[annalex]

The religiously individualistic mindset of the West since the Renaissance is particularly suited to Protestantism

This is a bit off-target, it seems. Renaissance is something quite antithetical to Protestantism, at least in its glorious Heaven-meets-Earth saints-filled celebratory art and architecture style. No wonder its main engine, Italy, was never in the least interested in Protestantism. I would say that Protestatism catered to the emerging artizan and merchant class, but absence of strong monarchies was actually more pronounced in the European Middle Ages than at the time when Protestantism came on the scene.

Madonna and Child with Saints

Andrea da Firenze

1360-62
Wood
Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence

Suited to Protestantism?

[Kolokotronis]

Alex, read what I wrote...since the Renaissance, not on account of the Renaissance!

[caww]

Suited to Protestantism?

Not for my taste. Not at all. Though some might appreciate the artists of that time I’d rather hang works of my own family.

[Forest Keeper]

Renaissance is something quite antithetical to Protestantism, at least in its glorious Heaven-meets-Earth saints-filled celebratory art and architecture style.

Yes, I quite agree. I think Renaissance thinkers tried to reconcile or define the relationship between God and man as a function of man. By using man as the starting point to try to develop an all-encompassing "theory of everything" they were utterly doomed. I read in a book by Francis Schaeffer that Leonardo died a heart broken man because he was never able to come up with a unifying theory of God and man. His presuppositions put man at the center. We Reformers completely reject this approach since we emphasize God's sovereignty so much. Our starting point is always God.