Historical Anachronism
Medieval and Renaissance painting is filled with anachronism. This juxtaposition of biblical scenes taking place in contemporary setting was an expected and understood convention at the time these paintings were created, one that in the modern era has fallen from the visual vernacular, and seems strange or surreal to us. The intention of having, for example, Mary and the attendants wearing contemporary clothing was to make the teachings of the church come alive for a largely illiterate population. In many such paintings, an European Renaissance town is clearly recognizable in the background, further grounding the scene in a setting contemporary to the time it was created. Using the same principles updated to the realm of today, one might expect to see Mary dressed in jeans or a casual skirt and blouse, or a designer dress, depending on whether Mary is being portrayed as a commoner or royalty. This convention of anachronism was the norm until sometime in the 18th century when religious painting took on a nostalgic quality, with the biblical era figures and settings rooted firmly in the past.
Sint Jans tot Geertgen
Lamentation over the Dead Christ
1485-90
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

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