Question

How does religion impact art?

Answer 1

In many ways.

Painting: religion has inspired a huge variety of painters. Some of their products are obviously religious. Others may contain hidden clues on religion.

Music: whether gospels, classics (several componists were inspired by religion), popsongs, classic religion songs (I know them in Christianity and Islam, but there may be more).

Literature: novels, short stories and poetry have a lot of religious origin.

Buildings: many churches, mosques and temples are pieces of art by themselves, or contain pieces of art.

Theatre: many theatre plays are based on religion.

Movies: actually not sure whether there are that many, but there definitely are.

Answer 2

Historically - fewer people were literate, so art was used more as a means of communication than it is now.In the past people were far more religious than they are now - so religious institutions also became the wealthiest as well - wealthy patrons would sponsor great works of art as acts of devotion/piety or to win favour from whichever manifestations of the Divine they were praying to.In order to attract pilgrims as well as wealthy patrons all places of worship tried to glorify the Divine with magnificent works of art.It wasn’t until til long after the renaissance that religion did not dominate art - more secular works of art being produced.The oldest art in existence - paintings on the walls of caves - appear to have religious themes