Why did Middle Age artists not sign their work?

Answer 1

The anonymity of most medieval artists reflects their social status. The artist was unimportant as it was the subject (usually religious) which was paramount. The artists were not seen as a genius or special he was simply a craftsman. Many artisits were monks.

The status of the medieval artist began to change in the 12th century. City artists took over as society shifted and the artists guilds gave them more status and power. The church had competition from other patrons such as the guilds and the wealthy merchant classes.

Signatures of artists become more widespread reflecting the gradual "ennoblement of the artist" (Castelnuovo 234) The first artist to be wanted for a painting just because it was painted by him was Leonardo da Vinci. A very serious Renaissance art collector named Isabella d'Este was desperate for his art, a bit like a collector wishing to buy a Picasso today.

Answer 2

Wanting a tattoo is not the sign of anything special in most cases. Some people aren't ready or prepared to get one at 18 or just don't feel its something they want. I know many people who got their first tat at 30-40 years old. Mid life crisis is usually a noted effort to act young and be young. I don't see a tattoo as doing that since people of all ages get them. You'll only have a problem if you get a red convertible and a trophy wife 1/2 your age, by the way she'd have to be big boobed and blond :-P If you want the ink, get it! Better to do the what if's then spend your life wondering about them.

Answer 3

The subject matter in the middle ages was nearly exclusively sacred. The art was not intended to portray a Madonna, but to portray Madonnaism. The sacred ideal or essence is the subject matter, and one does not claim credit in portraying these things. Renaissance artists were more vain, and signed everything except those artists like Raphael or Leonardo, and others, whose work was so identifiable that it was a form of vanity not to have to sign them.

Answer 4

Signing on the work of art is a present day practice.The aim is chiefly to legitimise artist's copyright over it. Second, it helps reveal the identitity of its creator to the viewers in exhibitions or competitive fora. Lastly ,the work being the medium of distinct style of a presenter , his profile was projected among the connoisseurs. No such things were being considered important in middle age art world.The few renowned artists were icons of art lovers . The work was enough to speak about the man behind it.

Answer 5

I wish I could back this up with a scholarly source, but I'm almost sure it was due to the Roman Catholic Church. Anyone that created anything the church didn't approve of was at risk for excommunication or banishment (or worse). That meant that not only did art have to reflect the morals of the church, but in some cases it essentially *required* the art to hold some significance to the religion or it wouldn't even be considered art.

Answer 6

During the middle ages, the painting was more imporant than the painter.

Answer 7

why do current artists sign their work.
it is a cultural phenomenon that was not there.

sort of like asking why don't we use snuff or something.
culture was different then. art ideas were different then.
they ate different foods and didn't have tv.
also no copyright laws etc.

Answer 8

The fact that a lot of them couldn't write has a lot to do with it.

A lot also painted religious subjects and thought it blasphemous to sign the painting.