Religious Art

Vasari and the Renaissance artists cared most about portraying the artwork of God. As Vasari relates sculpture to how God created man: “He fashioned the first forms of painting and sculpture in the sublime grace of created things. It is undeniable that from man, as a perfect model, statues and piece of sculpture and the challenges of pose and contour were first derived; and for the first paintings whatever they many have been, the ideas of softness and of unity and the clashing harmony made by light and shadow were derived from the same source.” As artists devoted to their faith, they wanted to be as “perfect” as God was in his creation. Just as He did, sculptures will take away and add clay to their piece until it is suitable to their tastes. Painters consider color. Sculptures consider movement. Painters and sculptures alike consider form, movement, facial expressions, and if the theme of their work is being expressed. “By adding and taking away, they bring their rough models and sketches to the final perfection for which they are striving.” Not only do they try to follow God’s example, for Vasari considers God the first artist, but they also try to create a realistic view of the Bible or religious history. As can be seen in the slideshow of Renaissance art, all of the pieces are of something meaningful to their culture and to their religion, which went hand in hand during this time period. They wanted to bring to life what was most important to them: their religion.