When considering the effect of long-range propagandistic activities, no campaigns have been more successful than those waged by the great proselytizing religion of Christianity. Moreover, that propagandist’s symbolism can be found almost in all spheres of human life. Therefore, we can consider art as the most long-lasting mean of this propaganda.
The medieval period is significant for its inseparability from religion. It is obvious that art had also undergone its influence. Most works of art created in the medieval period revealed only religious themes, the depiction of which was usually not naturalistic. The non-realistic depiction of people and backgrounds was common in artworks of that period. Human images had little in common with their natural look; many different details were used in the backgrounds as both propaganda and philosophy were theocentric in that period.
The church was the main medium of propaganda with Biblical tales on the walls, various moral lessons on the stones, etc. The main task of these artworks was to inspire and awe the people, to show the greatness and almightiness of God. However, sometimes propaganda was performed in quite unexpected ways as an example we can provide churches built in the so-called “French-style”. Later during the Renaissance, critics disrespectfully called it “Gothic”. Many critics found reference to barbarian tribes (Goths) and their lack of culture. This was regarded as an act of disrespect for pre-Christian symbolism and was indirect propaganda of Christianity.
The beginning of the Renaissance period marked the influence of so-called humanism on the Arts. For this reason, artworks of religious content became gradually more realistic and natural. An array of art masterpieces began to emerge, as new extraordinary artists appeared.
The Christian values were a general target for religious propaganda at those times. The most successful contributors to that cause were painters, sculptors, architects, and artists in general. Their works were aimed to propagate and teach the Gospel among those, who were illiterate. Many artworks had specific messages, understandable for a wide range of people who lived at that time (Woods, 2007). One of the most significant roles in the art of those times was also played by church paintings and frescoes, depicting scenes from the Bible.
As an example, we can provide the frescoes Michelangelo’s painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a large chapel in the Vatican City, which took its name after Pope Sixtus IV and has served as the residence for the papal conclave for centuries. Michelangelo Buonarroti lived in the XV-XVI centuries and was a very talented and outstanding architect, sculptor, and painter. The frescoes of the Sistine Chapel are among his most famous works.
The process of painting the ceiling frescoes took four years and it is believed to be the best Renaissance masterpiece of religious content (Forcellino, 2009). The Sistine Chapel has been known to have a collection of frescoes, with the unanimity of purpose: to glorify God in the Divine creative mode. There is an overall plan of the chapel and every fresco scene has its own theological story to tell in relationship with others.
Michelangelo’s frescoes depicted main vital scenes and events for Christianity, in such a way propagating the power and wisdom of God, the necessity of following the Ten God’s Commandments, and imperativeness of respecting all Christian values. Taking into account the popularity of Michelangelo’s works and their significance in the modern world culture we can state, that Christian propaganda still works and does it well.
It should be made clear that the aspects of propaganda of Christian religion should not be considered as negative phenomena (not taking into consideration inquisition and crusades) as long as they propagate the best human or divine qualities and values.
References
Forcellino, A. (2009). Michelangelo: A Tormented Life, Cambridge, Polity Press.
Woods, K. (2007). Making Renaissance Art, London, Yale University Press.