Despite being long gone, the Renaissance is a period many people view with great admiration. After all, it was a time that presented society with some of the best works in literature, philosophy, and, of course, art.
Some people appreciate that period so much, they might not even realize that their works resemble Renaissance artwork. Others, however, notice that right away and head straight to the ‘Accidental Renaissance’ subreddit to share it.
You probably already see where this is going, but yes, today we want to applaud some more of the excellent compositions that look like something that could have been painted back in the 14th-17th century. If you’re a fan of the subreddit, you already know that you’re about to see some wonderful pictures; if you haven’t yet familiarized yourself with it, well, you’re about to see some wonderful pictures. Either way, scroll down to find them on the list below and enjoy!
#1 My Wife At The Window
Image credits: howtokrew
#2 Pushing The Boat
Image credits: jonbristow
#3 A Monk In Italy. (Photographer: Steve Mccurry)
Image credits: rebeccavarnerj
According to the subreddit’s description, accidental Renaissance refers to “a photo that inadvertently resembles a painting similar in composition, style, lighting, and/or subject to Renaissance-style art.”
But the community doesn’t restrict itself to the period between the 14th-17th centuries only; they are accepting of pictures resembling other art movements— Baroque, Neo-classicism, and Romantic—too, which extend the timeframe from the 14th to the 19th century.
Started a decade ago, the subreddit has already amassed over a million Renaissance art enthusiasts.
#4 Shot In Lisbon In 2018
Image credits: Excellent_Ad_5824
#5 The Cat And The Star
Image credits: True-Badger-6993
Originating in Italy, the Renaissance—French for the word rebirth—was the time of the revival of interest in the classical learning and values of ancient Greece and Rome, the History Channel notes. It was a time when people’s curiosity resulted in a great deal of development, from exploration of new continents, to such inventions as the microscope, the telescope, the printing press, and even the good old pencil!
#6 Some Time Ago, I Captured This Moment Of My Little Daughter, Daring The Unknown
Image credits: Excellent-Shock7792
#7 Mom Doing Embroidery
Image credits: Complex-Fit
#8 Neighbor Under Heat Lamp
Image credits: diploid_impunity
According to the History Channel, the Renaissance was an especially significant time in regards to art. Just like the pictures shared on the subreddit, Renaissance artwork is characterized by encapsulating the experience of the individual and the marvels of the natural world. Emerging in the 14th century, the art movement reportedly peaked in the junction of the 15th-16th centuries, and presented the world with such art aficionados as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, just to name a few.
#9 The Sandwich
Image credits: thewonderfulfart
#10 On The Way
Image credits: StanisIao
#11 My Wife Sleeping This Morning
Image credits: irinanotirina
One of the three aforementioned masterminds, Leonardo da Vinci, was born in 1452 in Anchiano, a hamlet in the comune of Vinci in Italy. As a young teenager, at 14 years old, he started a nearly decade-long apprenticeship to an important figure at the time, sculptor, painter, and goldsmith Andrea del Verrocchio.
The apprenticeship is believed to be the time when da Vinci acquired knowledge in such fields as mechanics, carpentry, metallurgy, architectural drafting, and chemistry. Over the course of his career, the mastermind created not only a number of iconic paintings, such as the Last Supper, Lady with an Ermine, or Mona Lisa, but sketches for all sorts of machines, too, such as the ornithopter.
#12 Somewhere In Turkey [oc]
Image credits: Besusieni
#13 "Ça Pourrait Être Nous."
Image credits: The_Walking_Wallet
#14 My Boy Doug, Looking Like A Masterpiece From The Dutch Golden Age. Look At That Shadow And Light!
Image credits: SqAznPersuasion
Another genius of the Renaissance period, Michelangelo, was born in the village of Caprese near Florence, Italy (which is now named Caprese Michelangelo in honor of the artist), in 1475. He is believed to be the first artist to be recognized during his lifetime and his works are praised to this day, attracting millions of visitors each year. If you’re wondering what said works are, you must have heard of the Statue of David, which is now held in Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, or the iconic Madonna della Pietà (otherwise known simply as Pietà), located in the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
#15 Metaphysical Debate. My Mates And I Talking About Something At The Pub (2016 A.d)
Image credits: Brutalmoonshine
#16 In Solitude, We Are Least Alone. - Lord Byron
Image credits: PC_AKKU
#17 My Mother, Bridesmaid, 1970
Image credits: mozillaaa
Last but not least of the three iconic names from the Renaissance period, Raphael, too, left a significant footprint in the history of art, over less than four decades of his life. Born in the city of Urbino, in the Marches region of Italy, he learned the basics of painting from his father, a painter himself, Giovanni Santi. After the death of his father, at the age of only 11 years old, Raphael took over managing his father’s workshop and seemingly surpassed his success, becoming one of the finest painters in town. Over time, Raphael evolved into one of the greatest Renaissance painters, creating such masterpieces as Sistine Madonna, The Transfiguration, and Disputation of the Most Holy Sacrament.
#18 Friend From Ig Posted This. Permission Given To Post - Luigi_wolfit
Image credits: SamTom8792
#19 Swan Lake
Image credits: muc_dude
#20 Duality
Image credits: beka_targaryen
Whether it’s da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, or any other artist that the picture reminds the photographer of, if it has a Renaissance flavor to it, it is definitely worth sharing with the ‘Accidental Renaissance’ community. And if you haven’t yet taken a renaissance-like picture yourself, but you enjoy browsing the works of others, check out our previous edition on the subreddit next or take a look at these classical painting-based memes to marvel at a different kind of genius.
#21 I Took This Photo Of A Lady In Mexico And It Kind Of Feels Like A Vermeer Painting
Image credits: twitchy-y
#22 Florence Welch Performing
Image credits: village_Idiot333
#23 Camels Chilling At The Beach In Morocco
Image credits: HollyShitBrah
#24 My Wife Fell Asleep After A Shower
Image credits: BubblesPR
#25 The Chosen One
Image credits: Adventurous_Walk_271
#26 This Picture I Took At A Club
Image credits: SalamanderCrazy1871
#27 Our Pups Minding Their Manners
Image credits: billyllib
#28 My Husband Meeting Our Son For The First Time
Image credits: sweetandspooky
#29 First Contact With My Newborn Daughter
Image credits: kemkomacar95
#30 What's The Title Of This Renaissance Painting?
Image credits: FantaExoticFan
#31 Trouble
Image credits: viraghpe
#32 The Midwife
Image credits: Unimprester
#33 Hotel In Italy
Image credits: Accomplished_Love921
#34 The Drama Of The Commute - NYC
Image credits: devizeskayakphoto
#35 Tuckered Out
Image credits: WanderingDahlia82
#36 Gramps Breakfast
Image credits: CreamPain
#37 A Hesitant Dog
Image credits: dthchau
#38 This Photo I Captured Of The Bride During A Wedding
Image credits: NancyCookra
#39 Angela Merkel In Her Earlier Years With Fishermen - November 1990
Image credits: NussigeEcke
#40 Laundry
Image credits: CMonocle
#41 The Door
Image credits: wisdomWhisper
#42 An Unexpected Betrayal ( Not My Pic)
Image credits: sariaslani
#43 He Doesn’t Like It When The Neighbors Dog Visits
Image credits: MudAlertParis
#44 Split Second Snap On Cuba Street In Wellington, New Zealand
Image credits: Disastrous-Artist880
#45 While Hiking In Switzerland…
Image credits: DominusDK
#46 Letting My Mates Dogs In The Bed
Image credits: Sir_Lamorak_De_Gais
#47 Puppy Nap - Photo Of My Uncle From About 25 Years Ago
Image credits: akadanao
#48 Walked Into My GF Like This After My Shower
Image credits: muhfkrjones
#49 Cooling Bread In Ancient Bakery, Greece
Image credits: sammiecat1209
#50 Accidental Renaissance In The Birthplace Of The Renaissance
Image credits: Nnomi
#51 Italian Team Singing Their National Anthem
Image credits: Green-Eagle5116
#52 A Black Metal Show
Image credits: AdFluffy9286
#53 My Husband Celebrating With His Friends After Winning The Baseball State Championship, 2006
Image credits: DorsaAmir
#54 Shopkeeper In Morocco
Image credits: pazhampori58
#55 I Love This One
Image credits: DescriptionOne1703
#56 My Girlfriend Eating A Milkshake
Image credits: MonkeyKing70-
#57 Today In Buenos Aires
Image credits: graphicdesert
#58 Long Day At Universal Studios Theme Park
Image credits: moseschicken
#59 My Cousin Getting Nipped By A Horse
Image credits: piecesofg0ld
#60 My Wife Changing Our Newborn At Night
Image credits: shanghaitex84
#61 Window Of Desperation: Paperwork In A Middle Eastern Governmental Building
Image credits: Kloppzz
#62 This Picture Of Me Holding My Little Cousin While He Was Crying (He Hit His Head On Something For The 1000th Time)
Image credits: Sufficient-Exam-1050
#63 We Bought This Wedding Dress And Took This Photo An Hour Later
Image credits: Flashy-Reception647
#64 Newly Married Couple In Florence, June 2024
Image credits: EmperorAdamXX
#65 A Local Lacrosse Player Was Married. Here’s A Pic From The Reception
Image credits: Sugar_Phut
#66 My Dad In Hospital
Image credits: OkAd5998
#67 Picture Of My 6’6” Boyfriend In A Giant Chair Came Out Very Renaissance
Image credits: Liminade
#68 Party Boat This Weekend, Half Of Our Group Got Seasick
Image credits: RWENZORI
#69 A Cellist In The French National Orchestra Protects His Instrument From The Rain During The Olympics Opening Ceremony
Image credits: neomaxizoomdweeby
#70 Friends Visiting My Husband In The Hospital
Image credits: beka_targaryen
#71 Hard Tomorrow
Image credits: Satisfiedjeremie
#72 Fatigue
Image credits: disquieter
#73 I Was To Lazy Too Get Up, And My Wife Lovingly Brought Me A Sandwich
Image credits: Zion747
#74 Late Night Collapse - My Brothers And A Friend Collapsed Ok The Sofa After A Bachelor Party
Image credits: IlCiciarampa
#75 Chavez’s Statue Take Down In Venezuela (Today)
Image credits: Shoddy-Location-3597
#76 Diego Maradona After Failing A Drug Test For World Cup ‘94
Image credits: frostymasta
#77 Pain And Relief
Image credits: muc_dude
#78 To The Depths Below
Image credits: shaggy_mcgee
#79 Taser’s Kiss
Image credits: SilverbackMD
#80 Rural Ukrainian BBQ
Image credits: kohop91