It is way to load simple pictures with complex meanings.
Religious images were not a major focus of Renaissance art as opposed to Medieval art.
The most famous medieval art work is the monalisa
Late medieval
Medieval art refers to the artistic styles and practices that flourished in Europe during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century. It encompasses a variety of forms, including illuminated manuscripts, frescoes, sculptures, and architecture, often characterized by religious themes and symbolism. This art served not only as decoration but also as a means of conveying spiritual messages and educating a largely illiterate populace. Key periods within medieval art include the Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic styles, each reflecting the cultural and historical contexts of the time.
Perspective
Herbert L. Kessler has written: 'Rome 1300' -- subject(s): Buildings, structures, Christian art and symbolism, Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages, Church history, Description and travel, Fiction, Holy Year, 1300, Italian Art 'Seeing medieval art' -- subject(s): Medieval Art 'Studies in pictorial narrative' -- subject(s): Bible, Christian art and symbolism, Illustrations, Jewish art and symbolism, Medieval Art, Medieval Illumination of books and manuscripts, Narrative art
Franco Giovanni Ferrero has written: 'Arte medievale in Canavese =' -- subject(s): Art, Italian, Art, Medieval, Christian art and symbolism, Italian Art, Medieval Art
Timothy Husband has written: 'The wild man' -- subject(s): Exhibitions, Medieval Art, Symbolism in art, Wild men in art
Oskar Wulff has written: 'Altchristliche und mittelalterliche byzantinische und italienische Bildwerke' -- subject(s): Art, Early Christian, Art, Medieval, Early Christian Art, Early Christian Sculpture, Medieval Art, Medieval Sculpture, Sculpture, Early Christian, Sculpture, Medieval 'Altchristliche und byzantinische kunst' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Art, Byzantine, Byzantine Art, Christian art and symbolism
A key characteristic of medieval art is its focus on religious themes and an emphasis on symbolism, often prioritizing spiritual representation over realism. Figures in medieval art are typically stylized and lack proportionality, contrasting with Renaissance art's emphasis on naturalism, perspective, and human anatomy. Additionally, medieval art often features flat, two-dimensional depictions, whereas Renaissance art embraces depth and three-dimensionality.
Karoline Danz has written: '\\' -- subject(s): Alabaster art objects, Medieval Alabaster sculpture, Church decoration and ornament, Gambling in art, Christian art and symbolism
Alastair Mackintosh has written: 'Symbolism and art nouveau' -- subject(s): Art nouveau, Modern Art, Symbolism (Art movement), Symbolism in art
Symbolism was a major part of Italian/northern Renaissance art, and dogs were used to symbolize loyalty.
Ernst Kitzinger has written: 'Early medieval art in the British Museum' -- subject(s): Medieval Art 'Early medieval art' -- subject(s): Art, Medieval, Medieval Art 'Early medieval art, with illustrations from the British Museum collection' -- subject(s): Art, Medieval, British Museum, Medieval Art
Christian Heck has written: 'The grand medieval bestiary' -- subject(s): Animals in art, Themes, motives, Animals, Mythical, in art, ART / History / Medieval, Medieval Illumination of books and manuscripts 'Histoire de l'art Flammarion' -- subject(s): Islamic art, Christian art and symbolism 'Collections du Nord-Pas-de-Calais' -- subject(s): Catalogs, Flemish Painting, French Painting, Painting, Painting, Flemish, Painting, French
Georg-Karl Bauer has written: 'Sternkunde und Sterndeutung der Deutschen im 9.-14. Jahrhundert' -- subject(s): Astrology, Astronomy, Medieval, Christian art and symbolism, Medieval Astronomy
Christa Belting-Ihm has written: '\\' -- subject(s): Art, Christian art and symbolism, Christian saints in art, Symbolism