Hidden meanings behind Renaissance Art

 

Medieval and Renaissance paintings are considered to be the most beautiful works of art to ever exist, from seamless depictions of love and desperation to executions and hopelessness alive within the narrow picture frames in every national museum.

Historians and art researchers have found that, beneath the surface, renaissance paintings are more than the artists' emotions, as well as artwork confined in the shackles of societal pressure. Researchers discovered the symbolic meanings of paintings and the hidden language artists use to get messages across, that otherwise wouldn't be acceptable.

1.

The Ghost Pianist

 

 The first image is of a woman casting a white glow over her suroundings, playing the piano in a dark room. Going by the man's expression and the diaphanous fabric in her dress the woman is dead and possibly the artist's wife; the man illustrated is the artist due to the papers on his desk. Furthermore, we can see a lit lamp in the corner of the room, which signifies wisdom and purity, we can also see the overall untidiness of the room that is symbolic to the loss the artist suffered after this woman's death.

 

 2.

Unfair Marriage

 

 This painting illustrates an old man and a young woman's marriage and is considered to be one of the most detailed paintings in terms of symbolism. Firstly one might notice the bearded man in the corner who is actually the painter and was in love with the bride himself and is not looking at her, but the man about to marry her. Then, far in the back we notice two old women with dead flowers in their hair, they are the man's dead wives which highlights how old he is. After that, when we take a look at the bride, we firstly notice the flowers braided in her hair which are a symbol for her youth and that her eyes are red, an indication that she has been crying.

We can also notice a red haired man who is the artist's friend, based on his expression, he is showing concern and sympathy to his friend. Overall all the people standing at the bride's side are sad for her while the people at the groom's side are older and happier, that goes to show the difference between their individual points of view.

3.

The Hesitant Fiancee

 The hesitant fiancee is the type of artwork to make you feel, not just see, aside from the admirable depiction of rage in the bride's face, due to the arranged marrriage she was forced into, in the renaissance French Society. If we look into this painting further, hundreds of stories unfold; Firstly, we notice the young girl in the corner, posing in front of the mirror with the bride's headdress, fantasizing about her own wedding day, oblivious to her sister's pain, or the expectations of her time, however we don't see her reflection in the mirror, so that means she is dead. After that we can see another woman in a crimson dress, who seems to be the only person recognizing the bride's pain, when everyone else only cares for themselves, the mother wants a good reputation and the little girl a fair chance at life.

 Sources;

• Reddit; r/Art history 
• Pinterest
• Wikipedia

 

Short Dictionary

• Academia: The system of education and scholarly institutions that flourished during the Renaissance, particularly in Italy.
• Alberti, Leon Battista: An Italian architect, artist, and writer known for his contributions to Renaissance theory, especially in architecture and humanist thought.
• Anatomy: The study of the structure of the human body, which was revived during the Renaissance as part of a greater interest in science and realism in art.
• Baroque: A period that followed the Renaissance, characterized by dramatic, ornate art and architecture, though it had some influences from Renaissance ideas.
• Bronze: A common medium in Renaissance sculpture, as artists like Donatello and others used it to create lifelike sculptures.
• Chiaroscuro: The technique of using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and three-dimensionality in painting.
• Classical: Referring to the art, culture, and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome, which was revived and emulated during the Renaissance.
• Convivio: A term used to describe intellectual gatherings or discussions that were an important part of the Renaissance’s humanist culture.
• Dante Alighieri: An Italian poet and philosopher best known for his epic poem "Divine Comedy," which had a significant influence on Renaissance literature.
• Engraving: A technique of printing images by carving into metal or wood, which became prominent during the Renaissance for producing detailed works of art.
• Erasmus, Desiderius: A Dutch humanist scholar and priest whose works, including "In Praise of Folly," criticized societal issues and were highly influential during the Renaissance.
• Fresco: A technique of mural painting applied to wet plaster, widely used by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.
• Florence: The city-state in Italy that was the heart of the Italian Renaissance, home to artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo.
• Humanism: A Renaissance intellectual movement that emphasized the study of classical texts, human experience, and the dignity of individuals.

• Individualism: The Renaissance belief in the importance of the individual and the development of personal talent, creativity, and expression.
• Italian Renaissance: The period of the Renaissance that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread to the rest of Europe, marked by an explosion of artistic, scientific, and intellectual activity.
• Leonardo da Vinci: One of the most influential Renaissance polymaths, known for his masterpieces such as the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper."
• Linear Perspective: A mathematical system used by Renaissance artists to create the illusion of depth and volume in two-dimensional art.
• Lorenzo de’ Medici: A wealthy and influential patron of the arts in Florence who played a significant role in supporting Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo and Leonardo.

• Mannerism: An artistic style that emerged after the High Renaissance, characterized by exaggerated forms and elongated figures, often seen as a reaction to classical balance and harmony.
• Michelangelo Buonarroti: An iconic Renaissance artist known for his sculptures such as "David" and his frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
• Patronage: The financial and social support provided by wealthy individuals, families, or institutions that allowed Renaissance artists to create their works.
• Perspective: The technique used in Renaissance art to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface, revolutionized by artists like Brunelleschi and Alberti.
• Petrarch, Francesco: An Italian scholar and poet often considered the "father of Humanism," whose works helped to spark the intellectual movement of the Renaissance.

• Quattrocento: The 15th century, or "the 1400s," when the early Renaissance blossomed in Italy.
• Renaissance Man: A person who is skilled in a wide range of areas, exemplified by figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, who mastered multiple disciplines including art, science, and engineering.
• Reformation: A religious movement that began in the early 16th century, partially as a reaction against the authority of the Catholic Church during the Renaissance.
• Rhetoric: The art of persuasive speaking and writing, revived by Renaissance scholars and a key part of humanist education.
• Sfumato: A painting technique developed by Leonardo da Vinci, where colors and tones are blended without sharp outlines, creating a smoky or hazy effect.
• Sistine Chapel: A chapel in the Vatican, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and "The Last Judgment" painting, one of the defining masterpieces of the Renaissance.
• Tuscany: A region in Italy that was at the center of Renaissance art and culture, home to Florence and many prominent artists and thinkers.

• Utopia: A term coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 work, "Utopia," describing an ideal society, often discussed in the context of Renaissance humanism.
• Vasari, Giorgio: An Italian painter, architect, and historian, known for his biographical work "Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects," which helped define the canon of Renaissance art.
• Vatican: The center of the Catholic Church, which became a key patron of Renaissance art, commissioning works from artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.
• Vitruvian Man: A famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci that illustrates the proportions of the human body, based on the writings of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.