Final answer:
The human figure in Renaissance art symbolizes the Humanist idea of godlike beauty in humans, the scholarly pursuits of artists as intellectuals, and the societal elevation of ordinary individuals such as merchants in art.
Step-by-step explanation:
The importance of the human figure in Renaissance art is multifaceted, reflecting a blend of religious significance, classical Greek and Roman art forms, and the burgeoning philosophy of Humanism. One of the key principles of Renaissance Humanism was the belief in the inherent worth and beauty of the human being, seen as created in God's image. This intertwining of human beauty and divine likeness is vividly captured in Michelangelo's sculpture of David, epitomizing the Renaissance's ideal of a God-like human form, endowed with perfection and beauty, which was complemented by mathematical harmony.
Furthermore, the representation of the human figure was also a demonstration of intellectual endeavor. Artists of the High Renaissance, such as Leonardo da Vinci, were regarded as intellectuals and their art was considered a form of scientific and mathematical exploration, as they sought to recreate the human form with anatomical precision. Likewise, merging the human form with religious narrative, Bernini's artistic depiction of David conveyed not only the physical dynamism but also symbolized the church's struggle, underlining the support of divine power in human endeavors.
The human figure was not just the focus of sacred art; it also represented social structures and wealth during the Renaissance. For instance, in the Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, the subjects are members of the merchant class, depicted in a secular setting to display their wealth and status. This reflects the wider humanist context where ordinary human affairs, not just the divine or noble, were considered worthy of artistic representation.