The Influence of Secular Themes on Artistic Technique and Subject Matter in Renaissance Art

Artists and viewers widely recognize the Renaissance art movement as one of the most influential movements in art history. From the 14th to the 17th century, the Renaissance was characterized by realistic paintings, vibrant use of color, and a sense of depth and space (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). This shift in style is widely attributed to the political climate at the time, which was marked by new cultural, scientific, and intellectual advances that gave rise to religious freedom (Kennedy). This shift from religious scenes to more secular subjects influenced artists to explore anatomy and space in art, which defined new techniques such as realism and naturalism in mediums like oil paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and even music (Bardon).

Subject Matter

One of the most notable changes that took hold during the Renaissance was the change in subject matter. In the Middle Ages, religion was the primary focus in all forms of art. Art was used to express and affirm religious belief rather than to appreciate creativity. This was largely due to funding. Prior to the Renaissance, the church paid for most commissioned works. However, the rise of the middle class changed everything when they began to commission works for their homes to show their success. No longer were artists tied to the religious subjects and symbolism that had defined art in the past. Now, artists could explore the full range of their capabilities, giving rise to realism and naturalism (Bardon).

Portraits became one of the most notable art styles of the time due to the emphasis on painting realistic human subjects. Rather than painting artistically rendered religious figures, artists moved to painting people they could reference to create the most natural human form. The inclusion of real-life scenes, including landscapes and backgrounds, laid the groundwork for using perspective to create space and depth in paintings. Using natural light and shadowing also became popular as a result of seeking more realistic art. Eventually, contemporary scenes of life, landscapes, and still lifes gained traction in the movement as well, expanding the reach of naturalism to all forms of art (Bardon).

Mediums

The change in artistic focus brought on by new subject matter and the demand for more detailed, complex work required updated artistic mediums. One of the most popular mediums was oil painting, because it allowed artists to blend colors to create realistic hues while offering precision and accuracy that complemented the complexity of the work. Tempera paintings were also popular, though they were generally considered less desirable than oil paintings (Bardon). Frescos also became popular due to the vibrant colors artists could achieve by layering paint onto wet plaster. However, it was difficult to apply the fresco in all climates because areas like Venice were too humid to set properly, which ultimately contributed to oil painting dominating the movement (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica).

The influence of intellectual thinking and the study of anatomy also allowed artists to enhance their skills in sculpting, creating some of the most detailed, anatomically correct statues to date. Most sculptors were also architects or engineers who dedicated their lives to understanding how things worked. Artists experimented with a range of mediums, from clay to marble to bronze. Many statues that were created during this time are still standing with immaculate detail today (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica).

Works Cited

[1] Bardon, Alexandra. “Renaissance Art: History, Impact and Influential Artists | LU.” Lindenwood University Online, 16 Oct. 2024, online.lindenwood.edu/blog/the-renaissance-art-period-history-effects-and-influential-artists.

[2] Kennedy, Lesley. “How The Renaissance Challenged the Church and Influenced the Reformation | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 18 Feb. 2025, www.history.com/articles/renaissance-influence-reformation-humanism.

[3]The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “What Are the Characteristics of Renaissance Art, and How Does It Differ From the Art of the Middle Ages? | Britannica.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2025, www.britannica.com/question/What-are-the-characteristics-of-Renaissance-art-and-how-does-it-differ-from-the-art-of-the-Middle-Ages.

[4] The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Renaissance Art | Definition, Characteristics, Style, Examples, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2025, www.britannica.com/art/Renaissance-art.