The New Year’s Eve photo that has the Internet buzzing; some even called it ‘modern Renaissance art’

This New Year's Eve photo of Manchester has taken the fancy of the Internet, with some calling it a modern-day masterpiece.

This photograph was part of Manchester Evening News’ New Year’s Eve gallery, which later became an Internet phenomenon. (Source: Joel Goodman/Manchester Evening News)

There is this constant point of disagreement in the artist community: Which is better — classical arts or contemporary works? Till the world comes to a conclusion, this New Year Eve seems to have provided a point of convergence.

A picture by photographer Joel Goodman has taken up the netizens’ fancy, who have been comparing it to ‘modern Renaissance art’. The photo was part of the Manchester Evening News website’s New Year’s Eve party gallery under the the caption “Police hold on to a man while another lies in the road”.

It was probably this tweet that started it all — with more than 24,000 retweets:

So much going on this pic of New Year in Manchester by the Evening News. Like a beautiful painting. pic.twitter.com/szKKRM4U4i

— Roland Hughes (@hughesroland) January 1, 2016

And these ones called out to the Renaissance period:

modern renaissance art pic.twitter.com/jb9k5BAugh

— Elizabeth (@Elizigan) January 1, 2016

just saw that picture of New Year’s Eve in Manchester that’s doing the rounds. It’s like Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgement’ meets Shameless…

— The Spezial One (@OllyverTweet) January 1, 2016

Thereafter, the golden ratio was invoked:

Thanks to @GroenMNG for proving the golden ratio can be applied to this pic: pic.twitter.com/Fa1EYSV6ih

— Roland Hughes (@hughesroland) January 1, 2016

This picture’s composition is magical (and fits the golden ratio as has been said). https://t.co/yMbmSnM989

— Charles Arthur (@charlesarthur) January 1, 2016

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When a photo goes viral, photoshoppers can’t be far behind.

@northern_uproar They should repeat the famous ‘Madchester’ episode of The South Bank Show using that…

— The Spezial One (@OllyverTweet) January 1, 2016

@hughesroland @ajlanghorn I had a go at turning it into a watercolour with Waterlogue pic.twitter.com/MmbiZ0SsD3

— Ben Darlow (@kapowaz) January 1, 2016

@alexjc Here’s a #DeepForgery with methods of Preston Dickinson from est. 1926. https://t.co/d1n9uZ2CBR pic.twitter.com/WP7BpjhsuY

— The Deep Forger (@DeepForger) January 1, 2016

This one, quite obviously, takes the prize:

@hughesroland pic.twitter.com/B80KQGVP0t

— NOTLR (@NOTLR) January 1, 2016

Responding to the popularity of the photo across the Internet, the news website decided to bring in their expert views on the modern Renaissance piece (hover the mouse over the photo and the ‘i’).

Speaking to BuzzFeed, the photographer said he was delighted to see his photo being likened to Renaissance paintings. “It’s a lovely and flattering comparison, especially in the context of a category of photography that’s too often derided,” Goodman said.