How Did The Church Influence Renaissance Art

Beginning in the early 14th century, the Renaissance period gave way to the birth of humanism which encouraged individual expression and creativity. People had become weary after a prolonged period of plague, corruption and war that followed the fall of Rome. They were becoming increasingly frustrated with the power of the church and the level of corruption within it. Instead, there was a growing desire to return to the prosperous times of early Greece and Rome. Individualism was the central theme of humanism which began to flourish. “At the beginning we find, in the 14th century, an Italian humanist movement that eventually triggered what we may call the Renaissance proper” (Nickles). This put into motion the beginnings of an artistic revolution which lasted until the 16th century. During this time, there were political and economic factors, as well as people, that help shape this period into one of the most creative artistic times in human history.
Even as people grew leery of the church and gravitated towards the secularized ideas of humanism, most art still had a strong religious tone. In an effort to reestablish its influence, the church commissioned numerous pieces of artwork and was undoubtedly a leading contributor to the revitalization of artistic expression. The volume and scope of many of these art pieces allowed artist to earn a living while perfecting their skills and techniques.
The renaissance period ushered in a time of political stability which led to economic prosperity. As people were enjoying this prosperous era, it laid the foundation for the renewed interest in the arts. For the first time, individuals could afford to commission their own artwork. Most of the artwork was in the form of self-portraits, but some commissioned erotic or sensual art for their personal