As we move into further into the digital age, the topic of art and media preservation becomes more of a pressing issue. An unfortunate fact of life is that all art is at risk of eventual decay. While restoration experts do exist, not all attempts at restoring art go smoothly. However, in all this, the Resident Evil franchise might have been an unlikely champion of art preservation the entire time.
I’d first noticed this a few years ago when I replayed Resident Evil Remake, for this replay I intended to play as slow and as casually as possible. My goal was to take in all the atmosphere, savor all the camera angles, and simply appreciate the sheer artistry of the game. That was when I noticed a piece of art on a wall, it was noticeably higher-res than most of the other textures.
Then it hit me… I recognize this!
Resident Evil Remake (2002)
It’s a Caravaggio painting! Judith Beheading Holofernes. Reproduced in all its glory, in a videogame.
I was pleasantly surprised. The art buff in me was intrigued, and this led me down a deep rabbit hole of scouring the Resident Evil games for reproductions of other pieces of fine art.
I’ve spent so much time doing this that it has become something of a hobby of mine.
Here is some of what I’ve found during my playthroughs of various Resident Evil titles:
More from Resident Evil Remake (2002):
Proserpine (c.1874) | Dante Gabriel RossettiSacrifice of Isaac (c.1603) | Caravaggio
What’s really cool is that this trend of using public domain art hasn’t slowed down any in modern titles either…
Resident Evil 4 (2005):
The School of Athens (c.1509-1511) | Raphael
Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019):
This one is a bit unique as it seems to be an amalgamation of two different pieces of art.
21st Century Venus and Cherub by Waterfall (c. Unknown), The Bath of Venus (c.1751) | No Attribution, François BoucherWoman in a Riding Habit (c.1856) | Gustave Courbet
Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020):
The Flower Girl (c.1846) | Charles Cromwell InghamVirgin and Child with Four Angels (c.1515) | Gerard DavidStudy of a Woman’s Head (c.1780) | Jean-Baptiste Greuze
Resident Evil 7 (2017):
Saint Jerome Writing (c. 1615) | José de Ribera
And many more….
Resident Evil and fine art go together so well that it’s easy to overlook these details. The choices of art are all so perfect in setting the mood of the locations that they’re present in.
I’ve not explored any of the demos for Resident Evil Village, but considering that it seems to take place mostly in a castle, I suspect that it will also have its fair share of art reproductions. I honestly can’t wait to experience the full game and do some art hunting again.
Hopefully, this may have inspired you to pick up some Resident Evil titles and do the same.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.