What enabled freer artistic expression during the Renaissance period?

Answer 1

The understanding of linear perspective, which had been lost during the time of the Roman Empire, was rediscovered during the Late Middle Ages. The understanding of human anatomy, and in fact the understanding of the anatomy of animals and structures of plants, were likewise learned in the Late Middle Ages. These technological accomplishments made it possible for Renaissance artists to create more realistically represented scenes. In addition to this, there were new media that had been developed, and the most important of these was probably oil based paints.

Other important developments for artists were the inventions of printing and engraving, both of which meant that artworks could be copied in large quantities for mass distribution. These, however lead to new restrictions on artistic expression, because they meant that it became important for the church and governments to control what artists produced in ways that were never before important. The inquisitions which had been largely absent during the middle ages, became powerful forces during the Renaissance.