How did the Reformation influence art in Protestant countries?

The Reformation significantly influenced art in Protestant countries by leading to a decline in religious art and shifting the focus toward moral and educational themes. This was largely due to the Protestant movement's critical stance on the veneration of saints and the use of religious imagery, which were prevalent in Catholic traditions. As Protestant reformers emphasized personal faith and direct connections to scripture, they discouraged the creation of elaborate religious paintings that were meant to invoke reverence towards saints or the Virgin Mary.

In this context, artists began to produce works that reflected moral lessons or depicted everyday life, often drawn from biblical narratives without the lavish ornamentation characteristic of Catholic art. This change was driven by the need to educate and inspire the faithful, emphasizing individual interpretation of religious texts rather than the hierarchical teachings of the Church, which had dominated the previous artistic approaches.

The other options do not accurately represent the impact of the Reformation. The creation of elaborate religious paintings is more associated with Catholic traditions rather than Protestant beliefs, and abstract expressionism emerged much later, in the 20th century, well after the Reformation period. While making art more accessible could be seen in some contexts, the primary artistic shift during the Reformation revolved around the nature and themes of the artwork itself, rather than