Final answer:
Most medieval art depicted people with a focus on symmetry and spirituality, using a rigid and expressionless style. Art post-Reformation shifted towards a clearer and more accurate depiction of biblical narratives. The Renaissance marked a further shift towards realism and individualistic representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medieval art commonly depicted people in a manner that emphasized spirituality and symbolism over naturalistic representation. Jamb sculptures, for instance, were characterized by a symmetrical and stiff posture, appearing rigid and incapable of movement. This artistic choice was deliberate to make the figures appear otherworldly and express an air of spirituality, suitable for their placements at the doorways of churches. They lacked individual expressions and were designed to convey a sense of eternal, unchanging presence.
In contrast, following the Protestant Reformation, there was a significant shift in how artists depicted religious figures and scenes. Influenced by criticisms of the Catholic Church, art aimed to portray narratives accurately and clearly. This focus on theological messages over embellished painterly effects meant a reduction in iconic images of Christ, the saints, and clergy in favor of more narrative scenes from the Bible and moralistic representations of life.
Even though these traditions persisted for over a millennium and had considerable variety depending on factors like the media, scale, and period, medieval art paved the way for the subsequent Renaissance humanist painting. With the Renaissance, there was a move towards greater realism, with artists implementing new techniques such as the use of shadows, a sense of gravity, and perspective that appeared astonishingly realistic to viewers of that time. These innovations made a clear departure from the medieval imagery.