It was truly amazing to me when I read more and more about the Renaissance period in Europe and how it all came about. I often wonder on how this happened and learning more about the artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael whose painting and sculptures were far more naturalistic in portraying the human body. When I was visiting Rome about five years ago, I was able to see magnificent paintings and sculptures these artists have done first hand.
I often wondered why they would have religious themes to their art and only working for the churches at times. Now I know why....
The renewed cultural blossoming known to European history as the Renaissance. The blossoming celebrated and reclaimed a classical Greek Tradition that earlier had been obscured or viewed through the lens of Latin or Arabic translations.
All this began in the vibrant cities of Italy between roughly 1350 - 1500. The Renaissance reflected the belief of the wealthy elite that they were living in a wholly new era. Far removed from the confined religious world of feudal Europe. Educated citizens of these cities sought inspiration in the art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. They were "RETURNING TO THEIR SOURCES" as they put it. Their purpose was not to reconcile these works with ideas of Christianity. The elite patronized great Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
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