Page 79 - HMUN

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Art and Religion - A match made in Heaven?
- Kaveri Pillai

“When religion becomes artificial,
art has a duty to rescue it.

Art can show that the symbols

which religions would have us believe

are truly figurative.

Art can idealize those symbols and
so reveal the profound truth they

contain.”

-Richard Wagner (19th century)

Artists have always seen art as a medium through which they can express

their sentiments and views on certain matters . Whether it was about The

Dead Christ with Angels, 1864 by Édouard Manet or the Sistine Chapel

ceiling painting by Michelangelo, religion played an important role in their

artwork . If at all we go back to the 14th century ,when Renaissance had just hit

Europe , one can observe that artists were widening their horizons of creativity.

Gods were now depicted in a more human way which made religion more

relatable and myths were portrayed via paintings, sculptures and murals. This

cultural movement marked the beginning of the Modern Age. It helped invent

the idea of humanism and showcased religion through a different lens. The

idea of humanism was mostly secular since it was a method of learning by

Type to enter text giving empirical evidence and reasoning importance . But it did contradict

the very foundation of Christianity. While visual art and poetry was

previously dedicated to the Church , it was now being criticized; whether it

Illustration By was about Alexander VI, a Borgia Pope infamous for his corruption or Kings
Miraya Baid and Queens with their god-like façade – they were now mocked by the artists
and the common man. There was now an increased awareness of nature, a

revival of classical learning, and a more individualistic view of man. All of this affected the