Lierature and Art
Literature and art have led a close and mutually influential relationship through the ages. Literary works have influenced a predominant majority of artists from the great to the lesser and common. Michelangelo is considered by many as the greatest artist of the Renaissance and one whom was also greatly influenced by various literature. He grew up during a period of Enlightenment, which encouraged learning and the development of new ideas. Classical philosophies of Plato and Aristotle were rediscovered and became influential in determining the direction of the philosophy of art. For example, Artistole's 'Poetics' became the basis for writings on the visual arts and also literature, as well as giving rise to ideas about the purpose and creation of art and beauty. Aristotle stated that words and an image have certain similarities. "Both imitate (and perfect) nature, and both do so through plot (word) or design (image), both employ narrative devices, and both tell many of the same stories." This idea was employed by Michelangelo who based his works predominately on stories and images from the Bible (his famous fresco of the 'Creation of Adam' for example). Due in part to the fact that a large portion of his work was commissione
As mentioned earlier the Bible has been the most prevalent literary influence on art. Michelangelo has been influenced by it greatly as not only a Christian himself, but also because most of his works were commissioned by the Church itself. 'The Creation of Adam' is one such work that mirrors the Biblical tale of creation. He has however imbuid the picture with his own stylistic and creative aspects drawn from the philosophy of art that permiated the period, which were based on the literary works of Alberti and Leonardo and a number of other philosophers and humanists, as well as the ancient texts of both Plato and Aristotle. The combination of talent and intellect gathered from experience and these aforementioned sources helped ensure not only Michealangelo's greatness as an artist, but also his ongoing development as one. There has been no greater literary influence on art than the Bible. The Church's position has been that the visual arts illustrate or, in more Christian terminology, 'illuminate' the sacred text. Pope Gregory the Great (who reigned 590-604) wrote on the matter: "Pictures are used in Churches so that those who are ignorant of letters may at least read by seeing on the walls what they cannot read in books. What writing does for the literate, a picture does for the literate looking at it." Thus works of art were considered as instruction manuals (visual texts) and not as idols, as the latter consideration would have gone against the first commandment of God. This idea of a work of art as a narrative was used by Michelangelo to create scenes for the Sistine Chapel ceiling (painted between 1508-1512) based on stories from Genesis (Creation, Fall and Redemption). The
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Approximate Word count = 1149
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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