Classical, Medieval &
Renaissance Art
Classical Art
• The classical period covered the height of the Greek
culture and the Roman Empire, from its rise in 500
B.C. to A.D. 500. The people of these ancient
societies developed many of the ideas that, today,
make up our mathematics, science, literature, and art.
Forms of Art
The Purpose:
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to show the importance of
people and leaders, as
well as the gods and
goddesses.
Sculpture
Painted Pottery
Murals
Mosaics
Classical Statue of Venus Bathing
Figures look
idealized, perfect
(Obviously for the
time period)
Bodies look active,
move convincingly
(Notice how it
seems she has just
twisted)
Bodies are often
nude, sometimes
draped in togas (You
probably noticed)
Faces are bland
and calm, without
emotion
Scenes show heroic
figures or real people
doing real tasks of
daily life (Bathing in
this case)
Little background or
sense of perspective
(Not so noticeable in a
statue since you don’t
usually have
backgrounds)
Grave Stele of Hegeso 400 B.C.
Figures look
idealized, perfect
(Obviously for the
time period)
Bodies look active,
move convincingly
(Notice how their
weight sits on them
realistically) (For
instance she is
leaning more on one
foot.)
Bodies are often
nude, sometimes
draped in togas
Faces are bland
and calm, without
emotion
Scenes show heroic
figures or real people
doing real tasks of
daily life (Having a
conversation)
•Little background or
sense of perspective
(Nothing other than the
arch)
Medieval Period
The Medieval Period in Europe, which lasted
roughly from A.D. 500 to A.D. 1400, was
characterized by the rise of feudalism and the
controlling power of the Catholic Church in
people’s lives.
Forms of Art:
Sculptures
Paintings
Tapestries
Stained glass windows
Illuminated manuscripts
Purposes:
To teach religion to
people who cannot read or
write.
Cimabue’s Madonna and Child in
Majesty A.D. 1280
Subjects mostly religious
Figures look flat and stiff
with little real movement
Important figures are
largest
Fully clothed, draped in
deeply carved, stiff
looking clothes
Faces are solemn with
little emotion
Paintings use vibrant
colors
Flat, two-dimensional
painted figures
Backgrounds a single
color, often gold, no
interest in creating a
realistic space
The Bayeux Tapestry A.D. 1082
Subjects mostly
religious
Faces are solemn
with little emotion
Figures look flat
and stiff with little
real movement
Paintings use
vibrant colors
Important figures
are large
Fully clothed,
draped in deeply
carved, stiff
looking clothes
Flat, twodimensional
painted figures
Backgrounds a
single color, often
gold, no interest in
creating a realistic
space
Renaissance
The Renaissance included a rebirth of interest in
Classical culture. It began around 1400 and lasted until
1650. People rediscovered the writings and artworks of
the Greeks and Romans, borrowed their ancient ideas,
and combining them in new ways.
Forms of Art:
Sculpture
Murals
Drawings
Paintings
Architecture
Purposes:
To show the
importance of people and
nature, not just religion.
Titian’s Venus and Adonis A.D.
1550
Bodies may
Both religious and
nonreligious scenes
look active,
moving
Figures look
idealized, perfect
(Ideal for the time)
Colors respond
to light that falls
on them
Bodies may be
nude or clothed
Interest in
nature, lots of
natural detail
Real people doing
real tasks of daily
life
Full, deep
backgrounds
with perspective
Faces express
what people are
thinking
Notice the similarities to Classical Art
Paintings are
symmetrical
(balanced on
both sides)
Filippo Lippi’s Madonna and Child
with Angels A.D. 1406
Both religious and
nonreligious scenes
Bodies may look
active, moving
Figures look
idealized, perfect
Colors respond to
light that falls on
them
Bodies may be
nude or clothed
Real people doing
real tasks of daily
life
Faces express
what people are
thinking
Interest in nature,
lots of natural detail
Full, deep
backgrounds with
perspective
Paintings are
symmetrical
(balanced on both
sides)
Michelangelo’s Pieta A.D. 1475
Both religious and
nonreligious scenes
Figures look
idealized, perfect
(Mary young for the
mother of a 33 year
old.)
Bodies may be
nude or clothed
(Both in this case)
Real people doing
real tasks of daily
life (Holding the
body of her dead
son)
Bodies may look
active, moving
Interest in nature,
lots of natural detail
Simple triangular
structure yet there
are many other
angles and lines
within it.
Faces express what
people are thinking
(Mary’s expression is
equal to the Mona
The Classical Art form lifted to new heights.
Lisa) (is it prayer or
Notice just how real this statue looks. The
sorrow?)
fabric is a different texture than her skin.
Characteristics of Classical Art
• Figures look idealized, perfect
• Bodies look active, move convincingly
• Bodies are often nude, sometimes draped in
togas
• Faces are bland and calm, without emotion
• Scenes show heroic figures or real people doing
real tasks of daily life
• Little background or sense of perspective (when
distant objects look smaller and far away.)
Characteristics of Medieval Art
• Subjects mostly religious
• Figures look flat and stiff with little real
movement
• Important figures are large
• Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff
looking clothes
• Faces are solemn with little emotion
• Paintings use vibrant colors
• Flat, two-dimensional painted figures
• Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no
interest in creating a realistic space
Characteristics of Renaissance Art:
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Both religious and nonreligious scenes
Figures look idealized, perfect
Bodies may look active, moving
Bodies may be nude or clothed
Real people doing real tasks of daily life
Faces express what people are thinking
Colors respond to light that falls on them
Interest in nature, lots of natural detail
Full, deep backgrounds with perspective
Paintings are symmetrical (balanced on both
sides)