Napoleon Bonaparte said, "A picture is worth a thousand words.” Throughout history, art has reflected what defines a culture and time period. This is found in particular in artwork from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Although they are very similar in some ways, there are also many differences, from color to backgrounds, to the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional qualities. Medieval and Renaissance art have some similarities, but more noticeable are the differences.
Both Medieval and Renaissance art are similar in theme, style, and type of work. Seen in many portraits of medieval art are the religious figures of Virgin Mary, Christ and Christ’s crucifixion, likewise seen in Renaissance art are Roman and pagan gods. Many pieces of art tell a story in both ages, like The Birth of Venus, and The Adoration of the Magi by Botticelli, from the early ages of the Renaissance, or the Deposition of Christ and The Kiss of Judas by Giotto in the Medieval age. Both ages, Medieval and Renaissance, produced the same kind of art; from illuminated manuscripts, tapestries, embroidery, paintings, fresco, and mosaics to stained glass, metalwork, textiles, enamel, and sculptures.
Even with the similarities of the artwork from Medieval Times and the Renaissance Age, both ages have contrasts in use of backgrounds and colors, creating realistic images, and the use of perspective. If someone looked at one painting from each age, they would be able to see in the Medieval age painting, the background is all one color and the colors used for the painting are quite muted and dull. In contrast the Renaissance age painting they might see landscape as a background and the colors are more vibrant and cheerful. Facial expressions and realism are another great difference. In the Medieval age the faces are not that realistic looking and don’t have much expression to them. On the other hand in the Renaissance age the faces are very realistic looking and have many different expressions. But the most obvious difference between the two ages is the 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional effect, which is the reason that Renaissance paintings look so much more realistic.
Even though the art through the Medieval and Renaissance ages is similar, there is also some noticeable differences. In both ages, artists tell a story with the same theme, style and type of work. But at the same time contrasts are seen in the backgrounds and colors, creating realistic images and the use of perspective. Many people see the art from these ages and only recognize the ways art has changed over time, however there is beauty found in each age in the expression of the artist to portray what was most important to him.
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