The visual language greatly expanded during the Renaissance, when painters like Jan van Eyke began packing their paintings full of symbols, and expanding the possibilities of oil painting. Now, the language of paintings became covert and subtle, as opposed to the more obvious symbols of prior works. Scrolls indicating relationship the Old Testament and prophecy are prevalent, but now there are small carvings of saints, dogs representing fidelity, and discarded shoes representing holy ground. However, despite all of the innovation during this time, there is nothing being ‘reborn’ or rediscovered. The Renaissance was really more a resurgence in certain aspects of Ancient Rome.
You have to die to be reborn– so it’s much closer to a rejuvenation.