The Adaptation of Greek Myths in the Renaissance Era
- achillesreel
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Amelia
The Renaissance was a period between the 14th and the 17th Century which saw a resurgence and rebirth of classical art, literature, and philosophy, in conjunction with the formation of new ideas. Key artists during this era turned to mythology not only as subjects of their pieces, but as a way to convey deeper meanings about humanity, morality, and religion.
The humanist movement was of the most significant ways that Ancient Greek art influenced Renaissance Art: there was a heavy focus on the ideals the Ancient Greeks had previously held, such as the pursuit of harmony, the study of the human body, and the importance of the individual.
One notable example of Ancient Greek influence in Renaissance art is Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”. The painting is a depiction of the moment described by Roman poet Ovid, when Venus emerges onto the shores of Cyprus in a shell. She is met there by a young woman who holds out a flower-covered cloak for Venus to wear. The colours used in the painting are reminiscent of the Ancient Greeks, but Botticelli also includes elements that are central to the Renaissance period, such as the focus on harmony and balance when painting the figures. The painting was also innovative: it was the first Tuscan painting to be done on canvas. The use of alabaster powder also made the colours brighter and more timeless.
Another example of Renaissance taking inspiration from Ancient Greece is Titian’s “Bacchus and Ariadne”. The painting depicts the moment in the famous story of Theseus and Ariadne, when Bacchus, the God of Wine, first sees Ariadne and asks for her hand in marriage, promising her a crown of stars as a wedding gift. Bacchus is painted whilst he is mid air, his left foot still on the chariot, his right foot hovering above the ground, an effective portrayal of the depth of his new love. Ariadne’s conflicting emotions are captured: her arms and legs are outstretched as if to flee, and she is twisting away from Bacchus. This indicates mistrust, which is understandable considering she had just been abandoned by Theseus. However, she still looks at him with interest and perhaps a glimmer of hope. There is a man in the painting with two snakes wrapped around him, a symbol of archaeological discoveries in the Renaissance era: in 1506, the Lacoon statue was unearthed, the first of its kind. In the sky, the constellation of corona borealis can be seen, Titian’s indication of his understanding of the myth as in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Bacchus throws the crown of Ariadne into the sky, where it becomes the Northern Crown.
It can be seen that despite taking large inspiration from Ancient Greek and Roman myths, a large proportion of Renaissance art is also used to symbolise the values of the time. For instance, the pure and chaste depiction of Venus in Botticelli’s painting reflects the integral role religion had in European society.
The legacy of these artworks will continue to endure and help shape our modern understanding of classical myths, and the Renaissance period.
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