The Relevance of Renaissance Painting to Contemporary Art Practice
In the past, art has been applied as a way of communicating, and expression of one’s self. There has however been a rise of contemporary art that has grown over time. A good number of artists in the current world have come up with ways that they are able to advance themselves. However there are past arts that still a play a role in the current art world. These arts that were done in the past are known as renaissance paintings. This paper looks to address the relevance that renaissance paintings have on contemporary art. This paper will focus on paintings and arts done by popular artists in the renaissance and modern period. The paper will look at the techniques and styles as well as tools that were used in the past and how they stay relevant in an age that has become much more advanced in terms of technology, photographs and films. It is through this the renaissance paintings will continue to be relevant in the modern age of art.
The renaissance paintings have had a great impact on the trend of advancement of the contemporary society, culture and considering it is a part of an artistic aspect. The renaissance impact in the contemporary nations has led to a new focus on humanism and through this, a major change that is different from the major notions placed by the church. Even though religion did play a role in the renaissance period, the emergence of acknowledgment of human ability and scientific inquiry has modeled the trend of western past and still has an impact on contemporary art (Staachi, 3). The ideologies of realism, mostly as they are seen in terms of art have been significant in the all manner in the current society and people like Boccaccio, da Vinci, among others have stayed to affect the way we do our art.
Prior to renaissance paintings, artists generally relied on other forms of arts in religion. Several details and drawings directed individuals on how they are supposed to live their lives and focused more on Christian heroes. It is through the renaissance that new artists came with influence to new writers that aimed to break this trend and offer a more realistic model of life. A good number of artists that arose from the renaissance period had a great impact on contemporary American society, more in the style that they employed, meaning and political aspect (Modern Art Painting). It is through the creation of a new realism that the common person was able to take full advantage of this ancient art that has gone on to be used in the modern society. Art has the ability to change progressively from the past periods to the modern time. We are able to see the destruction and deconstruction in the shift that we have experienced in the past.
A good example of how the renaissance paintings have contributed to the contemporary art is Leonardo da Vinci, a notable renaissance figure. Leonardo was revolutionary and a thinker and crafted a number of paths that is still common in the current society. Considering he was an artist, Leonardo da Vinci was keen to create realism in a number of ways and the most famous one was the human figure. Apart from just painting the supercilious and splendid religious figures, he went to portray an accurate human spirit (Staachi, 5). The painting of Mona Lisa is still an image that is famous in the modern world though there is an in depth importance to its endurance in the modern world. Leonardo da Vinci was among the first painters to present a realist trend in his work. This renaissance in painting has stayed on and can be acquired in almost all of the arts in the world. Moreover, his work has captured scientificobservation; da Vinci has modeled some of the notable study in human anatomy among other scientific advancement. Da Vinci showed that art and science can be integrated together and with the help of new technologies like video games that present realistic paintings that are managed by physics in a simulated setting.
Painting is hindered by a number of barriers where the art is bound to operate in. A painting has been noted to have features that bring out its limitations; it does not have motion, it is restricted to just two dimensions and is restricted in space, size and flexibility as it is bound by the preference of canvas. It is due to these barriers that contemporary artists and paintings have gone through major changes in how it is done. Looking at the present world in the panting arena, a Damien Hirst, a British artist can shake ‘spin paintings’, in a short time period and then sell it at about $18,000. Considering he placed canvas on his work, Damien popular paintings are a few years apart from paintings done in the past (Hirst, 46).
So as to get the necessary attention that they need, several artists have ignored style and technique for financial accomplishment (Staachi, 23). According to Luc Tuyman, the biggest let down to renaissance painting is the coming to being of photographs. Photography has led painters to be rendered useless in coming up with portraits and geographical features considering photographing was much more precise. He adds that painting is far outdated. As a result several art stands are taking over the spot that was for painting in the contemporary art (“Luc Tuymans”).
The industry however sees it differently that the painting is not relevance to the contemporary art. According to Charles Saatchi, renaissance painting is quite relevant and a major way that artists use to pass information (Staachi, 13). He is aware of the influence that painting has on the audience. Considering the attack on renaissance paintings as a relevant form in the contemporary art, one has to go back to the modern part to know the reason and the manner of relevance that is there. Approximately all of the modern arts have received severe criticism from the public an art lovers due to the shift. Renaissance painting is loved and popular and goes on to play a role in meeting the pleasantness of art lovers.
A good example of the use of contemporary painting with the help of renaissance painting is done by Fiona Rae, an artist in the modern age (Modern Art Painting). She was able to create a painting with a style that was unique. She applied scorching colors and fluid features that were splashed on canvas as an emerging aspect on the image. Even though they do not appear legitimate, keen analysis shows an experienced control of paint and style and close frameworks. Some of her paintings comprised of clipped adverts, music, movies and modern aspects that enabled her art to be quite exciting. She applied graphic design and PCs so as to acquire precise features, hence integrating varied models into one painting.
A most modern artist, Gerhard Richter, has made his career to thrive above his destined level (Modern Art Painting). His ideals are based on refreshing art and innovating painting as a medium as a time when several artists opted for performance and fully finished media. The ideals that are acquired by artists makes it possible for them to create freshly any art, and according to art Richter, painting (Modern Art Painting). He is seen as an artist of deconstruction, since he makes use styles from the past and the modern so as to create a unique art. This is what wet him apart from other artists, they were awkward yet beautiful. As he concentrates on the ordinary, he has the ability to appeal to his viewers globally without separating anyone.
In line with the modern art of Fiona Rae, Oliver Marsden aims to exploit painting through the use of modern tools. Marsden work shows the relevance that renaissance painting has to contemporary art; he connects the two in his work (Modern Art Painting). It is through this that he is able to discover visuals that have not been seen before so as to show artistic expression. Using his paintings to show the texture of his work shows the use of X-ray so as to enable one to see what the eye is not able to see. Marsden has been able to show his audience his skills and the advancement of ideas and ideas as a way of being keen on thought. A good example is focusing on water ripples; he has the ability to come up with unique and appealing aspect for future painting (Modern Art Painting). This happens as the future generations are accorded new ways of articulating their art so as to acquire what they want.
On the other side, Luc Tuymans has come up to be one of the most significant painters of his time. He is acknowledged for painting on the topic ‘again’. He however contrasts from his fellow modern painters in his believe on the art that propelled his career. Even though he harbors this belief of effectiveness of the work, Tuymans is sure of how relevant painting is to his capability to show what his words aims to put across. Painting enables one to be heard without using words. Additionally, he aims to acquire inspiration from mediums that were supposed to replace painting in presentation (“Luc Tuymans”). Tuymans uses contemporary art and changes them to renaissance paintings; he uses photos and alters them to paintings. The best example is his popular collection The Passion. This art was inspired by experiences with photography and connects it with renaissance painting. Additionally, the subject goes back to the basic source of modern art and the path that was used by popular ancient artists that goes on to shadow the young of painting. The paintings according to Luc Tuyman has canvas that are based on a brochure photograph that is acquired from a modern presentation of a Passion play that took place in the 1970s in Germany. The paintings maintained some features of the modern time; photographs. It is through keeping in touch with his vision that he has been able to handle modern issues like children abuse which were ignored by the church, with the help of The Passion and Les Reunants(“Luc Tuymans”).
Renaissance painting has remained relevant to contemporary art with the help from these legendary artists and others that painting has developed in this modern time. Painting done in the renaissance period has come to be integrated in modern art so as to create something that is appealing. However, today some of the artists acquire much of their inspiration from photographs though look to acquire much more through film (Hirst,, 34). It is through this that they are able to safeguard exclusion from the audience that was no ware what took place in the past. The varied methods that were applied by legendary painters like Gerhard Richter are proof that painting is in dire need for innovation when it was disregarded. However, the most significant aspect of painting is the connection with the viewers. This painting comprises of pigments that are applied on the surface of the object; this is done by the painter. On the other hand the role of the viewer is to negotiate with assessment, the illusions that are formed by the surface and less we are sure of the illusions (Haughton, 229). The paintings that connect with the viewer for a long period of time are hence relevant even in the advancement of art.
Additionally, the availability of renaissance paintings, not just as a model of painting in the gallery but as a home decoration, goes on to lengthen its lasting influence on the viewer. Curator Pablo Lafuente states that painting has undergone much vilification in the 90s, however in the last few years it has changed for the better; there is much activity in the museums (Haughton, 230).
With the advent of the middle class around 15th century in Western Europe, art has been considered a special aspect in the market stage. Julian Stallabross, an art historian, agrees that renaissance painting is quite appropriate, as opposed to sculptures and other mediums, painting can be well moved and maintained and smooth to retail and dispense. The only issue could be the size of canvas that the artists opt so as to create (Haughton, 231).
With the start of critical and creative human idea, the arts have gone on to rebuild themselves so as to appeal to the audience and creator. And so long as the viewer sees the art, there will constantly be eager painters that aim to pass their ideas out to them. In the period of renaissance, there has been changes in culture, censorship and development of technology, however art and art has been able to get its way to people. However, the art of painting is one that process and outcome that cannot be done away with. The most notable features of painting that makes it different from all other modes of painting is ‘the brush stroke’ (Haughton, 232). Even though painting is restricted in its flat aspect, it quality and penetration acquired using several layers of paint that is made on the canvas that can never be acquired in the contemporary art. Additionally, the renaissance styles that arise from the painter’s tools that have kept the painting alive that long are specially and keenly connected to the artist’s attributes and the canvas.
So long painting can go on to educate, and entertain it will always be relevant as a contemporary art. Several strategies have been applied in the past so as to keep renaissance painting valid and vital in light of the 3D innovations and sculptures. It is encouraging to have a painter present in the 2011 awards ceremonies who used Humbrol enamel paint so as to give texture; George Shaw (Hirst, 73). It is through the emerging styles and trends being applied in the painting that has kept it more appealing to the modern viewers.
Contemporary art has been able to use several ways of expressing themselves with focus on renaissance painting, with focus on realistic representations of art that were used by past art legends. By stating this, there are a number advanced paintings that copy the digital painting as stated earlier and may at times be noted to apply more (Hirst, 75). Alyssa Monks is one such painting that has incorporated both renaissance techniques and modern form of painting. Alyssa Monkspainting is comprised of steam and water that has been used to come up with a portrait. Monks has used wide range of skills so as to appeal to her audience and more so the more advanced modern art critics.
Another artist who has incorporated both the renaissance style and skills with the modern art is, Peter Halley. Halley’s work is seen to have changed from what it was in the past twenty years to develop to a gradual concept and more natural advancement (Staachi, 34). What he had used initially as basic painting in the 80s has steadily developed to the new period. It has motivated the current complex times and a replica of the innovative world in an appealing manner (Haughton, 234). He images that formed may range from hills to buildings, but the most captivating aspect was the brilliant use of color and shape. His integration of the renaissance painting aspects has been used with modern aspects so as to create an art that is more appealing and in line with the current times while still maintaining the past (Haughton, 235).
Expressionism was the more notable shift that the contemporary art had to come up with in the start of the twentieth century so as to escape the criticism of the classicism and be able to connect with the true aspect of art (Modern Art Painting). In the prior period of the twentieth century, expression combined several art forms, for instance movies and modern music. The start of expressionism is that the appealing desire arises from internally and is in a number of ways innate and natural, though affected by the setting. Basically it can be seen as the connection of two life stages, the material and intangible and its connection creates a sense of appeal that is lasting (Modern Art Painting). This is since all or most of the artists aim to create something with their own set of attributes so as to specially show the historical ideas. It is definite that renaissance painting will go on to be significant to the contemporary life stage considering that role it plays in creativity.
Conclusion
The main objective of art is to put forth an expression that can lead to the release of several emotions and ideas. A picture, be it painted or photographed, is not the actual thing; it may vary and may just rely on the objective and effectiveness of the creator. However it holds that an excellent image can speak more hence states the function of art and hence it is through this that art is relevant. Even though paintings has the ability to show what the human mind aims to acquire and present to others what the eyes aims to see, the arts gradually advance to a future that is complete with forms and colors.
This paper has been able to come up with varied ways that renaissance painting has stayed to be relevant in the contemporary art. With the art scene going on to advance and incorporating several technological advancements like photographs, painting seems to have not lost its touch. Several painters in the modern life, twentieth and twenty first century have gone on to employ styles were common in the renaissance stage. This has made the arts used to day to become more appealing and maintain its texture and feel of nature. The audience has similarly expressed their interest of this new composition hence showing that renaissance painting is still alive. The paper has been able to enlist the backing of several artists who have created popular paintings like The Monalisa, a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. This and many more goes to state the relevance that paintings and techniques used in the past is still relevant in the present life and hopefully in the future.
Work Cited
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Haughton, Neil. What is Beauty? Perceptions of beauty in Renaissance art. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004, 3, 229–233.
Hirst, Damien. “Life After the Shark.” Lecture, University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, Camrose, AB, March 31, 2007.
“Luc Tuymans”. Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburg, 2013. Accessed on 13th July 2013 from: <http://www.wako-art.jp/artists/luc_tuymans/biography/>
Staachi, C. My name is Charles Saatchi and I am an artoholic: everything you need to know about art, ads, life, God and other mysteries, and weren’t afraid to ask–. New York: Phaidon, 2009.
