Renaissance and Middle Ages Art

Different periods in time have, clearly, different types of art. In some cases it is the art that defines the time period. The two periods in comparison are the art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Art from the Middle Ages centered around human beliefs and the way they wanted to express them. Romanesque Art, for instance, focused on Judgment Day. The Churches were more like fortresses and gigantic monuments of Judgment Day adorned the entryways into the Churches. Gothic architecture, still in the Middle Ages, was different from Romanesque art and focused on the light of God. Stained glass windows were put everywhere possible around the Churches to let the Light into the lives of people. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_art#Romanesque_art). In the 14th century the Renaissance began. The type of art in this period was commissioned by the wealthy people. They told the artists what they wanted to be painted, paid the artist, and he painted it. Portraits were very prominent, both of the commissioner and of the artists. Renaissance art also showed aspects of one's environment and how they were affected by it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance#Art).  Middle Age art was spiritual and holy while Renaissance art was natural and human.