque_era.htm