History of british art

KHAN Moon 22201133

History of British Art

Theme: The influence of Religion on British Art.

Ways in which religion and religious morals have shaped British art?

Religion has always served as a major theme throughout British art history, It is used as a source of inspiration, patronage, and even as an argument of authority during the Protestant Reformation in 16th-century England. Therefore In this essay, we will try to answer the following question, in which ways religion and religious morals have shaped British art? To answer the question we will first focus on how religion introduced a certain trend that became popular in the following centuries. Then we will see how the Protestant Reformation impacted British art. Finally, we will see how religion is used to convey moral lessons and ethical principles.

Firstly, during the late 16th and early 17th century portraits especially miniaturist portraits and arts became a popular practice for the upper class. But where does the idea of miniaturist art come from? What we call today “miniature painting” developed from the older medieval art of illuminating handwritten books with colorful illustrations and decorative borders. One of the prime example of this is The Bury Bible created by Master Hugo in 1121-1148. The Bury Bible is a lavish illuminated manuscript that contains the text of the Old and New Testaments. It was made about It is adorned with intricate illustrations, miniatures, and decorative motifs. The miniatures in The Bury Bible are illuminated with such as red, blue, and gold. The miniatured are done in Byzantine style with Romanesque figures and Gotich script. This practice of miniature art later became very famous in the 17th century. Miniatures art during the 16th and 17th centuries was done in the same way as in the medieval period. They were these little fragile paintings on vellum with a liveliness made possible by the use of gold and silver paint.  Religion not only brought brilliant artistic technics to British art but also introduced notions such as through reforms such as iconoclasm.

Indeed, during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century England, countless of artworks were destroyed. Protestantism rejected many aspects of traditional Catholic religious practice, including idolatry of religious images. They deemed it as a sin; contrary to biblical teaching. As a result, Protestant reformers engaged in iconoclasm, they then proceeded to vandalize churches, smash religious statues and altarpieces, and whitewash religious murals. Iconoclasm was a result of coordinated action, rather than the work of an unruly mob. The act of iconoclasm was enforced by authorities such as the King, Henry VII. One of the major examples of iconoclasm is the statue of the Dead Christ. The sculpture has been described as one of the most important sculptures to survive the iconoclasm. It is a graphic portrayal of Christ removed from the cross. As we can see in the picture, several limps are missing (left hand and right leg). However, it is important to point out that iconoclasm also brought new types of images, it was also a creative process. Religion and religion not only brought a new type of art to British art, but it also shaped British art by conveying morals and ethical lessons through art.

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