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Viktorija Ošikaitė

50 Photos That Unintentionally Resemble “Accidental Renaissance” (New Pics)

Italy

In a world where it takes us several tries to get a good selfie, there are those who manage to take serendipitous snapshots accidentally. Whether it’s the natural lighting, compositional finesse, or rich color palette, some photos evoke the timeless beauty and elegance of the Renaissance era.

And today we are delving into the world of these unintentional artworks with the ‘Accidental Renaissance' subreddit. This online community showcases images that kind of look like well-composed Renaissance paintings. Enjoy our latest list of their aesthetic photos of the past era.

#1 How Beautiful Are These Chickens

Image credits: oldbailey_newbird

#2 A Pic I’ve Taken In A Festival

Image credits: angele_bssx

#3 My Wife Just Out Of The Shower Checking Email

Image credits: mikelgan

A lot of people define the Renaissance as the post-Medieval European "rebirth" of arts, politics, economy, and culture. It roughly took place from the 14th to 17th century. During this period, people witnessed a lot of artistic and intellectual growth. It was like upgrading from the Middle Ages to a more modern way of thinking and doing things.

The eloquence of Renaissance art is admired by many even today. With over 1 million followers, the ‘Accidental Renaissance' subreddit stands as a testament to people’s enduring passion for artistic expression.

#4 Taken At A Wedding

Image credits: FeelingAd1741

#5 Easter In Ukraine

Image credits: FeartheNaeNae

#6 The Beauty Of Andalusian Horses

Image credits: simplepastense

With a rich cultural past and affluent residents who could afford to encourage aspiring artists, Florence, Italy, is often credited with sparking the Renaissance. The movement was well-backed by members of the Medici family, who controlled Florence for over 60 years.

Originally, members of the family gained wealth and influence through banking. Over time, they had established themselves as prominent financiers and merchants in the city. They then used their vast wealth to support the arts by commissioning works.

#7 My Cats During A Lazy Morning Scuffle

Image credits: nbsoprano

#8 A Cellphone Shot Through Glass Doors Of My Friends On Their Wedding Day

Image credits: BertieTheBeaver

#9 Dnipro (Ukraine) Rescue Worker

Image credits: _walk

Prominent Italian authors, painters, statesmen, and others declared they were taking part in a revolution in art and thought that would be very different from what they had known during the Dark Ages. Initially, the movement spread to neighboring city-states in Italy, including Rome, Bologna, Venice, Milan, and Ferrara.

Then, in the fifteenth century, ideas from the Renaissance moved from Italy to France and eventually to other parts of western and northern Europe. Even while the Renaissance came to other European nations later than it did Italy, its effects were nonetheless revolutionary.

#10 Children At The Aquarium

Image credits: Beautiful_Flower8375

#11 Loneliness

Image credits: Bunnes68

#12 Cat Stares At Dry Paint

Image credits: Donkitten

It was during this period that some of the greatest thinkers, writers, statesmen, scientists, and artists in human history flourished, and European trade was able to expand into new regions and cultures thanks to global discovery. Many European explorers had started sailing across uncharted waters to find new trade routes, resources, and territories.

#13 Solar Charging Pup In Rest

Image credits: Analiebaby

#14 Dragonflies In A Local Pond

Image credits: Splashmagnet

#15 Found Them Sleeping In The Same Position

Image credits: Mike-ButWhichOne

Eventually, as a result of their explorations, commercial outposts were established in far-off places, allowing the exchange of products and civilizations. Some of the famous Renaissance personalities include Galileo (1564-1642), Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), and William Shakespeare (1564–1616), among many others.

Two of the most well-known pieces of art in history were painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance: the Last Supper (c. 1495–98) and the Mona Lisa (c. 1503–19).

#16 This Snake Looks Like It Just Escaped Shawshank

Image credits: Im-Necessary-Evil

#17 Does This Pic Of My Doggy On My Bed Qualify As Accidental Renaissance?

Image credits: ChicnahueCoatl1491

#18 Mom Giving Me A Perm In The Basement

Image credits: Susiejax

Realism and naturalism were hallmarks of Renaissance painting. Many artists tried their best to represent their subject as truthfully as possible. They avoided using unrealistic, exotic, or magical themes in their work, as well as artistic clichés.

Artists didn’t add any element of artificiality in their work. Realism presents reality as it exists and that’s what creators aimed for.

#19 The Lighting, The Longing, The Depiction Of Criminal And Her Crime (Please Keep In Mind This Is Someone's Pet And Don't Be Rude About Her Species)

Image credits: Breaditta

#20 The Lady Doth Sun Herself

Image credits: VanessaCardui93

#21 Lady And Her Thoughts, London. Lumix S5

Image credits: AvarageTimmy

Unlike Medieval art, paintings from the Renaissance depicted human emotions liberally. This change was driven by a growing interest in humanism during that period. Artists wanted to capture the beauty, complexity, and individuality of human experiences.

They even went on to study anatomy and keenly observed the world around them in order to hone their skills. Their work is known for capturing minute details like gestures, emotions, and expressions with remarkable precision.

#22 iPhone At Night=painting ?

Image credits: friendsaretheworst

#23 A Bird Obstructing My View

Image credits: Mean_Instruction3753

#24 “At The Alter Of Bad Decisions”

Image credits: datphantomtheive

Naturalism emerged in Renaissance art. In Italian painter and architect Giotto's paintings from the Proto-Renaissance, naturalistic elements started to resurface. He added more lifelike forms whose expressions, postures, movements, and eye contact revealed an extraordinary spectrum of emotions.

Additionally, they were arranged in a way that created a narrative flow and gave the impression of depth through the use of overlapping figures.

#25 "Totally Not A Cat Person"

Image credits: MangoUpAndGrowAPear

#26 Ask For A Light

Image credits: ExperienceCorrect800

#27 Cat And Her Favorite Person

Image credits: dereklmaoalpha

During that time artists were focused on capturing the imperfections of daily lives on a canvas. However, these days many of us simply want the ‘perfect’ photos. We try to click flawless pictures that have good lighting and composition. We even use editing tools to enhance our appearance or improve the overall aesthetic of the image.

And sometimes people accidentally capture photos that match the realistic standards of the Renaissance era. Which of these ‘Accidental Renaissance' photos took you back in time? Have you ever tried clicking such a Renaissance inspired photo? Tell us your experience in the comments below!