Saint Mark and David inspired humanism, an intellectual movement of the Renaissance. During the Renaissance, artists gave up on middle-age traditions in architecture, painting, and sculptures, mainly for church decoration, and adopted humanist beliefs. They shifted their focus from religious arts to capturing detailed human bodies; this was an art revolution centered on human rather than religious beliefs. The sculptures of Saint Mark and David are significant in the incorporation of Christian beliefs and ancient philosophy (Azimjon, 2021). The influence of their sculptures played a critical role in distinguishing religion, humans, and the state.
The two figures correlate with their detailed body sculptures, which is significant to the Renaissance Humanism period that embraces and distinguishes human and religious beliefs. Initially, scriptures were presented in the art without the biblical figures. Donatello pioneered the new art of presenting them in sculptures, an idea inspired by Rennaisance Humanism.
The difference between the two figures is the presentation of David as a naked boy and Saint Mark covered in clothing. David’s sculpture is in the Accademia Gallery of Florence, while Saint Mark’s is in Orsanimichele, both in Florence, Italy.
The nakedness symbolizes his youthful body presence of God in David, unlike Goliath, whom he later killed (Totally History, n.d.). Saint Mark’s clothing symbolizes modern times in the Bible where people were clothes. In addition, he held a bible to imply that the fight was no longer physical but through the scripture.
The artists used common human attributes to signify their dignity and something they could relate to. Their focus was to use art to enhance the understanding, significance, and distinction of human needs and religious beliefs. This was achieved since the sculptures’ presentation reflected their cultural reality.
The sculptures are informative, and they are something I can relate to since they reflect my culture. It has helped me identify and delineate my needs from absolute religious beliefs; I can distinguish my human and spiritual needs. Initially, I could not have liberal thoughts; now, I can think without religious inclination.
References
Azimjon, A. (2021). History of Development of Humanistic Ideas. Neliti.
Totally History. (n.d.). David. Totally History.