The Protestant condemnation of religious art resulted in iconoclasm across Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. What is iconoclasm?
A. a surge in religious art in Catholic countries
B. the destruction of religious images and icons
C. an agreement to create only secular art
The answer is B. Iconoclasm refers to the destruction or rejection of religious images and icons. It typically occurred during periods of religious reform or when a religious group considers such images to be idolatrous or against their beliefs.
To find the answer to this question, you can understand the meaning of the term "iconoclasm" itself. Breaking it down, "icono-" refers to icons or images, and "-clasm" comes from the Greek word "klasis," which means to break or shatter. By this analysis, iconoclasm can be inferred to refer to the destruction or rejection of religious images and icons.
In the context of the Protestant Reformation in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, many Protestant groups condemned religious art and considered it to be idolatrous and against their interpretation of biblical teachings. This led to iconoclasm, where religious images and icons were destroyed, often resulting in significant changes in the religious culture and practices in Europe during that time.