Every era has its own intellectual and social dimensions the influence of which extend to
touch the artistic topics in terms of creativity and production conditions. The religious belief
is considered as an important effect on the whole historicall
y-successive artistic process. The
oppression exercised by the religious authority on creativity has always been present, but in
forms that differ from an era to another.
Viewing the religious theme embodied in art works, we will recognize that vast area achieved
throughout ages.
At early stages art rested on primitive, mysterious magic-based beliefs. Then art introduced a
physical representation of the images of the national gods and religious beliefs that used to
give explanations about the universe and glorify kings. Clergymen, then, started to identify
the boundaries and function of art in a way that served their goals. Christian religious men
continued to employ art for the sake of their messages and teachings with a controversy over
the role and limits of art. On the other side, Islamic art expanded but it neither served belief
nor subject to any religious guidance. With certain spiritual nature, such Islamic art might
have sought to avoid prohibition fatwas.
Finally, art could not be freed from religion scopes until Renaissance had come with its
human and mental spirit.
