Renaissance Art and Film: The Cinema of Pier Paolo Pasolini

Abstract

In this essay, the connections between art and film will be explored in depth in relation to Pasolini's cinematic oeuvre. The cinema of Pier Paolo Pasolini has many citations of Renaissance art. Containing both direct and indirect references to Renaissance art, Pasolini includes artwork from Giotto to Pontormo. These inclusions allow Pasolini to situate his films in relation to the historical narratives of the art he cites. The art historical narratives serve to further his own themes and visual language, and align him with the cinematic avant-gard.