How Renaissance Art is Making a Return Through Retail

While sitting in European history class, half awake and attempting to focus your attention on a teacher describing every minute detail of “The Birth of Venus” does not sound appealing, the art being described is, nonetheless and straying from historical significance, intricately captivating. Renaissance art, taking form through humanistic ideologies but simultaneously portraying theological events, is unique and highly distinguishable from other forms of art. The various techniques of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Rafael were brought to life through the use of fine oil paints mainly in the colors of blues, yellows, whites, and reds. Upon evolving further, Renaissance paintings and artists evolved to what is more known as Neoclassical art, which birthed the iconic painting L’Amour et Psyché, enfants that features two baby angels kissing. The artist, William Adolphe Bouguereau, took direct inspiration from Renaissance techniques and paints in creating the painting in 1890, taking elements from Greek and Roman mythology of the story of Cupid. More specifically, the colored canvas brings to life the birthing of Cupid and Psyche’s love story which further represents the human connection between one’s heart and one’s soul. Further, these, known during the Renaissance as cherubs, and the stories of Cupid that accompanied them, were heavily depicted in Renaissance art. For example, Raphael’s Sistine Madonna features two cherubs at the bottom of the painting. Arguably his most famous work, the cherubs paved the way for numerous works to follow, including Bouguereau’s. 

Bouguereau’s painting and many other works featuring Cherubs, elongating in memory and beauty, can now be found modernized into everything from phone cases, bedding, and even clothing. It seems that specifically Bouguereau’s work is everywhere. It is found and being sold on a phone case from Wildflower Cases, a highly regarded trendy and mainstream phone case company represented by famous influencers that many teenagers idolize. The case is even being sold through Urban Outfitters, one of the single most mainstream retailers marketing towards teenagers and young adults. Further, multiple reviews from customers who bought the Renaissance-esque case state that they love the case because it is “trendy”. This modernization of Renaissance art has therefore become a trend that many retailers strive to recreate and place on any form of tangible item that will sell. Another prominent example from the highly considered fashionable and accessible retailer of Urban Outfitters, despite their many controversies, is a mesh mini skirt featuring angel cherubs with the same depicted oil paint and canvas technique of the Renaissance and most likely just a print of said painting. Along with the mini skirt, one can purchase a matching mesh long sleeve top with the same print. Without proceeding into further detail, extremely similar prints can be found in blankets, bedding, backpacks and even in, most surprisingly, lingerie. 

Now, the question arises: does this gentrification of famous, intended innocent, widely respected, and globally loved, not to mention historically significant, documentation, take away its meaning and beauty? The exploration of both sides is essential to understand and form your personal opinion. Let us explore both arguments. 

Concerning the narrative that the modernization of these prints is harmful to their original meaning, it is understandable that preserving historical value is essential. These Renaissance paintings represent arguably the most important period in all European history where humanism flourished, literature advanced, and life expanded. It was a defining moment in all of history. Many argue the fact that these paintings deserve a singular print and frame in a specific museum and not to be sold as anything but the original piece. Some go as far to say that the gentrification is exploiting the extensive work of artists like Rafael for profit. For example, the prints are being sewn together in international factories using child laborers by known brands such as Shein, further allowing the fast fashion industry to profit. While that is an issue in itself, the sentiment that historic artifacts are being almost degraded in that sense is understandable. However, whether this opinion is being held by the majority or gate-keeping historians is unknown.

I personally would argue the opposite of those who believe modernization of these pieces is wrong. Art cannot be contained or defined to a single being. Art is to be shared, cherished, and loved by all, which are, in fact, some of the main principles of the humanistic factors that the Renaissance followed. Whether the prints are being used on bedding or even lingerie is up to the producer and customer. These retailers are not claiming to have developed the prints themselves and quite frankly the original artists do not have the grounds to form an opinion on them, as they are no longer living. The argument can further be made that the products, such as the Wildflower phone case, can allow more people from a younger generation to adore and research Renaissance art and its true beauty: to be appreciated by all. The subtle change of using these prints in the fashion industry as well as other Renaissance fashion staples such as corsets that are additionally re-coming into trend allow historic European beauty to further flourish as they once did during a time of evolution. In a way, it also inspires young artists to pursue creating pieces with the same techniques, recreating the blossoming atmosphere that was present during the Renaissance. As cliché as it sounds, beauty does lay in the eyes of the beholder, making each opinion on this topic different but nonetheless important. Hopefully towards the future we, as a society, can continue to implement historical art from vastly different cultures and learn to appreciate them in our everyday lives.