What was a significant characteristic of Renaissance artwork?

The significant characteristic of Renaissance artwork is the focus on human experience and realism. This period, spanning roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, marked a departure from the stylized and symbolic representations prevalent during the Middle Ages. Artists sought to capture the true essence of human life, emotions, and the natural world, leading to a greater emphasis on proportion, perspective, and anatomy.

Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael studied the human form and utilized techniques such as chiaroscuro to create depth and lifelike qualities in their work. This focus on individual experience and the human condition represents a fundamental shift towards naturalism and a celebration of the individual, contrasting sharply with earlier artistic traditions that tended to prioritize religious themes and idealized figures. Thus, this emphasis on realism and the exploration of human experience became defining features of Renaissance art.