Introduction
In the middle ages, scientists and people blindly followed rules laid down by the church or by ancient Greek philosophers, instead of observing nature for themselves. Anything that Aristotle said was true at that time unless the bible said otherwise. All that changed when Scholars came up with new theories by observing nature for themselves and they replaced these with old assumptions. The scientific revolution was a new way of thinking about the natural world. That way was based on careful observation and willingness to question accepted beliefs. (Modern World pg 165) During the Scientific revolution there were not only changes in science but also in art. After the people started accepting the scientific method and the churches power was weakened painters also made new discoveries in perspective, anatomy and light and shadow. The themes of paintings changed from purely religious to portraits, landscapes etc. (Renaissance)Even though the Italian medieval artist Cimabue (1240?-1302?) attempted a more realistic approach in his mosaics and paintings, they still seem very 2Dimensional, unrealistic and disproportional. (“Cimabue”) Before the scientific revolution, themes in paintings were purely religious and the size and form of figures shown in paintings were arranged in their symbolic importance (Renaissance).
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Even though the Italian medieval artist Cimabue (1240?-1302?) attempted a more realistic approach in his mosaics and paintings, they still seem very 2Dimensional, unrealistic and disproportional. (“Cimabue”) Before the scientific revolution, themes in paintings were purely religious and the size and form of figures shown in paintings were arranged in their symbolic importance (Renaissance).The Madonna in this piece of art is larger than the angels because the angels are not as important. One example of unrealism in this icon is that the head of the Madonna has been painted very disproportional in view of the fact that the eyes are not in the center of the face, how they usually should be.
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Madonna and Child enthroned
Benchivieni di Pepo/Cimabue, 1285
Tempera on Wood
385 × 223 cm
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
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In that case the face seems very large in contrast to the whole head of the Madonna. Normally objects which are further away are smaller but in this piece of art the size of the angels stay the same no matter how far they are away.
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These dissections, as shown in this painting by Rembrandt (1609-1669), were social events at that time and took place in lecture rooms which were like theaters. Students, Colleagues and the general the general public were only permitted to enter with an entrance fee. In this particular dissection Dr. Nicolaes Tulp explains the arrangement of the muscles in the arms of the human body. (Anatomy lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp) This painting signifies the importance of revolutionary discoveries during that period not only because dissections were very uncommon events and the level of medical science was brought to a new level but also art has been revolutionized.
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Anatomy lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
Rembrandt, 1632
Oil on Canvas
216 × 170 cm
Mauritshuis, The Hague
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First of all at that time, artists were not anymore viewed as mere artisans, like in the middle ages, but for the first time as independent personalities. They solved visual and formal problems, which made their paintings even more realistic. (Renaissance Art and Architecture)
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The invention of the painting canvas was a great advancement in art and it is still used today. The canvas is usually stretched across a wooden frame called a stretcher and then coated with gesso before it should be used. The gesso is used that the oil paint does not come in direct contact with the canvas fibers, which would cause the canvas to decay. (Canvas) The invention of the oil medium, by Jan van Eyck in the 15th century, made the canvas very popular because paintings can be made much more detailed on canvas than on wooden panels. Oil based paint permits a greater variety of effects, because the paint dries relatively slowly and is therefore easier to match, blend and corrections are easier to make. (Oil painting) The wide acceptance of these discoveries, among artists, was mostly triggered by the scientific revolution.
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Example of a painting Canvas
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Konstantin
