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The Early Renaissance was an artistic turn away from a Gothic and Romanesque time. Famous artists like Brunelleschi, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, and many others helped make this shift by implementing current ideas into their artwork. The Early Renaissance was a huge step away from works that were made in devotion to a higher power. Instead, pieces were made to emphasize the importance of humans and their connection to the world, otherwise known as humanism. Although, there were still artists who were using methods that came before the Renaissance in their artwork. These creators laid the groundwork for new artists.  

Even though the shift to modernism seemed quick, it was anything but. The artists of this time worked hard to perfect their techniques and projects, even when trying new mediums. This shift mostly consisted of changes in the actual materials used in the piece and the meaning behind it. For example, paintings of Mary and baby Jesus had the same meaning behind them, however, the perspective that the figures were in changed.

It was as if the Renaissance artists started studying their subjects and the spaces around them, as opposed to painting it the way they thought it looked, which is what we do most today. In drawing and foundation classes we learn to look at our main reference subject, but to also use the empty spaces round the subject to get proportions and perspectives right.  

One example that I see most often today that’s related to the Renaissance era, is the appreciation of women’s bodies. In earlier paintings the women in the pieces were always trying to cover up their parts in some way, shape, or form.

It can also be noted that the ladies in these paintings seemed very ashamed of themselves, especially when they are put next to a male subject. In today’s world, women can feel more comfortable in their bodies because of the shift in gender norms. Now, women can even model for companies and are encouraged to express themselves however they want.