Lierature and Art

Literature and art have led a close and mutually influential relationship through the ages. Literary works have influenced a predominant majority of artists from the great to the lesser and common. Michelangelo is considered by many as the greatest artist of the Renaissance and one whom was also greatly influenced by various literature. He grew up during a period of Enlightenment, which encouraged learning and the development of new ideas. Classical philosophies of Plato and Aristotle were rediscovered and became influential in determining the direction of the philosophy of art. For example, Artistole’s ‘Poetics’ became the basis for writings on the visual arts and also literature, as well as giving rise to ideas about the purpose and creation of art and beauty. Aristotle stated that words and an image have certain similarities. “Both imitate (and perfect) nature, and both do so through plot (word) or design (image), both employ narrative devices, and both tell many of the same stories.” This idea was employed by Michelangelo who based his works predominately on stories and images from the Bible (his famous fresco of the ‘Creation of Adam’ for example). Due in part to the fact that a large portion of his work was commissione

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