The Renaissance was a long time ago (duh). 

So why do we still care about all this art from the 14th to 17th century so much? The art of the Renaissance was beautiful and marked a big change in the way we as humans create, but it often feels unrelatable and frankly, unexciting. 

Considering our current experiences with Covid-19, the feeling of being on the other side (hopefully) of a plague is something we share with the artists of the Renaissance. The Renaissance period was a rebirth of society after the plague devastated Europe in the 1300’s. Not unlike the way musicians now are coming out of hiding and putting out albums, TV shows are resuming filming, and art galleries are reopening, the artists of the Renaissance were responding to a new, more open world after the devastation of their own pandemic. While we may not relate to stiff portraits and religious scenes, we do relate to the inspiration that comes with re-entering the world after a period of quarantine and (hopefully) reflection. 

So, the next time you’re in front of a dusty Renaissance painting, don’t forget that you’re not so different from the person who made that painting. After our period of plague, go out and enjoy the world, and most importantly, create. 

XOXO,

Abby Smith

(Arts Section Editor and Old Ass Painting Lover)