The upheavals occurring in the arts and humanities were paralleled by a dynamic period of change in the sciences through humanism. A more secular approach to science had arose; thus, diverting some attention from the church. The Renaissance had a profound effect on contemporary theology, particularly in the way people perceived the relationship between man and God, this movement was called humanism. This alteration of belief, allowed artists to surpass their established religious-based limits, and establish their art on a more secular ideal. Sandro Botticelli stands as a model of this new way of thinking. Botticelli started off, as most other artists, making his living out of painting religious scenes, though his interest was far removed from Jesus. Although he later appears to have altered his style, when creating the mythological paintings he is so well known for, the Christian root is still present. Some of his paintings such as The Birth of Venus (Figure 1) and Primavera (Figure 4), portray images of pagan deities; thus, revealing Botticelli’s secular art. However, it has been suggested that in these mythological paintings, where the pagan story is taken with reverent seriousness, Venus is meant to represent the Virgin Mary in another form. This theory rightly embodies the Renaissance enlightenment, by which thinking was made more secular, but the church still heavily influenced all art. In both mythological paintings, the naked symbol is a symbol of spiritual love, this is represented by its harmonious features. By painting a naked god, Botticelli took various liberties with nature in order to achieve a graceful outline that would add to the beauty and harmony of the design, thus, symbolizing a heavenly place. Botticelli was heavily persuaded by the church, which caused him in his later years to turn devotedly religious to the extent that he burnt many of his pagan paintings. Historians assume the sudden change is because of the religious reformer Savonarola. An example of one of Botticelli’s paintings after his religious transformation is in Figure
During the Renaissance, artists were no longer regarded as mere artisans, as they had been in the medieval past, but for the first time, they were seen as individual personalities. Thus, these artists became well aware of the transformations that were taking place. This drove them to develop self-confidence as they began more fully and regularly to recognize their intellectual and creative status. They were the first to believe in the actual “genius” of humanity and the fact that people could be brilliant. It became an ambition to be as well rounded and talented in as many areas as possible. Botticelli could be proven to have also followed this pattern of well-earned self-absorption. In his painting The Adoration of the Magi, (Figure 2) by Botticelli featured the Medici family gathered around the Holy Family, as well as a self- portrait. Botticelli stands in the painting staring arrogantly out at the viewer, placed inside the family’s circle of friends. It is suggested that he was trying to make a statement, and to make himself known as also being an important figure. The setting in the Adoration of the Magi emphasizes the belief that Christianity arose from the ruins of paganism, and proposes continuity between ancient and Christian philosophy starting from the birth of Christ. This portrayal of him in a self-portrait shows how he viewed himself and the grown self-awareness and acceptance, that he was, in fact, an important individual. He also drew another self-portrait (Figure 6), enforcing the idea, that he became aware of how important artists were becoming, and in an attempt of trying to be remembered, he incorporated himself in his art.
The Renaissance is perhaps best known for its artistic aspect and the contributions of artists such as Botticelli, who inspired the term “Renaissance artist”. The Renaissance period characterized a revival of learning based on classical sources from Greek and Roman background, the secular enlightenment that made society question the validity of certain ideas promoted by the church and the confidence gained by artists when they became aware of their significance. These features are embodied by Botticelli, who was an extremely successful painter at the peak of his career, with a highly individual and graceful style. Through specific techniques and methods, Botticelli is able to convey the art that is considered typical of the Renaissance as well as create a unique way to be remembered. In paintings such as The Birth of Venus, Primavera, and the Adoration of the Magi, Botticelli demonstrates his representation of a renaissance artist by conveying a restoration of the Greek and Roman arts, a more secular approach to his paintings and an individualistic attitude in his art.
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Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
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