Renaissance Artistry and the Protestant Reformation Era

Renaissance Art: Innovations and Masters

Renaissance Sculpture: Characteristics and Key Artists

Classical reliefs and sculptures were collected and copied. The nude human figure became the most important element in art; classical proportions were based upon it, and even religious images of Christ and the saints were idealized within the norms of the human form.

Important sculptors include:

• In the Quattrocento:
  • Donatello: David and Condottiero Gattamelata
• In the Cinquecento:
  • Michelangelo: David, Moses, Pietà

Renaissance Painting: Techniques and Notable Figures

Artists strove to depict figures in a believable space—an illusion they created by using linear perspective, a Renaissance innovation. The human figure is well-proportioned without any hierarchical sizes.

Important painters include:

• In the Quattrocento:
  • Botticelli: The Birth of Venus
• In the Cinquecento:
  • Leonardo da Vinci: La Gioconda (Mona Lisa)
  • Michelangelo: The Sistine Chapel Ceiling

The Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro)

In Spain, the Siglo de Oro began with artists such as:

• Literature: Garcilaso de la Vega
• Painters: El Greco (e.g., The Burial of Count Orgaz)
• Sculpture: Berruguete (e.g., San Sebastián)
• Architecture: Juan de Herrera (e.g., Monastery of El Escorial)

The Protestant Reformation: Religious Transformation

Causes of the Religious Conflicts

The rediscovery of ancient learning, the printing press, and other forces that came together to create the Renaissance also profoundly affected the Church. In 1500, there was only one dominant faith in Western Europe, namely Catholicism. At the head of the Catholic Church was the Pope, residing in Rome. The Church played a central role in the lives of the vast majority of ordinary people.

In the 1520s, a Catholic monk, Martin Luther, made criticisms of some of the Catholic Church's actions and beliefs. This sparked off huge changes, which led to many parts of Christian Europe rejecting the Catholic Church and setting up their own Protestant churches.

Pre-Reformation Church Issues

If we look at the Church before the Reformation, we might get some clues as to why this happened:

• No one could argue that the Church was not corrupt.
• Some historians argue that abuses happened within the Church.
• The Church became increasingly confident with the sale of indulgences.

Main Tenets of Lutheranism

Key issues and beliefs of Lutheranism include:

• Christians are saved by faith alone (Sola Fide).
• The priesthood of all believers.
• Only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
• Christ's sacrifice happened only once.
• Emphasis on translating the Bible into vernacular languages.
• No heavenly intermediaries (saints or angels are not necessary for salvation).

Characteristics of the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation. Its characteristics include:

• Faith and good works are necessary for salvation.
• The Catholic priesthood is necessary, as only priests can perform the sacraments and correctly interpret the meaning of scripture.
• There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
• The Eucharist is a mystery in which the sacrifice of Christ is re-enacted.
• Scripture and Tradition are the sources through which doctrine is revealed.
• The saints and angels are important in helping Christians achieve salvation.