Humanisms Effect on Renaissance Art

Humanism is any belief, method, or philosophy that has a central emphasis on the human realm. It is this belief that helped influence and direct much of the artistic works done throughout the renaissance. Through this humanist philosophy that stressed the dignity of humanity, humanistic values emphasized on logic and human studies. This influence is shown through many different works of art by emphasizing on human achievement, human anatomy, and human history.

            You can see how humanism clearly effected renaissance art when looking at pieces such as Antonio del Pollaiuolo’s “Battle of the Nudes.” This engraving represents a very clear study of classical sculpture, which shows the appreciation for human history. Not only that, but the engraving shows very good observation of anatomical research. This engraving shows the human male in a very realistic way with the engraving showing a very good depiction of muscles of the male body reacting under tension. Through well represented human anatomy and study of classical sculpture, Antonio del Pollaiulo’s work shows how humanistic values influenced his engraving.

            Humanism, of course, didn’t only effect engravings, it effected painting as well. Humanism can be seen very clearly in the painting “The Delivery of the Keys to St. Peter.” This painting exemplifies the humanistic approach to perfection by using the linear perspective. Through this perspective it helps make the background fall realistically into a single vanishing point. Not only that, but the painter, Perugino, painted a self-portrait of himself into the painting, further showing humanistic values of celebrating his own personal achievement. By trying to achieve perfection through the linear perspective and through putting himself into his own painting, Perugino has shown humanistic values through his artwork.

            Humanistic values also affected sculpture. As seen with Michelangelo’s “David”, this sculpture clearly represents humanistic values through his idealistic portrayal. David’s human body is very realistically sculpted. He has a very strong and toned body that has been sculpted in a very idealistic way. It is through this idealistic approach to the sculpture that Michelangelo portrays a sense of humanism. It is through this perfect portrayal of David that he is celebrating the human body and is striving for perfection. The fact that David is shown in the nude also helps add to the fact that Michelangelo is glorifying and celebrating the human body in its entirety. It is through this idealistic and nude portrayal of David that humanistic values are shown in a “High” renaissance art piece.

            Overall humanism affected much of art through the renaissance. This is exemplified through the focus on human anatomy (such as Antonio del Pollaiuolo’s “The Battle of the Nudes”) and through human achievement (Perugino putting his own portrait in “The Delivery of the Keys to St. Peter” to help show that he had achieved such amazing painting). It is this all-encompassing focus on humans and their achievements that has been one of the main influences on many pieces of renaissance art.