The Renaissance did not merely lead to rebirth of learning but also to the rebirth of art. During the medieval times, the paintings and sculptures served as a tool for propagation of religion.

Even the colours which the painters could use were strictly regulated and any departure from the prescribed colours was considered impious. As a result, true art could not flourish and artists merely produced stiff and lifeless representa­tion of madonnas and saints.

The artists of the Renaissance period re­fused to abide by medieval rules and traditions. Inspired by the Greek artists they tried to paint portraits and carve statues as close to nature as possible. They adopted new artistic methods such as Frescoes for wall pictures; oil colours and woodcuts. No doubt, these painters continued to work on religious subjects but treated the subject in human and secular spirit and thereby effected a change in the very character of religion.

It is noteworthy that as the works of great painters of Ancient Greece had perished, the painters could not make any direct imitation of those paint­ings and were only influenced by the Greek spirit. The painters drew human body in which details of dress, muscle and hair were clearly visible. Some artists also painted lovely landscapes. Some of the prominent paint­ers of the Renaissance period were Leonardo da Vinci and Rapheal in Italy and Hobbe in Germany.