In the Byzantine fresco shown on top, do the people look real? That wasn’t important in art of the Middle Ages. The religious themes were what mattered most.
The painter’s identity also did not matter. Artists of the Middle Ages didn’t develop their own unique styles, because they were just supposed to copy the styles of other artists. In the Middle Ages, no one asked, “Who painted this?”
What about the painting below? The Creation of Adam shows figures that look very realistic. Michelangelo’s style of painting, sculpting, and architecture made him famous. The names of individual artists became important during the Renaissance. Many of the world’s most famous artists worked during this time, including Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli.
Let’s take a closer look at some art that was created during the Renaissance.