Cultural Comparison: Medieval vs. Renaissance Art
Thus, art acts as a window through which one can look at any society, its culture, and its values.
This paper seeks to present how artworks from different periods in human history can help
people understand the societal, political as well as religious views spoken in society. This essay
will compare and contrast two artworks from distinct periods: the Renaissance period. The
selected works are the Book of Kells, which is an illuminated manuscript from the Medieval Era,
and The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci from the Renaissance. Through the evaluation of
these pieces of art, we will discover some of the cultural differences that set renaissance art from
medieval art. As in the previous comparison, this one will use the elements of design and context
analysis following the works chronologically.
Thesis Statement
The contrast between the Medieval Ages and the Renaissance is clearly captured in the transition
from the detailed, allegoric artistry of the "Book of Kells" to the naturalistic depiction of human
beings in Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" since these two pieces of art depict entirely
different worldviews in terms of culture, religion and knowledge.
Identification of Artworks
1. Medieval Era: Book of Kells
Artist: Unknown
Title: Book of Kells
Origin: Ireland, specifically the monastery at Iona
Date: Circa 800 CE
Size: Approximately 33 cm by 25 cm
Media: Vellum manuscript illuminated with ink and pigments
2. Renaissance: The Last Supper
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Title: The Last Supper
Origin: Milan, Italy
Date: 1495-1498 CE
Size: 460 cm by 880 cm
Media: Tempera and oil on plaster
Description and Formal Analysis
Book of Kells
"Book of Kells" is a masterpiece of the medieval art and calligraphy characterized by a high
level of detail and numerous symbols. Detailed geometric designs, bright and cheerful colours
and complex motifs of its figures are the ornaments of the given manuscript. There are highly
developed lines that trace unique patterns and designs of knot work. Oppositions of warm and
cold colors are used with emphasis put on gold, blue and red. The organization and design of the
article are intricate, with the use of text and images integrated in a very artistic manner. Much of
the religious aspects present here include Christian symbolism, whereby there is the Chi-Rho
monogram. The parchment used in writing the manuscript creates a physical feel, while layering
of pigments enhances the manuscript's feel.
The Last Supper
Another work that perfectly complements these principles of the Renaissance is Leonardo Da
Vinci's masterpiece, the "The Last Supper". The application of linear perspective provides depth
and directs the viewers' eye to the vanishing point while the application of one point perspective
is greatly done elaborately. Standing in a horizontal line where the head of the figure dominates
the composition, and Jesus is placed in the middle of the row makes the composition balanced.
The chiaroscuro technique provides the figures with bulk and, with that, something of a third
dimension. Moreover, the deception of the apostles could be illustrated by the signs and facial
emotions of the actors.
Contextual Analysis
Social and Political Factors
Unfortunately, the "Book of Kells" is an art product that originated in monasticity, and in a time
when Christianity had absolute control over a man's everyday life. It was relatively a period of
insecurity, the Vikings continued to inflict attacks on the British society. On the other hand, "The
Last Supper" was painted in renaissance Italy; this was a time of high productivity and a political
stability with renewed focus on the mainstream classical element. This particular case is typical
for the early Renaissance representing the spirit of the epoch, when powerful families sponsored
artists in order to assert their status.
Cultural and Religious Influences
In the aspects of medieval art and humanities, one must really appreciate the distinctive features
of this period, the church had played a very important role in determining the themes of most of
the works of arts, most of which were religious in nature and which acted more as educational
tools given the low literacy levels then. The well-known "Book of Kells" is the representative of
this type, as it contains the illustrations of the biblical scenes that are supposed to induce
admiration and reverence. The Renaissance, however marked a new age of humanism and man
and his experience, man and his individuality and man and nature. This was revealed by
responding to the prompt where the painting "The Last Supper" depicts a biblical scene but in a
more secular style with focus on the interpersonal feeling of people.
Historical Factors
The book of Kells was produced in the early Middle Ages, known by the name of the Dark Ages,
due to the decline of Roman civilization and the splintering of Europe. On the other hand, the
period of the renaissance was one of discovery and creation, which is why this period is called
the 'renaissance' or 'rebirth,' of classical learning and aesthetic doctrine. This is evident as this
period was characterized by developments in science, exploration and the arts by the increase in
the complexity of works such as "The Last Supper.
Humanism and Economic Wealth
The major feature of the Renaissance period was humanism, which could be defined as an
intellectual movement with a focus on classical texts signifying that human capability is
unbounded. The changed approach is apparent in the complexity of the human figures and the
concept of perspective evident in 'The Last Supper. ' A major factor was the growth of the
merchant class and development of economic wealth, which enabled the art patrons, the likes of
the Medici family, to fund the artists; hence, new ideas and innovations were explored.
Choice of Artworks
@@The choice of the works: "Book of Kells" and 'The Last Supper' can be explained by trying
to illustrate the points made as to represent certain periods of work, where there is a clear
transition from Medieval to Renaissance in terms of artistic approach.
Distinguishing Renaissance Art
Renaissance art differs from Medieval art due to the presented realism and perspective in the
artwork as well as humanism. It departed from the Medieval doctrine of using symbols and
ornamentation to using an artistic style that is closer to nature and enhanced by science.
Silhouettes were used, and artists applied various mathematical formulas so as to provide depth
and proportion; The subject areas were focused on concerns of the human experience and
emotion.
Comparison of Cultures
Regarding the cultural aspect, both the artworks, ''Book of Kells'' and ''The Last Supper'', are
informed with cultural frameworks of Medieval and the Renaissance period respectively. Future
civilisations, however, in comparison to the Gothic, while the Gothic produced art that was more
supernatural in nature, the Renaissance produced art that was realistic and humanistic due to its
humanistic focus on the period of classical antiquity. Other cultural differences can be seen in the
manner and the approach to composition, incorporation of perspective, and depiction of people.
Conclusion
From the Medieval to the Renaissance world, human civilization marked a radical turn of
concept in the light of culture, religion, and intellect. The picture of "Book of Kells" and "The
Last supper" represent these changes illustrating the shift from religious and symbolic art to
more realistic humanism. In this manner, we are able to understand the relevance of art as a form
of mirror and as a tool that shapes the societies in the artwork's existence. From this analysis we
are able to appreciate art as a cultural object or document that gives us an insight into the
characteristics, beliefs and achievements of certain sociopolitical periods with different cultures.
