Religious Art Throughout The Ages
Religious Art – Early Christian Art
Some of the most revered oil paintings in the world are officially deemed to be Religious Art Works. For eons Artists have created oil paintings depicting themes based upon those religions which encompass many cultures around the world. In the West the depiction of Biblical stories tends to be the accepted definition of orthodox Religious Art. Throughout the Renaissance Artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael produced much of that which we regard as orthodox Religious Art today: And Indeed during this era Religious Art was at its height - Primarily because it was the Catholic Church who commissioned those artists to produce oil paintings and sculptures that could officially be deemed orthodox.
The word Religion is derived from the ancient Latin word Religio: It was a word used to describe the mental process of carefully considering all things divine and pious. In the simplest terms translated, it means ‘to connect things together’: And indeed, all Religions have a common vein in that they all seek to make sense of the world – To connect things together. All cultures at some point have looked for the connection between birth and death: The changing of the seasons; summer, autumn, winter and spring – The principle essence of Nature and Nurture. Therefore, fundamentally the word Religion is a generic term and so not actually tantamount to Christianity.
The term Religious Art is used to define those works that depict religious themes as well as those art works expressing the spirituality of the Artist: The latter referring to the idea that Religious Art is something a Religious Artist creates. While this may be true: What is also true is Religious themes have been depicted for non religious purposes; by religious AND non-religious artists. Therefore defining Religious Art literally in any sense can be problematic. Thus, for definition purposes it shall be said that this article will discuss Early Christian Art.
Dated around 70AD the most ancient Christian Art on earth can be found at the Tel Megiddo (Mound of Megiddo). This is an ancient site overlooking the West side of the Jezreel Valley near Kibbutz in Israel. In the New Testament the term Armageddon was derived from Hebrew for Mount of Megiddo. Its position was a strategic one – From 7000BC until 586BC Tel Megiddo was a crossroads that connected Assyria and Egypt. Tel Megiddo has remained uninhabited since 586BC. In ancient times many battles were fought here: The mound is actually layer upon layer of ruins. Today it remains a place of great historical importance – Particularly with regards to Christian Art.
The ancient Catacombs of Rome house the largest group of Christian Art paintings in the world. From the second century the Catacombs of Rome offered up a place for persecuted Christians to be buried in secret. In the Catacombs Paganists, Jews and Christians were buried side by side: As well as segregated. Some of the Christian Art works found in the Catacombs have been dated before 400AD. What is most interesting about these art works, from an art history point of view, is how the depiction of Christ progressed from 400AD until 600AD: Probably the most significant aspect with regards to the modern study of Early Christian Art.
Until Constantine adopted and legalized Christianity in 313AD, Christian Art was a derivative of Roman art that was a derivative of Greek Art: Which was mythical and legendary in style. There was no accepted depiction of Christ – He was iconographic (perhaps a bird for example) or depicted as a babe in arms. The orthodox depiction of Christ we recognize today began to develop around the time of Constantine until 600AD – Since then the depiction of Christ within the arts has been surprisingly consistent.
The painting at Tel Megiddo and the evolution of the depiction of Christ in the Catacombs of Rome are of great significance to art historians. Nevertheless, it is the Christian Art Works of the Renaissance that many people understand, recognize and accept to be orthodox Religious Art.
Paintings created by the grand masters of the era such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo. Da Vinci: And indeed, these Artists produced some of the finest Religious Art Works in the world. Some renowned Modern Artists have produced some equally recognizable Religious Art works for the Church: Matisse, Epstein, Dali and Chagall for example. Even so, while times have much changed since the Renaissance: Particularly within the arts - Religious Christian Art has remained relatively consistent: As has the depiction of Christ.
Religious Art - The Renaissance and Rebirth
Until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 the most elaborate Byzantine Christian Art of the highest quality was produced by the Imperial workshops there: Those art works produced being referred to as Icons. Byzantine Art was greatly influential to Eastern artists living in the Ottoman Empire (Bulgaria, Russia and Serbia for example) - The art works they produced are often referred to as Post-Byzantine. Today many ancient Byzantine methodologies continue to be used by those artists producing Christian Religious Art work in the East: Russia being the most notable of all.
After the fall of Constantinople Venetian and Sicilian artists also continued to work in the Byzantine style. During the Renaissance far less Religious Art was produced: Even so, Christian Art continued to be created in the work shops of the Church, in abundance. That is, until the Protestant Reformation began in 1517. The Reformation had a huge impact upon Christian Religious Art in the West: Much of the Religious Art produced consequently being destroyed - And little more being created in what were now Protestant countries – In response Artists switched to more secular subjects such as portraiture and landscapes: Biblical stories of the Saints and Sinners were replaced by legendary tales from classical Greek mythology. More or less returning to the Iconic arts of Rome produced before Constantine made Christianity legal.
Even so, despite the unrest, Christian Religious Art continued to be produced in Catholic Countries: Although under the strict control of the Church. The Catholic Revival began at an end of the Thirty Year War and was a direct reaction to the Protestant Reformation. The production of Christian Religious Art rose but the control of the Church became even tighter around that time – Which was circa 1640.
The Renaissance in Italy began around 1400 and continued until around 1600. During this time, throughout Europe, great intellectual advancements were made and significant cultural changes came about as a result: Medieval Europe moved toward a more modern outlook. The word Renaissance means “rebirth” in Italian – Although the word was not applied until the nineteenth century: The Renaissance is historically regarded as a time when classical antiquity was reborn.
For the elite of the Renaissance these changes were significant – A move away from what they regarded as The Dark Ages: Although for the populous little changes were notable. The Catholic Church began to build monumental buildings that brought forth the need for new orthodox Religious Art that shifted the onus away from the mythical and legendary visions typical of the Ancient Greek arts: The style that had been adopted throughout the protestant reforms.
Leonardo Da Vinci is regarded by many to be the epitome of what was the Renaissance Man: Possessing an avid (if not voracious) curiosity and thirst for knowledge. He was an inventor, diverse and indeed unusual. But above of all he was among the greatest artists of the Renaissance. His painting The Last Supper is almost certainly the most recognized Christian Religious Art work in the world: If not the most reproduced – The Creation of Adam by his contemporary Michelangelo being its closest rival. Leonardo spent the last few years working in the Vatican in Rome producing Religious Art works for the Catholic Church – At the time, while younger, Raphael and Michelangelo were also actively creating notable Religious Art works for the Church. From 1513 until his death in 1519 Francis I of France was Da Vinci’s patron. Leonardo Da Vinci died in France in the Kings manor house accompanied by his long term friend and apprentice Francesco Melzi.
Today some feel that Religious Art has become stagnant. And indeed, Contemporary Religious Art is somewhat thin upon the ground. Even so, there has been Religious Works produced during the nineteenth century that have been considered notable: By Artists such as Matisse, Manet and Chagall. However, the appreciation of them is more with regards to the talent of the Artist: Not as religious icons. Outside of Christian Art, Religious Art has prospered among various cultures around the world: Its evolution and style being very different to Christian Art. Indeed the emotional, abstract and symbolic Religious Art produced within many cultures much more reflects the Contemporary style of painting many people favor today.
Religious Art – The Creation of Adam
Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was many things - A poet, an engineer and architect – As well as a highly skilled painter and sculptor. Born in 1475 Michelangelo was an archetype example of the Renaissance Man: As was his rival and predecessor Leonardo Da Vinci. Indeed these artists remain rivals even today with regards to the most famed and accomplished Religious Art work ever created. Many feel that Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper claims the title: Others feel that Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam is the superior. With regards to the technical ability of the artist, the visual impact of the composition and cultural significance of these paintings; anointing either or would be impossible. Therefore, as is the nature of all the arts (religious or no) it is very much down to personal preference.
One of the major and notable differences between Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci is Michelangelo completed his works and was prolific throughout his artistic life. In comparison, Leonardo Da Vinci (while extremely busy investigating and developing ideas) rarely finished any of the art works he was commissioned to do. Michelangelo did not actually hold painting in high regard – Which is somewhat rudimentary to the mind of a Sculptor. Michelangelo was a highly skilled painter. Even so, his creative mind lived in reality, in the physical. He was born a Sculptor - David and La Pietà was completed by the artist before he was thirty years old.
"If there is some good in me, it is because I was born in the subtle atmosphere of your country of Arezzo. Along with the milk of my nurse I received the knack of handling chisel and hammer, with which I make my figures” - Michelangelo
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – Scenes from Genesis – is probably the most renowned group of Religious Art works in the world: Certainly Christendom. The ceiling took four years to complete and was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508. The Sistine Chapel is where Pope’s are elected and various other important Catholic ceremonies take place: And within its walls are some of the finest Religious Art works in Christendom. Including tapestries by Raphael: Paintings by Botticelli and Perugino: As well as The Last Judgement and the Scenes from Genesis by Michelangelo. Nevertheless, of all these incredible Religious Art works The Creation of Adam upon the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is the most revered and recognized.
The Creation of Adam depicts that moment when God breathed life into him. Chronologically it is the fourth painting: However, The Creation of Adam was among the last of the scenes to be finished. This is a highly detailed painting where God and Adam both have their right arms outstretched to each other. God is holding out his finger to Adam in a way that denotes his life is being absorbed by: A detail that has become one of the most recognized aspects of this painting.
Many historians believe that Michelangelo’s inspiration for this came from Veni Creator Sprintus – Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest is a hymn from the ninth century greatly associated with the Catholic Church: It is sung at the confirmation of children, the ordinance of a new Priest, consecration of a Bishop, election of a new Pope, the coronation of Kings as well various other formal religious events. The third verse of the hymn which opens with ‘O finger of the hand divine’ is the particular source of inspiration the historians are referring to.
‘O Finger of the hand divine
the sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;
true promise of the Father thou,
who dost the tongue with power endow’
Michelangelo was the first artist in the West to have his biography written and published before his death: Two in fact! From an early age the Artist was referred to by many as Il Divino which means The Divine One. Many Artists have sought to capture the expressive emotion that was heartfelt with Michelangelo – His was a perfection that concluded the Mannerist Style adopted and accepted as orthodox for centuries afterward: Mannerism being the most dominant style after the Renaissance – Right up until the end of the eighteenth century.
Modern Religious Art
Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni produced some greatest Religious Art in the world during the Renaissance: Alongside his predecessor Leonardo Da Vinci and contemporary Raphael. Once these great masters of the Renaissance passed few notable artists created any Religious Art works considered particularly remarkable. Even though the Church did commission some significant works the world has not witnessed the creation of anything on par with Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam: Or Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Since the beginning of the eighteenth century it has been the Artists prerogative as to if and how they produce Religious Art: Not an act somewhat dictated by the Catholic Church. Hence there are Modern Art Works that are not deemed orthodox although they are certainly deemed religious.
Today relatively speaking Contemporary Religious Art is thin on the ground. Some might say it has even become somewhat stagnated. Even so, while its production may have been in decline for some time Modern Religious Art has been produced during the nineteenth century that is significant and revered: Both spiritually and artistically – Religious works by Artists such as Matisse, Manet, Chagall, Rodin, Van Gogh and Kandinsky are exhibited in some of the most revered art galleries in the world: And this includes the Musei Vaticani – The Vatican Museums.
The Collezione Arte Religiosa Moderna – The collection of Modern Religious Art at the Vatican Museums is surprisingly vast. In its entirety there are fifty five rooms displaying around eight hundred Religious Art Works from two hundred and fifty world renowned Modern Artists. . Included in those Religious Art Works is Vincent Van Gogh’s Pietà - After Delacroix. In his early years Vincent Van Gogh frequently reproduced famous works of art that he admired. This was a habit he resumed in 1898 after a long break from work: Which happened after Van Gogh left Paris emotionally and mentally drained: (During the two years he spent in the city the Artist produced around two hundred paintings and had fought many Artistic battles both personally and publically).
Vincent Van Gogh produced Pietà in 1889. It is no coincidence that Eugène Delacroix's theories on that moulded Van Gogh’s own perceptions in his early years are particularly notable within this painting. Delacroix was a Romantic painter: In that his aspirations were exotic, symbolic: His brushwork expressive and his colors emotional. Delacroix's investigations into the effects of light and color had great influence upon the evolution of Impressionism. Delacroix was himself influenced by and inspired by the work of the Venetian Artists of the Renaissance and Rubens: Although his emphasis was upon movement, color and clarity of form.
Delacroix was passionately in love with passion, but coldly determined to express passion as clearly as possible” – Baudelaire.
Pietà by Van Gogh is a small oil painting: Just 41cm x 34cm. The painting in the Vatican Museum is the first version which was made by Van Gogh for his bedroom (it was referred to in a letter to his sister) – Another version is on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam: This was for his mother. The Vatican Museum has many notable Modern Religious Art Works. Many of which were donated to the Sancta Sedes - the Holy See - by the Artists themselves or collectors: The Holy See being the diplomatic side of the Roman Catholic Church which represents the Vatican City State in its entirety. While many may refer to this body simply as The Vatican, in actuality the Holy See dates back to early Christendom and so existed well before the Vatican City State.
The Modern Religious Art Collection at the Vatican Museum was inaugurated by Pope Paul VI in 1974. There have been claims that the collection is indulgent and that these Religious Works should be sold to raise money for the poor. While the intentions of this are to do well the effect of this would not be in many respects. There are millions of pounds that could be given charitably without loss – Whereas these works of art are one of a kind: They cannot be replaced as can a dollar bill. Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes responded by declaring that the Holy See had a duty with regards to conserving these works of art: And indeed, it seems a curious notion to think of The Last Supper and The Sistine Chapel becoming part of a private collection.
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