Introduction

Art has been used throughout time as a form of expression. Each era comes with new techniques in its art forms. Along with the advances in the techniques, each art era depicts the current culture through the influence of social events, unique ideas, and new styles. Furthermore, the previous historical era’s style and characteristics influence the next era. By looking at the Renaissance and Baroque eras, specifically Michelangelo’s David and Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, cultural differences can be seen in each era’s art. The cultural differences between the Renaissance and Baroque eras are depicted in David and The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa through proportions, facial emotion, and movement. The proportions, facial emotion, and movement in the statues show the difference between the humanistic view of the Renaissance era’s, which is the classical idea of universal man with intellectual and physical excellence, and the dramatic Baroque era, which allows viewers to feel like they are participating in the religious experiences as they witness a religious experience of ecstasy with God.