Giotto’s Lamentation and the Face of Christ: Renaissance Humanism in Catholic Perspective,

The Catholic view on Renaissance humanism has generally been positive, understanding it as an important cultural and intellectual movement that enriched Christian civilization. It especially views its 13th- through 15th-century forms as compatible with faith, where most of its works were grounded in the dignity of the human person created in God’s image (imago Dei). It celebrated human potential, classical learning, the beauty of nature, and realism in art—all of which could strengthen one’s appreciation of God’s creation.

Many Catholic figures played a key role in it: St. Francis of Assisi praised nature in his Canticle of Brother Sun (1224–1225); St. Thomas Aquinas integrated ancient philosophy with Catholic doctrine; and popes patronized grand projects by humanist artists. Works like Giotto’s Lamentation advanced art and remained profoundly Christian as well. ….