ART Middle Ages v. Renaissance Religious subject matter Important figures are shown as larger than others around them Figures look stiff with little sense of movement Fully clothed Faces were serious and showed little emotion. Flat and two-dimensional Backgrounds were one color Artists showed religious and non-religious scenes Art reflected great interest in nature Figures were life-like and three-dimensional, reflecting an increasing knowledge of anatomy Bodies looked active and were shown moving Nude or clothed Faces expressed what people were thinking Colors were shown responding to light (shadows, shading, etc.) Paintings were balanced and symmetrical Full backgrounds show perspective http://www.ehow.com/info_8486784_medieval-art-characteristics.html http://www.ehow.com/how_4566877_renaissance-art.html